MLR compares monocytes and lymphocytes to show immune balance and possible inflammation.
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Clinicians may check MLR to understand immune activity alongside infections, recovery, or chronic conditions. It adds context to a complete blood count and other inflammation markers, and helps track trends over time. It’s most useful together with symptoms and other tests, not on its own. You can test this marker with Aniva across Germany and Finland.
Clinicians may check MLR to understand immune activity alongside infections, recovery, or chronic conditions. It adds context to a complete blood count and other inflammation markers, and helps track trends over time. It’s most useful together with symptoms and other tests, not on its own. You can test this marker with Aniva across Germany and Finland.
High: May reflect greater immune activation from inflammation, recent infection, stress, or steroid use. Consider rechecking after recovery and review medicines with your clinician.
Low: May reflect relatively higher lymphocytes or lower monocytes. Look at symptoms and the full CBC differential. Trends and clinical context matter more than a single value; use this result with other tests.
Common factors that can skew results include acute infections, recent vaccines, stress, hard exercise, smoking, dehydration, and alcohol. Medicines like corticosteroids, beta-agonists, or lithium can raise white cells and shift the ratio. Pregnancy and time of day can subtly change counts. Delayed handling or clotted samples may affect the differential.
Special situations: confirm or adjust results during pregnancy, after surgery or acute illness, while on chemotherapy or long-term steroids, or after splenectomy.
What does my MLR result mean? It shows the balance of two white blood cell types. Higher values may signal more immune activity; use with other results.
Do I need to fast for this test? No. Fasting does not typically affect MLR.
What can affect my MLR? Recent illness, stress, hard exercise, smoking, dehydration, pregnancy, and medicines like steroids can shift the ratio.
How often should I test it? Usually only when your clinician is tracking a trend or follow-up. Many people do not need frequent checks.
How long do results take? Most labs report within 1–2 business days.
What should I discuss with my clinician? Share symptoms, recent infections or vaccines, and all medicines and supplements, and review how this fits with your CBC and CRP.
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