What does a low percentage of monocytes indicate?
Disease description:
Recently, I have been experiencing recurring fever. After going to the hospital for tests, I found that my monocyte percentage is low. What does a low monocyte percentage indicate?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Monocytes are a type of white blood cell in the human immune system, primarily responsible for phagocytosing and eliminating pathogens, aging cells, and foreign substances in the body. A low percentage of monocytes may indicate the following conditions:
1. Decreased immunity: Monocytes are an important component of the immune system. A low percentage may suggest reduced immunity, making the body more susceptible to infections.
2. Chronic diseases: Hematologic disorders such as leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as infectious diseases like tuberculosis, may lead to a decreased monocyte percentage.
3. Excessive fatigue: Following prolonged sleep deprivation or heavy physical labor, the body may become overly fatigued, leading to a transient decrease in the absolute monocyte count.
4. Anemia: Various types of anemia, such as hemolytic anemia and aplastic anemia, may cause a reduction in monocyte count, resulting in a lower percentage.
5. Physiological decrease: In some cases, a low monocyte percentage may be physiological and have no significant clinical implications, requiring no specific treatment.
If accompanied by other symptoms or abnormal indicators, prompt medical attention is recommended.
