Total Circulating Eosinophil Count

Eosinophils, allergy & worms

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions and in fighting some parasites, such as intestinal worms. This test gives the actual number of eosinophils in a measured amount of blood, sometimes called the absolute eosinophil count, which is more precise than the percentage shown on a routine white cell count. It helps your doctor look into allergy, asthma and possible worm infections.

• Allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever or eczema
• Suspected worm or other parasite infection
• A raised eosinophil percentage on a routine blood count
• A long-lasting cough or wheeze without a clear cause
• Skin rashes or reactions that may be linked to a medicine

You do not need to fast. Eosinophil counts tend to be lower in the morning and higher later in the day, and steroid medicines, including tablets and some inhalers, can lower them, so tell your doctor if you use them. Do not stop any medicine without advice.

Sample

Blood sample

How it works

At your home, a trained collector draws a little blood from a vein in your arm. Because eosinophils vary through the day, it helps to have any repeat test collected at a similar time.

Report

Within 24 hours of collection.

The report gives your eosinophil count with the laboratory's range. A high count is most often linked to allergy, asthma or a parasite infection, and can also occur with some medicines or skin conditions; less commonly it points to other conditions that need further tests. A low count is usually not a concern on its own and can be caused by steroid medicines or acute stress. Your doctor will interpret the result with your symptoms and may suggest stool or allergy tests.

One test: Total Circulating Eosinophil Count, from one blood sample.