Types of lymphocytes - #7324

A few weeks ago, I had some routine blood work done, and my doctor mentioned that my lymphocyte count was slightly higher than normal. I wasn’t really sure what that meant, but after looking into it, I saw that there are different types of lymphocytes, and each one plays a different role in the immune system. Now I’m wondering if the specific type of lymphocyte that’s elevated can help figure out what’s going on with my health. From what I’ve read, the three main types of lymphocytes are B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. But I don’t really understand what each one does. My doctor didn’t seem too concerned about my results, but I’ve been feeling really run down lately, like I’m constantly fighting something off. Does a high lymphocyte count always mean an infection, or could it be something else? And do certain types of lymphocytes increase for different reasons? I also saw that T cells have different subtypes, like helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells. Does a regular blood test differentiate between these, or would I need a more specific test? If certain types of lymphocytes are elevated, does that point toward a viral infection rather than a bacterial one? I had a mild cold a few weeks before my test—could that still be affecting my results? Another thing I’ve been wondering is whether autoimmune diseases can cause an increase in lymphocytes. I have a family history of autoimmune conditions, and lately, I’ve had joint pain and unexplained fatigue. If certain types of lymphocytes are high, does that mean my immune system could be overactive? Should I ask for more tests to check for autoimmune markers? I guess my main question is, what does an elevated lymphocyte count actually mean in practical terms? And if it’s only slightly high, should I just wait and get retested later, or could it be an early sign of something I should look into now? If anyone has had abnormal lymphocyte levels before, did you find out what was causing it, and did it go back to normal on its own?