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.

Frequently asked questions

What does a high Absolute Basophils Count indicate?

Abnormally high level of basophils is referred to as ‘basophilia.’ It can indicate a plethora of health conditions like severe allergies, chickenpox, bone marrow disease, collagen vascular disease, infections, chronic inflammation, overactive thyroid, etc. Moreover, a high basophil count can be attributed to specific blood cancers. It can also signify that your bone marrow produces too many white blood cells.

What does a low Absolute Basophils Count indicate?

A low basophils count is commonly referred to as basopenia. If your basophils level is low, it could be due to extreme allergic reactions, serious injury, thyrotoxicosis, cancer or acute infections. This may hinder your recovery process if you contract any infectious diseases.

What do basophils protect the human body against?

WBC, like basophils, serves a handful of preventative functions by ensuring that the body can fight against: Viruses Microbial pathogens Venoms from scorpions, honeybees, Gilas and certain specific kinds of snakes Parasitic worms or helminths that attack the gastrointestinal tract

Is there any preparation required for the Absolute Basophils Count test?

The ABC test requires an elementary blood sample to determine whether the individual has a high or low basophils count. It does not require any special preparations. The patient can follow their regular diet; no fasting is needed. That said, always check with your healthcare practitioner to see if you need to fast, perchance.

Is basophilia preventable?

Not really. Basophilia is connected to underlying health conditions that may cause abnormal basophils level. Since it's caused due to an underlying ailment, you cannot know it beforehand, hence can't prevent basophilia either.

What health conditions are linked with basophilia?

The following medical illnesses are linked to basophilia: Polycythemia vera: a blood disorder which increases the count of red blood cells Acute myeloid leukaemia: a type of blood cancer Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): chronic illness which hampers the intestinal functioning Crohn’s disease: a kind of IBD Autoimmune diseases: includes multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, which attacks the body instead of specific targets Myelofibrosis: a rare form of chronic leukaemia Chronic myelogenous leukaemia: a kind of blood cancer that impacts the bone marrow Hypothyroidism: lack of thyroid hormone release