Absolute Basophils Count

The human body encompasses several kinds of White Blood Cells (WBC), which actively work to protect you against bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. There are 5 kinds of WBC, and Basophils are one of them. It makes up around 0.5%-1% of the entire WBC population. 

Despite making for a considerably small portion of the total WBC in the body, the basophils are highly responsible for keeping you healthy. Especially when an individual gets an infection from an open wound or sustained scratches from a mild fall, Basophils are what take the body on the road to recovery.

It originates in the bone marrow and is found throughout the body's tissues. They are crucial in the proper functioning of the immune system. Moreover, basophils ensure that you don't suffer from blood clotting and mediate allergic reactions. 

If you’re suffering from a severe allergy, it may cause the basophils to fall. A high basophil level is not good either – it can be due to blood cancer. 

To determine the level of basophils, your healthcare provider may suggest an Absolute Basophils Count (ABC) test. The test will also assess neoplastic illnesses, allergies, parasitic infections and hematologic diseases. 

Additionally, the differential WBC count test may also include the ABC test, which is carried out to check for chickenpox or allergic responses. No viral and bacterial infections will impact the basophils level. 

Getting the Absolute Basophils Count test is a good idea if:

• You are suffering from the basophilic disorder, indicating that your body is producing too many basophils
• There is an indication of allergies, infections, diseases, or disorders that have significant characteristics of chronic inflammation
• You want to ensure whether you're undergoing a severe health ailment like autoimmune disease or leukaemia or not. 
• Observe symptoms of hypothyroidism like hoarse voice, coarse skin, constipation, puffy face, brittle hair, weight gain
• Observe symptoms of hyperthyroidism like increased blood pressure, loss of weight, increase in heart rate and excessive sweating
• Notice acute allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, which will present symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes, itchy hives, and red rashes

Therefore, if you check any of the above boxes, it’s time to get the Absolute Basophils Count test. It will help in: 

• Checking if there is any triggering inflammatory reaction 
• Ascertaining if the body is directing the immune system to repair and heal any damaged issues while also protecting itself against harmful foreign agents
• Distinguishing between reactive states like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, myxedema-hypothyroidism, immediate hypersensitivity reactions, etc., and myeloproliferative health conditions such as chronic granulocytic leukaemia.

If your test report results range from between 0 to 300 cells per microliter of blood, you're clear. 

If not, get yourself tested by Apollo 24|7! It’s convenient, easy to book, offers home testing and gives quick results.

Medically reviewed by Dr.Ravi Kiran Barigala, Internal Medicine from apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.