Basophils are very large granulocytes that form in the bone marrow and then enter the bloodstream. Basophils circulate in the blood for only a few hours. Then they penetrate into the tissues, where their life expectancy is about 8-12 days.
Basophils are the smallest group of white blood cells. Therefore, if basophils are elevated in an adult, then this most often indicates the occurrence of any diseases in the body. In order to correctly determine what caused the increase in the number of basophils in the blood, it should be borne in mind that they perform many important functions in the body. For example, basophils maintain blood flow in small vessels, provide a migration pathway for other white blood cells, and also have an effective effect on the growth of new capillaries. At the same time, they take part in allergic and cellular inflammatory reactions. The mechanism of action is this: basophils, when they enter the tissues, turn into mast cells containing histamine, which, in turn, is an active biological substance, stimulates the manifestation of allergies. That is, when a basophil meets an allergen, it degranulates: the granules that are inside break down, resulting in biological active components entering the bloodstream. It is thanks to the basophils that the poison that enters the body during the bite of an insect is instantly blocked in the tissues and does not spread further through the body. In addition, basophils include such an element as heparin. With its help, blood coagulation is regulated.
Basophils are capable of phagocytosis and chemotaxis, but they have practically no value in the body's immune system. This fact is explained by their low content. So the number of basophils contained in the body of an adult should be 0.5-1% of all white blood cells. If basophils are higher than normal, then this condition is called basophilia. In clinical practice, it is very rare. Among the reasons why basophils may be elevated in an adult, the following pathological conditions and diseases are distinguished:
- ulcerative colitis, inflammatory chronic diseases of the intestinal tract;
- chronic sinusitis;
- blood diseases: lyphogranulomatosis, chronic myelogenous leukemia, acute leukemia, true polycythemia;
- myxedema;
- Hodgkin's disease;
- hemolytic anemia;
- allergic reactions;
- diabetes;
- lungs' cancer;
- lack of vitamin B12 in the body;
- smallpox
- taking antithyroid drugs and estrogens.
It is interesting to know that not only basophils can be elevated in an adult, but also lowered. Reducing basophils in the blood is called basopenia. It has no diagnostic value, it can provoke:
- various acute infections;
- stress;
- hyperthyroidism;
- Cushing's disease;
- corticosteroid use.
Women need to know that basophils in the blood can be increased or decreased during ovulation, at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, and also during pregnancy. If it was these factors that caused the increased or decreased content of basophils, then there is no cause for concern, they will then by themselves recover to the required level.
If basophils are elevated in an adult due to the use of any medications, then their intake should be stopped immediately. If the cause is a deficiency of vitamin B12, then it is necessary to make up for its deficiency. This can be done by eating foods such as meat, eggs, liver, milk, cheese. If the reason lies in other diseases, then it is necessary that the doctor prescribe treatment. When the disease goes away, basophils normalize.