For eosinophils, the key is to do their work and then go away. They are produced in the bone marrow and then spread to various tissues.Įosinophils are responsible for two crucial things in the immune system: curb infections and increase inflammation, which can help fend off disease. It is not clear the exact function of eosinophils in the body, but they are generally associated with allergic diseases and some infections. If all white cells counts are low, this can signal a problem with the bone marrow.Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that helps to tackle disease. Unless alcohol abuse or Cushing’s disease is suspected, low levels of eosinophils are not usually of concern unless other white cell counts are also abnormally low. Under normal conditions, eosinophil counts are lowest in the morning and highest in the evening. Low eosinophil counts may also be due to the time of day. Cortisol is a hormone naturally produced by the body. This can be due to any of the following:Īn abnormally low eosinophil count can be the result of intoxication from alcohol or excessive production of cortisol, like in Cushing’s disease. Eosinophilia is classified as either mild (500–1,500 eosinophil cells per microliter), moderate (1,500 to 5,000 eosinophil cells per microliter), or severe ( greater than 5,000 eosinophil cells per microliter). If you have over 500 eosinophil cells per microliter of blood, then it indicates you have a disorder known as eosinophilia. In children, eosinophil levels vary with age. In adults, a normal blood sample reading will show fewer than 500 eosinophil cells per microliter of blood. Eosinophils play a significant role in the inflammation related to allergies, eczema, and asthma. Allergies are immune responses that often involve chronic inflammation. It helps isolate and control the immune response at the site of an infection, but a side effect is tissue damage around it. They also have a role in the inflammatory response, especially if an allergy is involved. Eosinophils destroy invading germs like viruses, bacteria, or parasites such as hookworms. Two important functions are within your immune system. It appears now that nearly every system of the body relies on eosinophils in some way. Ongoing research continues to uncover an expanding list of roles performed by eosinophils. Abnormal eosinophil levels are often discovered as part of a routine complete blood count (CBC) test. Elevated levels often mean your body is sending more and more white blood cells to fight off infections.Īn eosinophil count is a blood test that measures the quantity of eosinophils in your body. Elevated levels of white blood cells in your blood can be an indicator that you have an illness or infection. The number and type of each white blood cell in your body can give doctors a better understanding of your health. The bone marrow continually replenishes the body’s white blood cell supply. Eosinophils are stored in tissues throughout the body, surviving for up to several weeks.
An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell.
Your bone marrow produces all five of the different kinds of white blood cells in the body.Įach white blood cell lives anywhere from several hours to several days in the blood stream. They’re vital to protecting you from invading bacteria, viruses, and parasites. White blood cells are an important part of your body’s immune system.