Personal
Professional
Research
Personal Professional Research Sign Up Login Pro Login
Research Basophils (Absolute)
White Blood Cell Differential Test Basophilia

Basophils (Absolute)

Optimal Result: 0 - 0.2 x10E3/uL, or 0.00 - 200.00 cells/uL.

What are Basophils?

Basophils are a type of white blood cell. Basophils work closely with your immune system to defend your body from allergens, pathogens and parasites. 

Basophils have a short life span, usually only one or two days.

Basophils are mononuclear cells, so they have one round nucleus. Basophils are also granulocytes, or white blood cells that have granules, or small particles, attached to them. These small particles are filled with enzymes, like histamine, that are released during allergic reactions. Basophils are the only white blood cells circulating around your body that contain histamine. During an allergic reaction, histamine is responsible for many of the typical symptoms of allergies, like a runny nose or sneezing.

Histamine is a vasodilator. This means it widens the blood vessels near an infection to open and allow more blood flow to the site of the infection. Heparin is a naturally occurring blood thinning substance which prevents clotting.

Basophils are responsible for the body’s immune response during allergic reactions. When the body is exposed to an allergen, basophils release histamine which triggers the physical symptoms of an allergic reaction. This causes the typical allergic reaction of running nose, watering eyes etc.

They also help to produce a crucial antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Immunoglobulin attaches to basophils and a similar type of cell called mast cells. The cells then work together to release histamine and serotonin, which affects the inflammatory response to the allergen.

What are white blood cells and where do Basophils fit in?

White blood cells are made inside your bone marrow and can be found in your blood and lymph tissues. White blood cells help your body fight off infections and illnesses.

There are three types of white blood cells, each with its own function to boost your immune system, including granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes.

Basophils are one of three granulocytes, along with neutrophils and eosinophils. Basophils are the smallest in number of granulocytes but the largest in cell size. Basophils play an important role helping your body respond to allergic reactions.

Other types of granulocytes include:

Neutrophils: This is the largest group of white blood cells in your body. They help fight infections.

Eosinophils: These help cells combat parasite infections. Like basophils and mast cells, they play a role in allergic reactions, asthma, and fighting parasite pathogens. They also develop in the bone marrow before moving into your blood.

The other main types of white blood cells are:

Lymphocytes: These cells are part of your immune system. They attack pathogens, including bacteria and viruses.

Monocytes: These cells are part of your immune system. They fight infections, help remove damaged tissues, and destroy cancer cells.

What do Basophils do?

Basophils release enzymes to improve blood flow and prevent blood clots.

Basophil cells are unique in that they don’t recognize pathogens they've already been exposed to. Instead, they attack any organism they see that is unfamiliar to your body. Basophils destroy foreign organisms by surrounding and ingesting them (phagocytosis).

Basophils function to defend your body against:

- Allergens

- Bacterial, fungal and viral infections (pathogens)

- Blood clotting

- Parasites

Let's talk more about the enzymes histamine and heparin that basophils can release:

During allergic reactions, basophils release two enzymes, histamine and heparin.

The granules of basophils hold both histamine and heparin. When a foreign organism enters your body, your basophils activate and release these enzymes to assist your immune system’s response to destroy the organism.

What does histamine do?

Histamine enlarges your blood vessels to improve blood flow and heal the affected area. Histamine opens pathways for other cells in your immune system to quickly target and respond to the allergen. You can identify when your basophil cells release histamines because you will experience physical symptoms of an allergic reaction like itchy skin, a runny nose and watery eyes.

What does heparin do?

Basophils also release an enzyme called heparin that prevents blood from clotting too quickly.

Where are basophils located?

Basophils form in the soft tissue of your bones (bone marrow). After the cells mature, they travel through your bloodstream and migrate to damaged tissues to help heal the area after an injury.

How many basophils are in my body?

White blood cells make up approximately 1% of all the cells in your body. Basophils are the smallest in quantity and make up less than 1% of all white blood cells.

What is the normal range for basophils?

Of all your white blood cells, basophils are some of the fewest in number, at only 0–1% of the total white blood cell count. 

On a laboratory report, the typical range of basophils will be 0.0–0.2 thousand cells per cubic millimeter (K/cumm or x10E3/uL). Anything above 0.2 x10E3/uL could indicate an underlying medical condition. 

A blood test is the only way to see your basophil levels. Typically, this test is part of a routine blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). When basophil levels are not within the typical range, it may indicate a basophilic disorder.

Additional note on your results:

You can expect some degree of variability between different laboratories as they might use different equipment, machines and tools to analyze your blood. Do not jump to conclusions if your results are slightly out of range. As long as it’s in the normal range based on the laboratory that did the testing, your value is normal. Your doctor will interpret your values in conjunction with your medical history and other test results. It is always advisable to not rely on one single test result to make a diagnosis. Results van vary from day to day and looking at the trend can be beneficial. 

