Overview
NLR is a calculated metric from a standard CBC. It reflects the balance between the innate (neutrophil) and adaptive (lymphocyte) immune systems. Elevated NLR is a strong predictor of mortality and systemic inflammation.
Health Goals Impacted 1
This item supports, tracks, or is required for the following health goals:
Key metric for physiological stress and infection risk.
A Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) below 2.0 suggests a balanced immune system. A rising NLR often precedes clinical symptoms of infection or indicates chronic systemic stress.
Neutrophils are the "first responders" of innate immunity, while lymphocytes represent the "special forces" of adaptive immunity. A high ratio indicates an overactive, non-specific response (inflammation) coupled with a depleted specific response, a hallmark of poor outcomes in critical illness.