Eosinophil count - absolute

Alternative Names

Eosinophils; Absolute eosinophil count

Definition

An absolute eosinophil count is a blood test that measures the number of white blood cells called eosinophils. Eosinophils become active when you have certain allergic diseases, infections, and other medical conditions.

How the Test is Performed

Most of the time blood is drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around your upper arm to make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the heath care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. The needle is then removed and the site is covered to stop bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to prick the skin. The blood collects in a small glass tube, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage is put on the spot to stop bleeding.

In the lab, the blood is placed on a microscope slide. A stain is added to the sample. This causes eosinophils to show up as orange-red granules. The technician then counts how many eosinophils are present per 100 cells. The percentage of eosinophils is multiplied by the white blood cell count to give the absolute eosinophil count.

How to Prepare for the Test

Most of the time adults do not need to take special steps before this test. Tell your doctor the medicines you are taking, including ones you buy without a prescription. Some drugs may change the test results.

Medicines that may cause you to have an increase in eosinophils include:

Amphetamines (appetite suppressants)
Certain laxatives containing psyllium
Certain antibiotics
Interferon
Tranquilizers

How the Test will Feel

You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted. You may also feel some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn.

Why the Test is Performed

You will have this test to see if you have abnormal results from a blood differential test. This test may also be done if the doctor thinks you may have a specific disease.

This test may help diagnose:

Acute hypereosinophilic syndrome (a rare but sometimes fatal leukemia-like condition)
An allergic reaction (can also reveal how severe the reaction is)
Early stages of Cushing's disease
Infection by a parasite

Normal Results

Less than 350 cells per microliter (cells/mcL).

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

The example above shows the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What Abnormal Results Mean

A high number of eosinophils (eosinophilia) is often linked to allergic diseases and infections from parasites such as worms. A high eosinophil count may be due to:

A lower-than-normal eosinophil count may be due to:

Alcohol intoxication
Over production of certain steroids in the body (such as cortisol)

Risks

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size so it may be harder to take a blood sample in some people.

Other slight risks from having blood drawn are slight but may include:

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Considerations

The eosinophil count is used to help confirm a diagnosis. The test cannot tell if the higher number of cells is caused by allergy or parasite infection.

References

Hutchinson RE, Schexineider KI. Leukocyteic Disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 33.

Roberts DJ. Hermatologic Aspects of Parasitic Diseases. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 160.