Absolute basophils measures the count of basophils (the rarest white blood cell type) per microliter of blood. Basophils release histamine and other inflammatory mediators in allergic reactions and parasitic infections.
Elevated basophils can flag chronic allergies, hypothyroidism, or rarely chronic myeloid leukemia. Low counts are common and rarely clinically significant. Most useful when interpreted alongside the full white blood cell differential.
Optimal Basophils Absolute: 0-0.1 K/µL.
Typically re-tested every 12 weeks.