Eosinophil (EOS) Count Blood Test
The eosinophils (EOS) count blood test checks the number of white blood cells called eosinophils in the blood.
Description
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that helps to tackle disease. It is not clear the exact function of eosinophils in the body, but they are generally associated with allergic diseases and some infections. They are produced in the bone marrow and then spread to various tissues.
Eosinophils are responsible for two crucial things in the immune system: curb infections and increase inflammation, which can help fend off disease. For eosinophils, the key is to do their work and then go away. But if for a long time, there are too many eosinophils in the body, this is called eosinophilia. It can cause chronic inflammation that can cause tissue damage.
A high number of eosinophils are often associated with a variety of disorders, including:
- Adrenal gland deficiency
- Parasite infection, such as worms
- Allergic disease, including hay fever
- Lymphoma
- Asthma
- Leukemia and other blood disorders
- Hereosinophilic syndrome
- Autoimmune diseases
- Fungal infections
- Eczema
- Fungal infections
A low eosinophil count could be caused by:
- Overproduction of certain steroids in the body
- Alcohol intoxication