Eosinophil Count
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that plays an important role in supporting the immune system. In certain conditions, the level of eosinophils in the blood can provide information about a person’s medical condition.
Eosinophils are made in the bone marrow. The normal range is 30-350 eosinophil cells per microliter of blood.
To find out how many levels of this type of white blood cell are in the body, you need to check the eosinophil count.
Function of Eosinophils
No different from other forms of white blood cells, eosinophils are also part of the immune system with the main function of providing protection to the body from disease.
Not only that, this part of the white blood cells also has several other roles that are no less important, namely:
- Kills bacteria and larger parasites, such as worms.
- Helps control the body’s immune response, especially those related to allergies.
Because of its very important role, the levels of eosinophils in the blood can provide clues to certain medical problems, such as allergies and worm infections.
Understanding Eosinophil Count Checks
In fact, inflammation has both positive and negative effects on the body. Inflammation can help isolate and control the body’s immune response to an infected area.
However, of course there are side effects in the form of tissue damage in the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, allergies are immune responses that often involve chronic inflammation. This is the role of eosinophils in inflammation related to asthma, eczema, and allergies.
An eosinophil count is a blood test that measures the number of eosinophils in the body. Abnormal levels are often found when performing routine complete blood counts.
Eosinophil count tests can provide important information about a person’s health, especially regarding immune responses and allergic reactions. High eosinophil counts in the blood can indicate:
Why Do an Eosinophil Count Check?
Doctors will generally recommend doing this examination if they suspect one or more of the following conditions:
1. Allergy Diagnosis
High levels in the blood can be a sign of an allergy or allergic reaction in the body.
An increase in the number of eosinophil cells can occur in people who have allergies to food, pollen, animals, or other allergens.
2. Autoimmune Disease
Some autoimmune disease conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can cause an increase in the number of eosinophil cells in the blood.
3. Parasitic Infection
Elevated eosinophil levels can also be an indication of a parasitic infection in the body. Eosinophil cells play a role in fighting parasites that enter the body.
4. Lung Disease
Lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis can cause an increase in the number of eosinophil cells in the blood, especially during periods of exacerbation or worsening of symptoms.
5. Blood Disorders
An increased number of eosinophils in the blood can also occur due to certain types of blood disorders, although this is less common.
Additionally, your doctor may find abnormal levels when looking at the results of a complete blood count.
This examination includes checking all types of blood cells, including the presentation for each type of white blood cell.
This test will provide information about the number of abnormal white blood cells, whether it is too high or too low. The number also varies greatly for certain medical conditions.
Preparation Before Performing an Eosinophil Count Check
Adults who want to have an eosinophil count check do not need any special preparation.
However, it is best to prepare these things so that the examination results are more accurate:
1. Consult a doctor
It is best to consult with your doctor about the reasons and purposes of this examination.
The doctor will provide more detailed information about the examination and what you need to prepare.
2. Fasting or not
Ask your doctor if you need to fast before this test.
Usually, this blood test does not require fasting, but there are certain tests that require an empty stomach.
3. Avoid certain foods and drinks
If your doctor recommends fasting before the test, be sure not to consume any food or drink for the specified period of time before the blood test.
4. Stop taking supplements and medications
Certain supplements or medications can affect the results of an eosinophil count test.
If you are taking certain supplements or medications, ask your doctor if you need to stop taking them temporarily before the exam.
The types of drugs that can increase the results of an eosinophil count test include amphetamines (appetite suppressants), certain types of laxatives that contain psyllium, certain antibiotics, sedatives, and interferon-type drugs.
5. Avoid heavy activities
Try not to do any heavy physical activity before the blood test.
Heavy physical activity can affect the number of blood cells in the blood and affect the test results.
6. Fulfill fluid needs
Make sure you are well-hydrated before this test. Drink enough water to keep your body in good condition before the test.
7. Wear comfortable clothes
Next, wear comfortable and easily accessible clothing, especially in the arm area if blood is drawn from a vein in the hand.
8. Get enough rest
Make sure you get enough sleep the night before your blood test. Getting enough rest will help ensure more accurate test results.
Eosinophil Count Check Procedure
The doctor or medical officer will take a blood sample from the arm in the following way:
- The medical staff will clean the area where the blood is being drawn using antiseptic fluid. Next, the staff will insert a needle into the vein and attach a tube to collect the blood.
- After the blood sample is collected, the officer will take it to the laboratory for further examination.
- Then, the lab technician will place the blood on a microscope slide and add a dye. The dye will make the eosinophils appear as reddish-orange granules.
- Then, the officer will count the granules for every 100 cells. The percentage will be multiplied by the number of white blood cells to find out the amount.
How is the result?
Normal eosinophil levels are no more than 500 cells per microliter or cells/mcL. However, the normal range can vary for each laboratory.
So, make sure to ask your doctor directly to get more accurate results.
The results of an eosinophil count in a blood test are usually given as a percentage of the total number of white blood cells or as an absolute number of eosinophil cells per microliter of blood.
If the results are given as a percentage, it refers to the percentage of white blood cells that are eosinophils out of the total white blood cell count.
For example, if the result shows 5 percent, this means that out of every 100 white blood cells, 5 of them are eosinophils.
When results are given as absolute numbers, this refers to the number per microliter (µL) of blood.
Typically, the normal eosinophil count is within a certain range that can vary depending on the laboratory and measurement method used.
When reading the results of an eosinophil count, it is important to understand the context of your health. Because, abnormalities in white blood cells can indicate several disorders.
Value too high
This condition is popularly known as eosinophilia. Its severity is as follows:
- Mild: if the value is between 5000 – 1,000 cells per microliter.
- Moderate: if the value is between 1,500 – 5,000 cells per microliter.
- Severe: if the value is more than 5,000 cells per microliter.
Value too low
Meanwhile, too low a number can occur due to the following reasons:
- Alcohol poisoning.
- Excess of certain types of steroids in the body due to health problems, such as Cushing’s Syndrome
Are There Any Side Effects?
This test is considered safe. However, there is still a risk of side effects for some people, such as:
- Excessive bleeding.
- Feeling dizzy or faint.
- Skin infection.
- Accumulation of blood under the skin or hematoma.
Where to Get an Eosinophil Count Check?
You can do this calculation at any health facility, from clinics or community health centers, hospitals, and emergency units (UGD), to health laboratories.