Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts change over time and with age-related diseases in the following ways:
Neutrophil Counts: Neutrophils generally increase with aging. An increase in their absolute number is associated with a higher mortality risk. This increase in neutrophils is more consistent in mice, where neutrophil counts rise with age. Age-related alterations in neutrophil structure may result in diminished neutrophil function and increased susceptibility to infections. Inaccurate neutrophil chemotaxis in aging may lead to compromised clearance of neutrophils, potentially contributing to a chronic inflammation state. Source, Source, Source, Source
Lymphocyte Counts: The absolute number of lymphocytes tends to decrease with age. A low lymphocyte count could reflect multisystem dysregulation associated with frailty. Lymphocyte counts also decline in older adults, possibly due to a reduced rate of NK cell production from the bone marrow. Source, Source, Source
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR): The NLR is a more reliable predictor of healthy aging than absolute lymphocytes and/or neutrophil counts. An elevated NLR in blood has been associated with Alzheimer's disease and other age-related diseases. The inflammatory markers, including NLR, are known to increase with age. Source, Source, Source
In summary, neutrophil counts tend to increase with age while lymphocyte counts decrease, leading to a higher NLR which is associated with age-related diseases and frailty. Here are some images illustrating these trends: