What Is the Absolute Basophil Count?
The absolute basophil count recommended for adults is 0 to 190 cells per microliter, whereas the absolute basophil count recommended for children is approximately 20 cells per microliter, as reported by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Basophils are one of the five white blood cells that are found in the lymphatic system of the human body, and play an extremely important role in ensuring that the proper amount and type of histamines and chemicals are released when the body is under attack by foreign pathogens. Basophils are mostly used by the body to deal with allergies.
The relative amount of basophils that should be present in the blood test in comparison to other white blood cells is anywhere from 0 to 3 percent for adults and 0.5 to 0.6 percent for children.
A higher than normal absolute basophil count may indicate that a patient is suffering from hives, Chron’s disease, some form of leukemia, inflammation, food allergies, hypothyroidism or hemolytic anemia. On the other hand, a lower than normal absolute basophil count may indicate that a patient is suffering from severe allergies or hyperthyroidism.
Test results are not only used for diagnostic purposes; the test results can also be used to determine which drug therapy may be most effective for the patient.