References:

-- Eosinophils, mast cells, basophils: friends, foes, or both?  worldallergy.org/eosinophils-mast-cells-and basophils/eosinophils-mast-cells-and-basophils.php

-- Learn about the five common white blood cells. uwosh.edu/med_tech/what-is-elementary-hematology/white-blood-cells

-- Mayo Clinic Staff (2016, Nov 2). Myelofibrosis mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myelofibrosis/home/ovc-20261141

-- Mayo Clinic Staff (2015, June 24). Essential Thrombocythemia mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocythemia/basics/definition/con-20034386

-- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014, July 9). Pediatric white blood cell disorders: Definition mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pediatric-white-blood-cell-disorders/basics/definition/con-20036078

-- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014, April 10). Polycythemia Vera mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-vera/basics/definition/con-20031013

-- Stone, K. D., Prussin, C., & Metcalfe, D. D. (2010, February). IgE, mast cells, basophils, and eosinophils. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, (152)2 Suppl 2, S73-S80 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2847274/

-- WBC Differential. Lab Tests Online. (2015, December 3) labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/differential/tab/test

-- Blood differential test Information | Mount Sinai - New York. Mount Sinai Health System. Accessed June 15, 2021. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/blood-differential-test

What does it mean if your Basophils (Absolute) result is too high?

Elevated basophil levels, known as basophilia, can indicate various health conditions and immune responses. Basophilia is typically defined as a basophil count greater than 300 per microliter of blood or more than 2% of all white blood cells in peripheral blood.

Common Causes of Basophilia:

→ Allergic reactions to pollen, venom, or food

→ Parasitic infections

→ Inflammatory bowel disease

→ Autoimmune disorders like collagen vascular disease

→ Blood disorders such as polycythemia vera

→ Chronic myelogenous leukemia (a type of blood cancer)

Less Common Associations:

→ Iron deficiency anemia (moderate increases reported)

→ Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2)

→ Hypothyroidism

Significance and Interpretation:

While elevated basophil levels can be concerning, it's important to note:

- In many cases, basophilia is temporary and resolves on its own

- The increase in basophil count is often mild

- Basophilia is rarely an isolated finding and is often accompanied by other abnormalities in blood cell counts

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Diagnosis of basophilia typically involves:

- Complete blood count (CBC)

- Peripheral blood smear examination

- Additional tests to determine the underlying cause

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:

- Antihistamines or allergen avoidance for allergic reactions

- Antibiotics for bacterial infections

- Thyroid hormone replacement for hypothyroidism

- Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies for blood cancers

It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of basophilia, as the underlying causes can range from benign conditions to more serious health issues.

What does it mean if your Basophils (Absolute) result is too low?

A decrease in basophils is called basopenia.

Possible causes of basopenia:

- acute (pyogenic) infection

- hyperthyroidism

- stress reactions (such as pregnancy, myocardial infarction)

- prolonged steroid therapy, chemotherapy, radiation

- hereditary absence of basophils.

- Corticosteroid therapy

- drug-induced reactions

Low levels of basophils in the blood are common in a healthy person. Although, extremely low levels usually indicate an overwhelming shock in the body that is eliminating white blood cells faster than our bodies can produce them (due to severe infection or allergies) or the presence of certain drugs like cancer chemotherapy and corticosteroids. Cancer itself is also known to cause the level of basophils to be too low. In women, pregnancy can sometimes result in an unusually low basophil count. 

Potential treatments for basophil conditions include:

- Avoiding allergens or taking antihistamines.
- Changing dosage or timing of medications under your healthcare provider’s direction.
- Treating any underlying medical conditions.
- Treating infections and injuries.

Frequently asked questions

Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.

Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.

With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.

For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
  • GI-MAP,
  • The NutrEval FMV®,
  • The ION Profile,
  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
  • Organic Acids Test,
  • Organix Comprehensive Profile,
  • Toxic Metals,
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC),
  • Metabolic panel,
  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
  • And many, many more.

You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.

It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.

If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.

There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."

Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.

We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.

Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.

Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.

The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.

For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.

Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.

You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.

Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.

Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.

We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.

1. Graph View:

Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.

2. All Tests View

Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.

3. Table View:

For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.

Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.

Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.

Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.

A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.

The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.

To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.


We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

Navigate to White Blood Cell Differential Test

Popular search

ABSOLUTE BAND NEUTROPHILS, ABSOLUTE METAMYELOCYTES, ABSOLUTE MYELOCYTES, Atypical Lymphocytes, Atypical Lymphocytes (x10*9/L), Band Neutrophils (%), Basophils (Absolute), Basophils (Percent), Eosinophils "Eos" (Absolute), Eosinophils "Eos" (Percent), Lymphocytes "Lymphs" (Absolute), Lymphocytes "Lymphs" (Percent), METAMYELOCYTES (%), MID#, MID%, Monocytes (Absolute), Monocytes (Percent), Myelocytes, Neut/Lymph Ratio, Neutrophils (Absolute), Neutrophils (Percent), Polymorphs, Polymorphs (Absolute), Segmented Neutrophils, Segmented Neutrophils (Percent)