The Baso blood test helps to measure how many basophil cells are within a sample of blood at the time of the blood draw. It is often ordered as part of the complete blood count, but may also be ordered as an absolute basophils blood test as well.
What Are Basophils?
They are one of 5 different types of white blood cells [WBCs] that people have at any given time. These WBCs are just a small percentage of the total number that are present at any given time, but their role is incredibly important. They are responsible for the release of histamines that help to protect the body from certain substance exposures, such as pollen, dander, or mold.
When Will The Baso Blood Test Be Ordered?
Patients who are struggling with an unknown health condition that is similar to asthma or an allergic reaction may have this test ordered to measure histamine response. Basophils only make up 1% or fewer of the total WBCs that are found in the human body, so identifying their presence in relation to specific environmental or health conditions can help doctors discover there may be a treatable condition.
What Do High Baso Blood Test Results Mean?
When test results are above 1% in the complete blood count for basophils, then this condition is referred to as basophilia. It may indicate a number of potential health conditions. Hives, inflammation anywhere in the body, food allergies, Crohn’s disease, and certain types of leukemia may all create extra basophils.
What Do Low Baso Blood Test Results Mean?
If the test results show that there are fewer than 0.5% of WBCs that are basophils in a blood test, then this condition is referred to as basopenia. There are only two primary health concerns that occur when there are results that are lower than normal: hyperthyroidism or severe allergies that have been left untreated.
Please note: It is entirely possible for zero basophils to be present without there being a health problem. Just because the results are lower than normal does not mean something medically significant is happening. It may be a result that has little, if any, medical significance at all.
When Are Extra Basophils Often Seen?
Parasitic infections are known to create abnormally high levels of basophils. The most common type of parasitic infection is heartworm that will spike levels. Most doctors who see this type of result where a parasite is suspected will see test results that are higher than they’ve ever seen before if they do not regularly treat parasites.
What Symptoms Will Cause The Baso Blood Test To Be Ordered?
There are a number of different risk factors that can create some specific symptoms that are combined with the results of the Baso blood test to determine a suspected diagnosis. The presence of basophils in the blood alone is not enough for a detailed diagnosis in most cases, however, so additional testing may be required.
There are nearly 50 specific symptoms that are associated with abnormal basophil levels, so a complete examination is necessary. Most people will eventually be diagnosed with a minor condition, such as sinusitis, asthma, allergies, or even a residual chicken pox infection. People who have allergies will almost always have elevated basophil counts, even if those allergies are well controlled. Certain types of eczema also create higher than normal Baso blood test results.
Are There Serious Health Issues That The Baso Blood Test Can Detect?
Doctors who suspect that a patient may be suffering from Crohn’s disease or other similar autoimmune disorders may order the Baso blood test based on symptoms that are being displayed. Certain vascular disease and chronic leukemia can be discovered through this test as well.
Is There Anything Else That Can Spike Basophil Counts?
People who are under a high amount of sudden emotional or physical stress may produce higher levels of basophils without an underlying health condition. People who have had a recent splenectomy will also typically have higher counts than normal.
What If My Baso Blood Test Results Are Zero?
The most common reason why there would be no basophils seen in a blood test is because of any injury that caused bleeding. It may be an external or internal injury. Those who have recently had a blood transfusion may also see inaccurate results on their blood test and need to be re-tested in 4-6 weeks.
There is very little risk in having a Baso blood test. Most people will have normal results. For those that have different outcomes, only a medical provider can compare symptoms and a personal medical history to the results to determine a specific diagnosis.