High or low levels of either one can indicate health problems.
However, the number of neutrophils to lymphocytes is an essential biomarker.
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reveals the severity of the health problem and guides treatment decisions.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
Neutrophils and Lymphocytes
Neutrophilsare the first responders when inflammation begins.
Lymphocyteshave a slower but still important response to inflammation.
The release of natural stress hormones regulates the levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes within the body.
When their levels are low, the body may be experiencing severe stress.
That information is used to calculate the NLR.
The NLR provides insight into the body’s stress levels and inflammatory status.
An NLR level above 6 is an indicator of severe inflammation.
In severe illness, the NLR may go as high as 100.
Causes
There are many potential causes of an elevated NLR.
As a result, it’s not diagnostic.
Your healthcare provider will complete a full evaluation and additional tests as needed before recommending a treatment.
The NLR may be most useful for predicting the severity of an infection.
However, the NLR may not be accurate for all conditions.
Interpreting the NLR must be done in context with other laboratory and blood tests.
It also suggests a poor prognosis (long-term outcome) for those with chronic liver and cardiovascular disease.
Summary
High neutrophils and low lymphocytes represent an elevated NLR ratio.
If you see high neutrophils and low lymphocytes on your lab report, discuss it with your healthcare provider.
2017;12(7):e0181704.
2014;106(6):dju124.
2018;52:131-136. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2017.11.008
National Human Genome Research Institute.Lymphocyte.
Zahorec R.Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, past, present and future perspectives.Bratisl Lek Listy.
2017;10(1):12.
In:Atlas of Hematopathology (Second Edition), 2018.
2017 Apr;69 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S46-S50.
2019;49(1):e13037.
doi:10.1111/eci.13037
Dogru M, Yesiltepe Mutlu RG.The evaluation of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in children with asthma.Allergol Immunopathol (Madr).
2022 Jan 20;14(1):e21446.
2016 Jul 18;95(28):e0916].Medicine (Baltimore).
2016;95(23):e3832.
2020;18(1):206. doi:10.1186/s12967-020-02374-0
