Platform
Company
Complete Blood Count
Review status
Currently under review
Pending specialist review and validation.
The Absolute Basophils (Automated) test measures the number of basophils in your blood using an automated analyzer. Basophils are a type of white blood cell involved in immune responses, especially allergic reactions and defense against certain parasites. The result reflects the actual count of basophils circulating in your bloodstream.
This measurement is typically part of a complete blood count with differential. It helps your clinician understand how your immune system is behaving and how basophils compare with other white blood cells produced by your bone marrow.
Changes in basophil counts can occur with allergies, chronic inflammation, thyroid disorders, and some bone marrow conditions. Tracking the absolute count over time can help connect your symptoms with immune activity and guide decisions about further testing or treatment.
Your clinician may order this test as part of a routine checkup, to evaluate symptoms like itching, rash, nasal congestion, or fatigue, or when monitoring known conditions. It can also support investigation of myeloproliferative disorders and help assess response to therapies that affect the immune system.
A higher than expected basophil count can be seen with active allergy, recovery after infection, chronic inflammation, or occasionally with bone marrow disorders. Some medicines and changes in thyroid function can also influence the result. Your overall health, symptoms, and the rest of the blood count provide important context.
A lower than expected basophil count is common and often not worrisome on its own. It may occur with stress, pregnancy, or treatment with steroids. Your clinician may choose to repeat the test, review medications, or order follow up studies if the result does not fit your clinical picture.
Reference intervals vary by laboratory, analyzer, methodology, population, and units. The ranges shown here are for education only. Always interpret your results against the reference interval printed on your own lab report.
Acute infection, vigorous activity, or emotional stress can transiently shift white blood cells and subtly affect the basophil count on the day of testing.
Corticosteroids, epinephrine, and some chemotherapy or biologic drugs can lower basophils, while allergy immunotherapy or certain treatments may alter counts.
Active allergic disease, eczema, asthma, or parasitic infections may be associated with higher basophil counts, which can improve as triggers are controlled.
Thyroid dysfunction and myeloproliferative diseases can change basophil production; interpretation considers your history, exam, and other blood results.
Physiologic changes during pregnancy can lower basophil counts; clinicians interpret results with pregnancy status and overall health in mind.
Clotted samples, delays in processing, or interfering substances can affect automated differentials; laboratories may repeat or review smears if needed.
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