Home
/
Markers
/
Hematology
/
Eosinophils

Eosinophils: Allergy and Immune Response in View

Eosinophils are white blood cells involved in allergic reactions and the defence against parasites. This can be relevant for active people, as allergies and asthma can affect breathing and training capacity. A raised count is often seen with allergies or asthma, while a low count is usually not a concern.

Doctor's Assessment Included

Eosinophils: what this test measures

Eosinophils are white blood cells that play an important role in allergic reactions and in defence against parasites. They contain granules with substances that are released during an allergic or inflammatory reaction.

This test measures how many eosinophils are present in your blood, as part of a complete blood count with differential. Normally eosinophils make up only a small part of your white blood cells, so even a slight rise can stand out.

The result is often given as both an absolute number and a percentage, and assessed together with your symptoms.

Eosinophils: why this value matters

The eosinophil count can help your doctor find clues to allergic and other conditions. A raised count (eosinophilia) is common with allergies such as hay fever, with asthma, with eczema and with a parasitic infection.

Because eosinophils respond to allergic triggers, the value can change with the season or with exposure to certain substances. A strongly raised count calls for further investigation to find the cause.

A low eosinophil count rarely has meaning and is usually not regarded as abnormal. The emphasis with this value is therefore mainly on a rise.

Eosinophils: when is testing worthwhile?

Eosinophils are measured within a complete blood count with differential. Your doctor may pay particular attention to them with allergy symptoms, asthma, persistent skin complaints such as itching or eczema, or a suspected parasitic infection.

The value can also be useful to monitor when a raised count was found previously, to see whether it is rising or falling.

Because the eosinophil count can fluctuate, your doctor always interprets a result together with your symptoms, your history and any follow-up testing.

Eosinophils: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

A low eosinophil count almost never has consequences and usually causes no symptoms. It is rarely regarded as a problem.

High Levels

A raised eosinophil count usually causes no symptoms by itself; the symptoms relate to the underlying cause. With an allergy or asthma you may have sneezing, a runny nose, itching, breathlessness or a skin rash. With a parasitic infection there can be abdominal complaints or other symptoms that fit the cause.

Eosinophils: lifestyle and this value

If you have allergy or asthma symptoms, it can help to avoid known triggers such as pollen, house dust mites or animal allergens as much as possible. Good treatment of your allergy or asthma can help reduce symptoms and sometimes the eosinophil count too.

A persistently raised eosinophil count should always be assessed by a doctor, so that the cause becomes clear and appropriate treatment can be started.

Eosinophils: frequently asked questions

What does a high eosinophil count mean?

A raised count (eosinophilia) is often linked to allergies, asthma or a parasitic infection. Your doctor interprets it together with your history and other values.

Is a low eosinophil count a problem?

A low eosinophil count is common and is generally not a cause for concern on its own.

Are eosinophils part of a complete blood count?

Yes, eosinophils are one of the five white blood cell types reported in the differential of a complete blood count (CBC).

What is a normal eosinophil count?

Eosinophils normally make up only a small part of your white blood cells; the absolute count in adults usually lies roughly below 0.5 x 10⁹/l. The exact reference range is shown on your own result.

Does a raised eosinophil count always mean an allergy?

No. An allergy or asthma is a common cause, but a raised count can also fit with a parasitic infection, skin conditions or other causes. Your doctor assesses the value together with your symptoms and history.

Does the eosinophil count fluctuate with the season?

Yes, in people with a pollen allergy the eosinophil count can be higher during the pollen season, for example. That is why the timing of the measurement and exposure to triggers matter in the assessment.

Tests with related values

These panels measure values from the same category as this marker.

Whoop

A 45-biomarker comprehensive health panel inspired by WHOOP Advanced Labs — a deep look at metabolism, cardiovascular risk, hormones, liver, kidney and inflammation.

SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) LDL Cholesterol Cortisol DHEA-S Estradiol (E2) Free Testosterone FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) LH (Luteinizing Hormone) Total Testosterone Bicarbonate Calcium Chloride Ferritin Iron (Serum) Magnesium Potassium Sodium Transferrin CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Homocysteine Glucose (Fasting) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) HDL Cholesterol Total Cholesterol Albumin HOMA-IR ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Bilirubin (Total) Total Protein Urea (BUN) Creatinine Vitamin D (25-OH) eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) Insulin (Fasting) Leukocyte Differential Transferrin Saturation Lipoprotein(a) Triglycerides Basic Blood Count Bilirubin (Direct) Bilirubin (Indirect)

€499,-

Hormones & TRT

TRT Monitoring

Independent monitoring panel for men on TRT: testosterone (total and free), SHBG, albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit and PSA.

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) Total Testosterone Albumin Hemoglobin Hematocrit

€239,-

Whoop

Whoop Performance Health

A 51-biomarker performance panel inspired by the WHOOP Performance Health Panel — recovery, blood production, thyroid, hormones, iron and nutrient status for people who train.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Albumin Total Protein Bilirubin (Total) ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) Total Cholesterol LDL Cholesterol HDL Cholesterol Triglycerides Lipoprotein(a) Urea (BUN) Creatinine eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) Calcium Bicarbonate Chloride Sodium Potassium Magnesium Cortisol DHEA-S Estradiol (E2) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) LH (Luteinizing Hormone) SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) Total Testosterone Free Testosterone TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Glucose (Fasting) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) Insulin (Fasting) HOMA-IR CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Homocysteine Ferritin Iron (Serum) Transferrin Transferrin Saturation Vitamin D (25-OH) IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor) Creatine Kinase (CK) Reticulocytes Free T3 (Triiodothyronine) Free T4 (Thyroxine) Vitamin B12 Folate (Folic Acid) Bilirubin (Direct) Bilirubin (Indirect)

€689,-

Health Checkups

InsideTracker

A 35-biomarker performance and longevity panel inspired by InsideTracker Ultimate — covering heart, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, recovery and iron status.

SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) LDL Cholesterol GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) Cortisol DHEA-S Estradiol (E2) Free Testosterone Total Testosterone Folate (Folic Acid) Vitamin B12 Calcium Ferritin Iron (Serum) Magnesium Potassium Progesterone Sodium Transferrin CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Glucose (Fasting) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) HDL Cholesterol Total Cholesterol Albumin AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Vitamin D (25-OH) Insulin (Fasting) Leukocyte Differential Creatine Kinase (CK) Transferrin Saturation Triglycerides Basic Blood Count

€399,-