Do you often get allergies? Are you tired of things like a runny nose, watery eyes, and itching? Today we are going to talk about a small but very important soldier in our body that is related to these things. You may have seen this name in a Blood Report. It is Basophils.
Simply put, who are these basophils?
Basophils are a type of white blood cell that is very important in our immune system. Specifically, they protect our bodies from infections and allergens.
Basophils are one of three types of white blood cells called granulocytes in our blood. The other two types are neutrophils and eosinophils. Compared to these three, basophils are the smallest but largest cell type.
These basophils are especially important in fighting off something harmful to your body, an allergen. When you have a sore throat, a runny nose, or red, watery eyes, what's really happening is that the immune system, including basophils, is working to get rid of the foreign invader.
What service do basophils provide to our body?
Basophils have several main functions. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Main function | The process is simple. |
|---|---|
| Fighting against invaders | They protect us by fighting off things like parasites, bacteria, viruses, and fungi that enter the body. |
| Causing Allergic Reactions | When an allergen enters the body, basophils release a chemical called histamine. This histamine is what causes allergic symptoms such as itching, swelling, and runny nose. |
| Preventing blood clots | When an area is damaged by an infection or allergy, it needs blood flow to heal. Basophils release a substance called heparin, which prevents blood from clotting at that area. |
There's one important thing. Unlike some white blood cells, basophils don't remember a previous encounter with a foreign pathogen. Instead, they attack anything they see that's foreign to the body. This process of engulfing, engulfing, and destroying the invader is called phagocytosis.
Where do these form? How do we see them?
Basophils are produced in the bone marrow inside our bones. After they mature, they travel through the blood vessels to areas of damaged tissue in the body. They go there to help heal those areas.
Basophils are spherical cells that can only be seen under a microscope. When they are viewed in the laboratory, a special dye (stain) is used to make them visible. Then, these cells take on a purple-black color. At the same time, the granules inside the cell look beautiful as small purple dots.
How many basophils should we normally have in our body?
Basophils make up less than 1% of the total white blood cells in a healthy adult, making them the least abundant type of white blood cell in our bodies.
In a blood test, the normal number of basophils is between 0.5% and 1% of the total white blood cells. In numerical terms, there are between 0 and 300 basophils per microliter of blood.
If this value in your blood report is much higher or lower than this, it may be a symptom of a medical condition.
Conditions caused by changes in basophil counts
There are two main conditions in which the number of basophils changes abnormally.
| Status | Description and possible causes |
|---|---|
| Basophilia | This means that the number of basophils in your body is higher than normal . This can be caused by a number of things, from simple causes like infections and allergies, to chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases, hypothyroidism, or cancer. |
| Basopenia | This means that your body's basophil count is lower than normal . This condition can also be caused by infections and severe allergies. Sometimes, basophil counts can be low due to an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or as a side effect of certain medications. |
In both cases, your doctor will likely perform several more tests to determine the exact cause of this abnormal value.
What are the symptoms of these conditions?
There are actually no specific symptoms of elevated or decreased basophil counts. Any symptoms you experience are caused by an underlying medical condition .
These are the common symptoms that are often seen:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Itching
- Skin rashes
- Inflammation
How do you check the basophil count?
Because basophils are a type of white blood cell, your doctor will usually order a complete blood count (CBC with differential) . This test counts all the types of white blood cells in your blood sample. It can tell you if your white blood cell count is normal, high, or low.
In addition, a calculation called Absolute Basophil Count (ABC) can accurately determine how many basophils are present.
But remember, while an abnormal basophil count can be a sign of an illness, your doctor will need to do more tests to diagnose the illness. So don't be alarmed if a value on the report changes.
What are you doing as treatment?
Treatment for abnormal basophil counts depends on the cause. Treatment is not directed at the basophil count, but at the underlying condition that caused it.
- Giving antihistamines for allergic conditions.
- Giving medications to control infections or swelling.
- If this condition is caused by a medication, change the dosage of that medication or switch to another medication as advised by your doctor .
- Proper treatment of the underlying chronic medical condition (e.g. thyroid disease, cancer).
What can we do to keep basophils healthy?
Keeping your immune system strong is the best way to keep all cells, including basophils, healthy.
- Eat foods that contain vitamins that boost immunity (vitamins C, B6, E, and zinc).
- Eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
- Stay away from things that cause you allergies (allergens).
- Manage stress well.
Is it good to have an increase in basophils or a decrease?
Neither of these is necessarily good. Both increased and decreased basophil counts can be a sign of a medical condition. It can be something that can be easily resolved, like a side effect of a medication. It can also be a sign of a disease that requires long-term treatment. Therefore, to know exactly what to do about this and what to do, you should definitely see your doctor .
Take-Home Message
- Basophils are an important type of white blood cell in our immune system, especially those that fight allergies and infections.
- An increase or decrease in the number of basophils in a blood test above normal levels may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
- Don't worry about a change in a blood test result on your own. Your doctor is the best person to explain what it really means and what to do next.
- Following a healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep your immune system strong.
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