There are many types of white blood cells that are necessary for our body both to regulate its basic functioning and to fight when it encounters a foreign substance. One of them is called eosinophil and appears with the abbreviation EOS in complete blood count tests. Conditions such as high and low EOS value are extremely important as they give a lot of information about the general health system of the person.
The function of the eosinophil, a type of white blood cell, is actually unknown. However, when the blood test results are high, it is seen that the person has different infections, especially allergies. Its low level can be a harbinger of other problems. Let’s see what is EOS eosinophil, what it means low and high, and most importantly, how to reduce it in all details.
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Let’s start with the basics, what is an EOS eosinophil?
Eosinophil, which appears with the abbreviation EOS in complete blood count tests, is one of the types of white blood cells that form the basis of our body’s defense mechanism. Its function in the body is not known exactly, but the level of eosinophils in the blood increases in cases of allergies and infectious diseases.
When an allergy or infection occurs in our body, the eosinophils produced in the bone marrow go to the problem area by mixing with the blood. Here, they start the fight by creating inflammation. But there is a situation like this; If the number of eosinophils increases, the body’s own tissues can also be damaged. Therefore, the level of EOS in the blood is extremely important.
What should be the ideal EOS value in the blood?
Although it varies from person to person or depending on the disease they have, the EOS value of 500 cells / mCL in the blood is considered normal as a result of the complete blood count test. Other values have the following meanings.
- 500 – 1000 cells/mCL EOS moderate
- 500 – 1500 cells/mCL EOS slightly high
- 1500 – 5000 cells/mCL medium high
- EOS high of 5000 cells/mCL and above
What does high EOS eosinophils mean and why?
- allergic diseases
- infectious diseases
- Eczema
- Asthma
- Crohn’s disease
- Some types of cancer
- celiac disease
- Different types of autoimmune diseases
Here are some of the conditions and diseases that cause high EOS eosinophils. EOS elevation is called eosinophilia. Even if there is no disease, some drugs used by the person can increase the level of EOS in the blood.
As the EOS value increases, that is, the number of eosinophils in the blood increases, the person’s allergic reactions increase, the body begins to damage its own tissues and the immune system loses power. Some slight heights may be considered insignificant depending on the person’s situation.
What does low EOS eosinophils mean and why?
- excessive alcohol consumption
- blood sugar regulation, such as hypoglycemia
- intense stress
- Using birth control pills for a long time
- Using hormone medication
- Diseases that affect hormones, such as Cushing’s syndrome
- kidney diseases
- Liver diseases
Here are some of the conditions and diseases that cause low EOS eosinophils. Low EOS is called eosinopenia. In fact, low EOS often does not make medical sense because it is desired to be low anyway. However, depending on the condition of the person, some low EOS conditions can be evaluated specifically by the physician as they may indicate another disease.
In which situations is the EOS test performed?
The EOS test, which shows the number of eosinophils in the blood, is not a special test on its own. It is a value measured by a complete blood count test, which is often requested as a standard. An assay called a hemogram test is done specifically for white blood cells and measures the types of neutrophils, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes
Since the EOS test is not specifically requested, the physician actually sees this value in the complete blood count test performed due to the suspicion of a general health disorder. EOS value is also seen in the blood test performed in infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, drug side effects, acute or chronic diseases, and if it is high or abnormally low, the physician may order different tests.
How to lower high EOS eosinophils?
If your EOS value, which indicates the number of eosinophils in the blood, is high, there is no way to lower it yourself. Because the high EOS value is caused by an allergic disease or an infection. In such a case, your physician will investigate the suspected diseases and try to reveal the cause of the high eosinophil count.
If the thing that increases the number of eosinophils in the blood is the drug you are using, it is recommended to stop or an alternative drug is given. If this condition is caused by an infection, it is cured by determining where and in what condition it is. For this purpose, you may need to use antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal or antiparasitic drugs.
Another reason for your EOS values to be high as a result of the complete blood count test may be allergic diseases. If such a situation exists, antihistamine or corticosteroid treatments can be applied. Thus, the number of eosinophils in the blood is reduced and the body balance regains its former structure.
When should you go to the doctor?
In fact, your body does not show any special symptoms when the eosinophil count in the blood is high or low. So, I guess there is a problem in the eosinophil count, you will not have any doubts. However, if the allergic reactions you experience have reached an uncomfortable point or if you feel a problem due to the infection, you should go to the doctor.
When you go to the doctor with this kind of discomfort, the important thing is to share all the details. You should clearly tell the doctor about your previously diagnosed diseases, medications you use, conditions that may cause infection, or what you think you are allergic to, even if you are not sure.
The cause of some ailments is very obvious and your doctor can make a diagnosis right away. However, in some cases, a complete blood count test is requested and an evaluation is made accordingly. This test is done with a simple blood draw. According to your blood test results, if your EOS value is high, that is, if your eosinophil count in the blood is high, the treatment process begins after the cause is determined.
We answered questions such as what is eosinophil, one of the white blood cell types that form the basis of our body’s defense mechanism, what does low and high mean, how to reduce it. What we describe is for informational purposes only. Remember that you should get the most accurate and specific information about your eosinophil count from a specialist physician, as in all health issues.
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