9/17/2016 EosinophilCount:Explanation&Risks

Healthline Reference Library Eosinophil Count

Eosinophil Count
Written by Corinna Underwood
Medically Reviewed by Steve Kim, MD on February 11, 2016 SHARE

Part 1 of 7: Overview

What Is an Eosinophil Count?

Highlights
1 An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell.

2 An eosinophil count is a type of blood test that measures

the quantity of eosinophils in your body.

3 A normal blood sample reading will show fewer than 350

eosinophil cells per microliter of blood.

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White blood cells are an important part of your bodys immune system.
Theyre vital to protecting you from invading bacteria or parasites. Your body
is host to ve dierent kinds of white blood cells. Your bone marrow makes
all ve kinds of white blood cells.

Each white blood cell lives anywhere from several hours to 12 days and then
a new one replaces it. The average lifespan of a white blood cell is ve days.
How many white blood cells and which type you have in your body can give
doctors a better understanding of your health. Elevated levels of white blood
cells in your blood are a good indicator that you have an illness or infection.
Elevated levels mean your body is sending more and more white blood cells
to ght o infections.

An eosinophil count is a type of blood test that measures the quantity of

eosinophils in your body. An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell. An
eosinophil count typically helps your doctor conrm a diagnosis rather than
make a diagnosis.

Eosinophils have two distinct functions in your immune system. They destroy
invading germs like viruses, bacteria, or parasites such as Giardia and
pinworm. Eosinophils also create an inammatory response, especially if an
allergy is involved.

Inammation is neither good nor bad. It helps isolate and control the
immune response at the site of an infection, but it also damages the tissue
around it. Allergies are immune responses that often involve chronic
inammation. Eosinophils play a signicant role in the inammation related
to allergies and asthma.

The Best Allergy Blogs of the Year

Part 2 of 7: Purpose

Why Do I Need an Eosinophil Count?

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Your doctor may recommend an eosinophil count

if you already had a white blood count dierential
and the results were abnormal. A white blood
count dierential test determines the percentage
of each kind of white blood cell present in your
blood. This test will show if you have an
abnormally high or low count and if you have
abnormal cells that occur with various diseases.

Your doctor may also order this test to help

conrm the diagnosis of certain diseases or conditions, such as:

an extreme allergic reaction

the initial stages of Cushings disease, which is a disorder caused by too
much of the steroid hormone cortisol
a parasitic infection

Part 3 of 7: Preparation

How Do I Prepare for an Eosinophil

Count?
There are no special preparations necessary for
this test. You should inform your doctor if youre
taking any blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin
(Coumadin). Your doctor may advise you to stop
taking certain medications.

Medications that may cause you to have an

increased eosinophil count include:

appetite suppressants
interferon, which is a drug that helps treat
infection
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some antibiotics
laxatives that contain psyllium
tranquilizers

Be sure to mention any current medication youre taking to your doctor

before the test.

Part 4 of 7: Procedure

What Happens During an Eosinophil

Count?
A healthcare provider will take a sample of blood
from your arm by following these steps:

1. First, theyll clean the site with a swab of

rubbing alcohol.
2. Theyll then insert a needle into your vein and
attach a tube to ll with blood.
3. After drawing enough blood, theyll remove
the needle and cover the site with a bandage.
4. Theyll then send the blood sample to a
laboratory for analysis.

Part 5 of 7: Results

What Do the Results Mean?

Normal Results
A normal blood sample reading will show fewer than 350 eosinophil cells per
microliter of blood.
Topics & Tools
Abnormal Results
Overview Purpose Preparation Procedure Results Complications
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9/17/2016 EosinophilCount:Explanation&Risks
Overview Purpose Preparation Procedure Results Complications
If you have over 350 eosinophil cells per microliter
Advertisement of blood, then it indicates you have a disorder
known aseosinophilia. This can be due to any of
the following:

an allergic reaction to parasitic worms

an autoimmune disease
eczema
asthma
seasonal allergies
leukemia
ulcerative colitis
scarlet fever
lupus
Crohns disease

An abnormally low eosinophil count can be the result of intoxication from

alcohol or excessive production ofcortisol, which is a steroid produced
naturally in the body.

Part 6 of 7: Complications

What Are the Complications

Associated with an Eosinophil
Count?
An eosinophil count uses a standard blood draw, which you have likely had
many times in your life.

As with any blood test, there are minimal risks of experiencing minor
bruising at the needle site. In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after
blood is drawn. This is called phlebitis. You can treat this condition by
applying a warm compress several times each day. If this isnt eective, you
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should consult your doctor.

Excessive bleeding could be a problem if you have

a bleeding disorder or you take blood-thinning
medication such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin.
This requires immediate medical attention.

Part 7 of 7: Follow-Up

What Happens After an Eosinophil

Count?
If you have an allergy or parasitic infection, your
doctor will prescribe a short-term treatment to
alleviate symptoms and revert your white blood
cell count to normal.

If your eosinophil count indicates an autoimmune

disease, your doctor may want to conduct more
tests to determine which type of diseases you
have. They may then prescribe corticosteroids.

Learn More About Cushing Syndrome

You Asked, We Answered

Q: What are the warning signs that you may

need an eosinophil count?

A: Any sign of severe allergies can indicate that you need to have
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A: EosinophilCount:Explanation&Risks

your eosinophil count checked. These signs include: sneezing

and a blocked, itchy, or runny nose (nasal rhinitis); burning or
itchy and red eyes (conjunctivitis); shortness of breath with
wheezing or persistent cough (asthma or bronchospasm); a
red, itchy, and raised rash on the skin (urticaria or hives); or
swelling of soft tissues, especially on the lips, tongue, or facial
areas.

- Steve Kim, MD

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