When you go for a blood test, you
may see a lot of different terms
and values on your lab report. One
of these values is absolute
eosinophils, which is a type of
white blood cell that plays an
important role in the immune
system. In this blog post, we’ll
take a closer look at what absolute
eosinophils are, what they indicate
in a blood test, and what factors
can affect their levels.
What Are Eosinophils?
Eosinophils are a type of white
blood cell that are responsible for
fighting off infections and
parasites. They are part of the
immune system and are produced in
the bone marrow before being
released into the bloodstream.
Eosinophils are most commonly
associated with allergies and
asthma, as they are involved in the
immune response to allergens. When
an allergen enters the body,
eosinophils are activated and
release substances that cause
inflammation and mucus production.
This can lead to symptoms such as
coughing, sneezing, and itching.
In addition to their role in
allergies and asthma, eosinophils
are also involved in the immune
response to parasitic infections.
They can destroy parasites by
releasing toxic substances, and
they can also help to regulate the
immune response.
What Are Absolute Eosinophils?
Absolute eosinophils, also known as
the eosinophil count, is a
measurement of the number of
eosinophils in a sample of blood.
This value is reported as the
number of eosinophils per
microliter of blood (cells/μL).
The absolute eosinophil count is
different from the percentage of
eosinophils, which is another value
that may be reported on a blood
test. The percentage of eosinophils
is the proportion of white blood
cells that are eosinophils, and it
is reported as a percentage of the
total white blood cell count.
What Is a Normal Absolute
Eosinophil Count?
The normal range for absolute
eosinophil count is typically
between 0 and 450 cells/μL,
although this can vary slightly
depending on the laboratory that
performs the test. If your absolute
eosinophil count falls within this
range, it is considered to be
within normal limits.
However, it’s important to note
that the normal range can vary
depending on a person’s age, sex,
and other factors. In some cases, a
slightly elevated eosinophil count
may still be within the normal
range for that person.
What Does a High Absolute
Eosinophil Count Mean?
A high absolute eosinophil count,
also known as eosinophilia, can be
a sign of several different
conditions. Some of the most common
causes of eosinophilia include:
-
Allergies: Allergic reactions
can cause eosinophils to
increase in number as part of
the immune response. This is
most commonly seen in people
with asthma or hay fever.
-
Parasitic infections:
Eosinophils play a key role in
the immune response to
parasitic infections. If you
have a parasitic infection,
your eosinophil count may be
elevated.
-
Autoimmune diseases: Some
autoimmune diseases, such as
rheumatoid arthritis and
systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE), can cause eosinophilia.
-
Skin conditions: Certain skin
conditions, such as eczema and
psoriasis, can lead to an
increase in eosinophils.
-
Medications: Some medications,
such as antibiotics and
anti-seizure drugs, can cause
eosinophilia as a side effect.
In some cases, a high eosinophil
count may be a sign of a more
serious condition, such as a blood
cancer or a rare autoimmune disease
called hypereosinophilic syndrome.
However, these conditions are
relatively rare.
What Does a Low Absolute E