Surreal illustration of intestine transforming into a blood drop, symbolizing blood test markers and intestinal health.

Could a Simple Blood Test Predict Your Risk of Deadly Intestinal Issues?

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios can help forecast outcomes in acute mesenteric ischemia."

Imagine a scenario where a common, seemingly routine blood test could provide critical insights into your risk of developing a life-threatening condition. Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), a condition involving a sudden decrease in blood supply to the intestines, is notoriously difficult to diagnose and carries high mortality rates. But what if readily available markers in your blood could offer an early warning sign?

New research is exploring exactly this possibility. Scientists have been investigating the potential of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)—markers easily derived from standard blood tests—to predict outcomes in patients with acute mesenteric arterial embolism (AMAE) and acute mesenteric arterial thrombosis (AMAT), two major causes of AMI.

This article breaks down the findings of this research, explaining what NLR and PLR are, why they matter, and how they could potentially revolutionize the way we approach the diagnosis and management of acute mesenteric ischemia. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply interested in the latest advancements in medical diagnostics, this is what you need to know.

What are NLR and PLR, and Why are They Important?

Surreal illustration of intestine transforming into a blood drop, symbolizing blood test markers and intestinal health.

Before diving into the specifics of the study, it's crucial to understand what NLR and PLR represent. These ratios offer a snapshot of the balance between different types of cells in your blood, providing clues about the level of inflammation in your body.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Neutrophils: These are white blood cells that play a key role in your immune system's response to infection and injury. An elevated neutrophil count often indicates acute inflammation or stress.
Lymphocytes: Another type of white blood cell, lymphocytes are crucial for fighting off chronic infections and maintaining immune balance. A lower lymphocyte count can suggest chronic inflammation or immune suppression.
Platelets: These are blood cells that help with clotting. Elevated platelet counts can be associated with inflammation or certain blood disorders.

The NLR and PLR essentially put these counts into perspective. An elevated NLR, for instance, suggests a higher level of acute inflammation relative to immune balance, while a high PLR may indicate inflammation-driven changes in platelet activity. In various diseases, including cancers and cardiovascular conditions, these ratios have already proven to be valuable prognostic markers.

What Does This Mean for the Future of AMI Diagnosis?

This research adds another layer to our understanding of how readily available blood markers can aid in predicting outcomes for serious conditions like AMI. While more extensive, multi-center studies are needed to validate these findings, the potential is clear: leveraging NLR and PLR could lead to earlier interventions, better patient management, and ultimately, improved survival rates. By keeping an eye on these simple blood test values, healthcare providers may be able to identify high-risk individuals sooner and provide the swift care needed to combat this life-threatening condition.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.avsg.2018.01.059, Alternate LINK

Title: Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio And Platelet-To-Lymphocyte Ratio Are Effective Predictors Of Prognosis In Patients With Acute Mesenteric Arterial Embolism And Thrombosis

Subject: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Journal: Annals of Vascular Surgery

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Shuai Wang, Han Liu, Qi Wang, Zhihua Cheng, Siqiao Sun, Yang Zhang, Xiwei Sun, Zhongying Wang, Liqun Ren

Published: 2018-05-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and what information do they provide?

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are calculated values derived from a standard blood test. NLR represents the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes, offering insight into the balance between acute inflammation and immune response. PLR represents the ratio of platelets to lymphocytes, indicating inflammation-driven changes in platelet activity relative to immune balance. Elevated NLR and PLR values can suggest increased inflammation and potential risk in conditions like acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI).

What is acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), and what are acute mesenteric arterial embolism (AMAE) and acute mesenteric arterial thrombosis (AMAT)?

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a serious condition involving a sudden reduction of blood supply to the intestines. Acute mesenteric arterial embolism (AMAE) and acute mesenteric arterial thrombosis (AMAT) are major causes of AMI. AMAE occurs when an embolism blocks an artery, while AMAT involves the formation of a blood clot within an artery. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in both conditions to prevent intestinal damage and improve survival rates.

What does it mean if my neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) or platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is elevated?

Elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) suggests a higher level of acute inflammation compared to immune balance, often indicating the body's response to infection, injury or stress. An elevated platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) may indicate inflammation-driven changes in platelet activity. While these ratios are not diagnostic for any specific condition, they provide valuable prognostic information when combined with clinical evaluation. Further investigation may be needed to determine the cause of the elevated ratios.

How could monitoring neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) change how acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is managed in the future?

The study suggests that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) could potentially revolutionize the approach to diagnosing and managing acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) by providing early warning signs. By monitoring these simple blood test values, healthcare providers may be able to identify high-risk individuals sooner, leading to quicker interventions, better patient management, and improved survival rates. However, these findings require validation through more extensive, multi-center studies before they can be widely implemented.

If neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) indicate potential problems, what other diagnostic tests might be necessary to confirm acute mesenteric arterial embolism (AMAE) or acute mesenteric arterial thrombosis (AMAT)?

While neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) show promise in predicting outcomes for acute mesenteric arterial embolism (AMAE) and acute mesenteric arterial thrombosis (AMAT), other diagnostic tools remain essential. Angiography, for example, directly visualizes blood vessels and can identify blockages or abnormalities. Clinical evaluation, including assessing symptoms and risk factors, is also crucial. NLR and PLR should be used as part of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, not as standalone indicators.