Prolonged health deterioration without a cause can be worrisome. At times, a person may have unexplained allergies, infections, or inflammation, which can pose serious long-term health risks. In this situation, doctors ask you to get a blood test done to check your eosinophil count. It aids in having a better idea of the defence mechanism of the body and how to treat the condition. As an eosinophil is an important element of the immune system, a test to check if they are within the normal range becomes mandatory. 

Eosinophil count usually helps to understand if the body has a weak immune system, is fighting an infection, or if there are underlying additional health issues that would require urgent attention. Both eosinophils high​ and low counts can be risky and worrisome if they happen for a longer period of time.

How Does the Mechanism Work?

The defence mechanism of eosinophils is quite simple. As soon as there is an invasion of foreign particles or parasites in our body, the white blood cells direct the eosinophils towards the infection site. Once they travel through the bloodstream and reach the site, they get activated and release the granulocyte content. The content make-up of granulocytes has free radicals and highly toxic proteins, which have the specific role of targeting organisms associated with infections, and destroying them. This, in turn, helps our body to fight off all kinds of infections. 

Detection of High and Low Eosinophil Count 

You might be thinking, how can we know for sure the eosinophil count is elevated? There are certain symptoms and changes that happen in the body, which will help you understand it. If you have a persistent cough, fatigue, runny nose, itching, unexplained rashes, difficulty breathing, and diarrhoea. Whenever you are showing all of these major symptoms, it is best to make a visit to the doctor to get blood work done. 

Even though a high level of eosinophils is widely discussed, a low level in itself can cause long-term effects if not treated. To be precise, low levels can cause serious health conditions like sepsis and elevated levels of cortisol in the body. Occasional lower numbers cannot cause major health problems, as the lack of eosinophils gets compensated by the presence of other cells,  but over time, it can be quite dangerous and would require treatment.

Understanding the Eosinophils Blood Test

Once a visit to the doctor is made, they usually ask you to get a blood test done, or specifically the Eosinophils Blood Test, done so as to understand if you are suffering from a low or high count. Low levels are commonly referred to as eosinopenia, and high levels are referred to as eosinophilia. 

How is the Test Done?

Often referred to as the Absolute Eosinophil Count, the test requires the healthcare professional to collect a sample of the blood from the patient and send it to the lab for testing. It does not usually require fasting. Make sure to inform your doctor of any medication that you have been taking, since there are quite a number of medicines that can interfere with the test results. The lab results typically take about 24-48 hours, which is subject to variation. 

Significance of the Test

The Eosinophils test has divergent interpretations. Usually, the normal eosinophil count lies within 30 to 350 cells per microlitre of blood. In case the value is more than 500, medical attention and care would be required, depending on whether it is mild (500-1500), moderate (1500-5000), or severe (>5000). In case you fall into the category of having a count less than 30, make sure to consult the doctor, as eosinopenia for an extended period of time can become the cause of life-threatening diseases. 

What are the Treatment Options Available?

Treatment for an abnormal eosinophil count focuses on addressing the underlying condition causing the imbalance rather than the eosinophil count itself. The appropriate treatment will depend on whether the count is high or low, the severity of symptoms, and the root cause identified through further testing. Once the underlying issue is diagnosed, your doctor can recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific health needs.

Treatment Plan for High Eosinophil Count

In case of a high eosinophil count, there is no single treatment plan that is followed. Specifically, the treatment plan chosen depends on the main cause of the spike in count. The reasons behind the high count and the treatment plan followed are discussed below:

• Skin Issues, Allergies, and Asthma: In case of skin issues, allergies, and asthma, the doctors prescribe you a nasal spray, biologics, and antihistamines.
• Medication Side-Effects: A high eosinophil count can also happen when you start taking a new medication. Under such situations, you would be asked to stop the medication, or a substitute medicine would be given.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: In case high levels of eosinophils are detected in the gastrointestinal tract, the treatment plan involves a combination of diet therapy and medication (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, biologics).
• Parasitic or Fungal Infections: The doctor prescribes a dose of antiparasitic and antifungal infections. 

In case of a worst-case scenario, which is organ damage, an immediate treatment plan by the doctor would be to bring down the level by giving corticosteroids, and also start with chemotherapy. 

Treatment Plan for Low Eosinophil Count

Usually, in case of low eosinophil count, the doctors first check through the medical history of the patient to figure out the actual cause. In most of the cases, it is either the medication or some untreated infections. Once they identify the cause, they will start with the treatment accordingly. In case it is due to infection, they would suggest the patient start with antimicrobial therapy, and for the issues caused by medication, the medication dosage may be altered or changed. 

Is it Possible to Prevent Eosinophilia?

It is very well possible to prevent eosinophilia (high eosinophil count) if you are able to effectively avoid the triggering factors. It involves early detection and treatment of allergies, maintaining good hygiene and safety, along with regularly getting medicines checked for the prevention of these symptoms. Additionally, there are also some practical steps that can be followed-

• Thoroughly wash all the fruits and vegetables before consumption, and always avoid eating undercooked or raw seafood, meat, and fish, as these act as the potential breeding grounds for parasites. 
• Maintain clean and dust-free surroundings, especially in cases where you are allergic to dust and pollen, which can trigger and elevate your symptoms. 
• Ensure to thoroughly check and get approval from the doctor before changing or stopping a prescribed medication. 

Once you get diagnosed with eosinophilia, following the preventive measures cannot be the only way to keep a check on your health. Apart from all these possible ways, you also need to regularly consult a doctor, who will help you to follow a treatment plan, which will help to keep the eosinophil count within the normal range. 

Moving Forward

Health needs to be of utmost priority, which is why it is always advisable to get blood tests and a body check-up done on a regular basis. Many times, we tend to ignore the root cause of our disease and end up taking the wrong medication, without proper consultation with the doctor. Also, regular blood tests done to check the eosinophil count would also help to avoid prolonged infection and allergic reactions, which in turn will help avoid serious health conditions. Things cannot be reversed in terms of health, but prevention can be done so as to avoid stressful situations. 

This is where Niva Bupa Health Insurance comes into action. Our health insurance plan helps you to cover diagnostic tests, health check-ups, doctor visits, and OPD charges. It is a quick, hassle-free service, where you get to avail the maximum benefits of healthcare. Plan smart with us and choose the best health plan, so you don’t have to run around at the last moment in times of health crisis. 

FAQs

1. What is the normal Eosinophil count?

The normal Eosinophil count lies within the range of 30 to 350 cells per microlitre of blood. Values less than 30 fall in the low range, and values more than 500 indicate a high eosinophil count, suggesting the body is fighting of an infection. 

2. Is fasting required before the test?

No, fasting is not required before taking the test. You are allowed to eat and drink before the test. But it is always advisable to let your doctor know of the medications you are taking, as some of them can interfere with the test results.  

3. Are there reasons for a high eosinophil count?

The major reason for high eosinophil count is allergic reactions and parasitic infections. Sometimes, it can also happen as a side effect of certain medications you took as part of your treatment plan for a particular disease.

4. Can dietary changes help in controlling eosinophil count?

Certain foods can play a crucial role in creating a balanced immune system and also reducing inflammation. Anti-inflammatory foods like ginger, turmeric, leafy greens, and Omega-3-rich fish would be a great choice. Along with that, you can also include nuts, citrus fruits, and bell peppers that would act as a source of vitamins and antioxidants. Additionally, probiotics can also be included in the diet, which will help in maintaining good gut health. All these can help in overall improvement and controlling eosinophil count.