Immune and inflammation
Basophils (absolute basophil count)
Included in every MyHealthspan membership: Focus, Baseline, and Complete.
Compare membershipsBasophils are few in number, with a role in allergy.
Basophils are the least common white blood cells. They release histamine and other chemicals during allergic reactions and help defend against parasites.
Small numbers make small changes hard to read.
Basophils make up a very small share of your white cells, so a slight shift up or down is hard to interpret on its own. Clinicians look at the absolute count and whether it holds up on repeat testing.
A higher count can go with allergies, chronic inflammation, some infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or an underactive thyroid. Rarely, a persistently high count points to a bone marrow condition, which is one reason it's read alongside your full blood count.
Questions
Can basophils be low?
Yes, and with so few in circulation, low results are hard to interpret. An overactive thyroid, an infection or allergic reaction, and some medications can lower them.
Does a high basophil count mean I have allergies?
It can be associated with allergies, but it doesn't confirm them. Your symptoms, history, and other results, including eosinophils, give a clearer picture.