Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that have an important role in the immune system. Under certain circumstances, the level of eosinophils in the body can show a picture of a person's health.
Eosinophils are produced in the spinal cord. The normal level of eosinophils is 30-350 eosinophil cells per microliter of blood or about 0-6 percent. To determine the level of eosinophils in the body, you need to do a white blood count test. The results of this test will show levels of every type of white blood cell, including eosinophils.
Eosinophil function
Similar to other types of white blood cells, eosinophils are also part of the immune system that functions to protect the body from disease. However, eosinophils have a special role, namely:
- Against relatively large parasites and bacteria, such as worms.
- Helps control the immune response, especially to allergies.
Because of this unique role, blood levels of eosinophils can be a sign of certain conditions, such as helminth infections and allergies.
Relationship between the number of eosinophils and body health
Some diseases can cause eosinophil levels to be abnormally high or low. Eosinophil levels below normal can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption or an excess of the hormone cortisol in the body (Cushing's syndrome).
Meanwhile, high levels of eosinophils can be found in the following diseases:
1. Eczema
High levels of eosinophils can indicate allergies, and one of them is eczema. In addition to increased levels of eosinophils, eczema is also characterized by dry, itchy, scaly skin, bumps, to the appearance of brownish red patches.
2. Worm infection
High levels of eosinophils can also be a sign of worm infection, one of which is filariasis. Filariasis, or more commonly known as elephantiasis, is a filarial worm infection that attacks lymph vessels and is transmitted through mosquito bites.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis
Increased levels of eosinophils can be found in the disease rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with this disease generally experience symptoms in the form of joint pain, swollen joints, stiff joints, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.
4. Leukemia
Leukemia is a blood cancer that can also cause eosinophil levels to increase. The cause of leukemia is not known with certainty. Even so, there are several things that are thought to increase the risk of this disease, namely heredity, genetic disorders, blood disorders, and a history of cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy).
In addition to the diseases above, high levels of eosinophils can also indicate several other diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammation of the gallbladder, hypereosinophilia syndrome, and lymphatic filariasis. Other cancers, such as ovarian, lung, and stomach cancer, can also cause elevated levels of eosinophils.
Other conditions that may also cause elevated eosinophil levels are the use of certain types of drugs, such as appetite suppressants (amphetamines), laxatives containing psyllium, and antibiotics.
The number of eosinophils in the blood can indeed be an indication of a person's health condition. However, to determine a disease, it cannot only be based on eosinophil levels. Doctors will also usually carry out other examinations before determining the diagnosis of a disease.