Basophils are important cells for the immune system, and are normally increased in cases of allergy or prolonged inflammation such as asthma, rhinitis or urticaria, for example. Basophils have countless granules in their structure, which, in situations of inflammation or allergy, for example, release heparin and histamine to combat the problem.
These cells are formed in the bone marrow and are a type of white blood cell, and their levels can be assessed using the leukogram test, which is one of the constituents of the blood count and provides information about white blood cells. See how to interpret the leukogram.
Basophils are present in the blood in very small concentrations, with normal basophil reference values being between 0 – 2% or 20 – 100/µl in both men and women.
Basophil reference values
Normal values of basophils in the blood are indicated according to the total amount of leukocytes in the blood, representing approximately 0 to 2% of total leukocytes. It is also considered normal when 20 to 100 basophils are found per microliter of blood.
The reference values for basophils do not vary between adult men and women, however they may vary according to the laboratory in which the blood test is carried out and, therefore, the result of the test must always be seen by a doctor.
Do you have questions about your exam results?
To find out if the amount of basophils is within the reference value, enter your test results into the following calculator:
Low basophils
Basopenia, which is when basophils are low, is an uncommon situation and can occur due to a decrease in the production of white blood cells by the bone marrow, making it possible to identify less than 20 cells per microliter of blood.
The main causes of basopenia are taking medications that weaken the immune system, such as corticosteroids, ovulation, pregnancy, periods of stress, hyperthyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome. Learn about other causes of low basophils.
High basophils
An increase in the number of basophils, also called basophilia, normally occurs when there is inflammation in the body, and is normally accompanied by other changes in the white blood cell count. Thus, some of the situations in which there may be an increase in basophils are:
- Ulcerative colitiswhich is inflammation of the intestine;
- Asmawhich is chronic inflammation of the lungs in which the person has difficulty breathing;
- Sinusitis and rhinitiswhich corresponds to inflammation of the sinuses, which are found in the respiratory tract, generally associated with infections;
- Arthritiswhich is inflammation of the body’s joints and causes pain;
- Chronic kidney failureespecially in cases of kidney malfunction, such as nephrosis;
- Hemolytic anemiawhich is a situation in which red blood cells are destroyed, compromising the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the body;
- Leukemia Chronic Myeloid, which corresponds to a type of cancer in which there is deregulation in the production of cells by the bone marrow due to a mutation;
- After undergoing chemotherapy or remove the spleen.
Therefore, if basophilia is noted, it is important to show the result to the doctor who requested the test so that the blood count can be analyzed completely and, thus, other complementary tests can be recommended to identify the cause of basophilia and begin treatment. more appropriate treatment, if necessary. See more about what high basophils can be.
