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Blood Tests Eosinophils |
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Blood Tests Eosinophils - Eosinophils Blood Test Preparation, Results
The eosinophils blood test or the absolute eosinophil count measures the eosinophils, which are a kind of white blood cells. Though the eosinophils remain inactive most of the time, they become active when there is an allergic infection or a disease. There may also be some other medical conditions that cause eosinophils.
The blood test for eosinophils is performed by drawing blood from a vein. In the blood test, the eosinophils count is measured to find out if the body is experiencing an allergic reaction or not. Like in most blood tests, eosinophils are also tested using markers. A stain is added to the sample. This stain causes the eosinophils to turn orange-red. These orange-red granules are then counted to see how many of them are present per 100 white blood cells.
Eosinophils Blood Test Preparation
There are no special preparations required for this test. However, the eosinophils count may increase due to consumption of certain medicines like amphetamines, tranquilizers, antibiotics, laxatives, and interferon. If you are under any of these medications, it is best to discuss it with your doctor before you take the test.
The test is usually performed as a follow up to another test known as the blood differential. Your doctor may feel that you have a specific disease, because of which, the eosinophils blood test may be ordered. The test specifically helps to diagnose allergic reactions, parasitic infections, hypereosinophilic syndrome, or the early stages of a disease known as the Cushing’s disease.
Eosinophils Blood Test Results
The eosinophils percentage is calculated in the blood test results. The normal test results may vary from place to place; therefore, the specific diagnosis of the results should be taken from the laboratory. The most widely accepted normal result is when the eosinophils cells are less than 350 cells per microliter.
If you get an abnormal result, it means that you could be suffering from eczema, allergic reactions, hay fever, asthma, or leukemia. There is also a high probability of suffering from parasitic infections. In most of the cases where the eosinophils blood test result is abnormal, it is related to parasitic infections. However, if you have an eosinophil count which is less than normal, it could be due to alcohol intoxication or a condition where the body produces abnormally high quantities of steroids such as cortisol.
The test is generally not used to make a diagnosis. Rather, it is used to confirm a diagnosis made by a doctor on the basis of prior testing.
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Submitted on
March 3, 2010 |
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