In the article, we consider the norm of basophils in the blood.
Basophils are the most rare category of white blood cells. They are classified as granulocytic type of white blood cells that appear and mature in the bone marrow. From there, basophils move and enter the peripheral blood, circulating along the channel for several hours. After this, cell migration in the tissue occurs. They are present there for no more than twelve days and fulfill their mission, which is to neutralize harmful and foreign organisms that are undesirable for the human body.
What is the norm of basophils, we will describe below.
Basophile Functions
Basophils include granules of histamine, heparin and serotonin, acting biologically active substances. When they come into contact with allergens, degranulation occurs. This allows you to bind allergens. Inflammatory foci are formed, which attracts other groups of white blood cells that have the ability to destroy alien, and, in addition, uninvited guests.
Basophils are prone to chemotaxis, namely to free movement through tissue. A similar movement occurs under the influence of special chemical components. They also have a predisposition to phagocytosis, that is, to the process of absorption of harmful bacteria and organisms. But this is not the main and not natural function for basophils.
Instant degranulation process
The only thing that these cells must constantly perform is the process of instant degranulation, which leads to an increase in blood flow, and, in addition, to an increase in vascular permeability and mobilization of other granulocytes directly in the focus of inflammation. So, the main purpose of basophils is the suppression of allergens, limiting their action and preventing the progress of the body.
Normal value
Next, we find out what is the norm of basophils in adults. For men, it is usually from 0.5 to 1 percent stably. The average normal basophil count for women is the same. But at different periods of life, the norm of basophils can still fluctuate slightly.
For example, an overestimated rate may indicate an increase in estrogen levels. As a rule, a similar manifestation is observed at the beginning of menstruation and with ovulation.
What is basopenia?
A level of less than 0.01 * 109 grams per liter is called basopenia. This is normal during pregnancy. This condition can occur immediately after rubella or x-ray examination. Permissible fluctuations are from 0 to 0.2 * 109 grams per liter.
There are deviations of basophils from normal in adults for various reasons. Often this means that a pathological process occurs.
Among women
Basophils are produced by bone marrow. Immediately after entering the body, they circulate for several hours throughout the circulatory system, and then move to the tissues. As soon as the bodies find a foreign agent, histamine is released from the granules along with serotonin and prostaglandin. Next, a foreign agent is bound by these substances. Additional cells come to this focus of inflammation, which also destroy the agents.
The norm of basophils in women at different ages is slightly different. So, for example, in the fair sex up to twenty-one years, such cells in the blood are in an amount of from 0.6 to 1%. In older women, from 0.5 to 1%.
The norm of basophils in children
As a rule, the level of blood elements such as basophils is fixed as a percentage in relation to the total number of leukocytes. These cells are also measured in absolute units. Their number, as a rule, is unchanged throughout a person’s life, starting from childhood. But the specific gravity of such cells varies, since it is in special limits depending on age:
- In newborns, the norm is 0.75%.
- In one-month - 0.5%.
- In children under the age of one year old - 0.6%.
- In the age of a child under twelve years, this figure is 0.7%.
- And after twelve years it is from 0.5 to 1%.
This scheme shows that in a baby who has just been born, the specific gravity of these blood elements is close to one percent. Closer to the one-year-old age, the cell level is already decreasing, and then rising again. With the start of sexual development and in the subsequent period, the optimal content of such cells will be the same as in adults, that is, no more than one percent.
The specific gravity of absolutely all types of white blood cells in infants can fluctuate significantly even during one day. This is a reaction of the body to features in the behavior of the child, who very often cries, showing concern. In addition, factors such as the introduction of complementary foods, the transfer to artificial feeding, changes in temperature and disease also influence. In this regard, in order to obtain accurate information about the content of basophils in the blood, the results are evaluated using absolute data.
How can basophils be returned to normal?
A separate therapy that will allow basophils to return to normal in a blood test, as such, does not exist. But there is a treatment for ailments accompanied by basopenia and basophilia. And yet, when the study reveals the excess of this norm by the cells, it does not hurt the patient to take care of increasing the content of vitamin B12 in the body, as well as iron. They will certainly help normalize blood formation processes and brain function.
Do not neglect such patients with natural sources containing vitamin B12. First of all, the diet must be varied with products that are of animal origin, that is, meat, eggs and milk. Soy milk along with yeast also contains B12 in the composition. Chicken liver and veal liver along with fish and red meat will help to replenish iron reserves.
As part of the moderate consumption of dry white wine, iron absorption in the body is activated. Orange juice also helps this process, which is not forbidden to drink in unlimited quantities if there are no corresponding contraindications. In order to regulate the level of basophils, it is enough for healthy people to switch to proper nutrition, to remove destructive habits in the form of smoking or addiction to hard drinks. In some situations, basophils return to normal after the cancellation of certain medications, especially antithyroids or those that contain estrogens.
Consider the absolute content of basophils in the norm.
What does absolute content mean?
The absolute content of these blood elements is an even more accurate indicator that allows you to evaluate the true amount of these cells in human blood. Normally, the absolute value, as a rule, is from 0.01 to 0.064 * 109 or 0.3 nanoliters.
Sometimes the number of these cells deviates significantly upward. What can it talk about? We will examine in more detail in this matter.
Elevated basophils: what are the causes of this pathology?
The reasons that the number of basophils in the blood rises in an adult are physiological, and, in addition, pathological factors. Among the physiological factors of basophilia, it should be noted:
- Ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle in women. At this time, a large amount of estrogen enters the bloodstream, which provokes basophilia. Also, in the event that a person is taking drugs that contain estrogens, then this fact must be reported to the doctor who prescribed a general clinical study of the biomaterial in order to avoid a false interpretation of the analysis result.
- The temporary period of convalescence after an infectious disease.
- After an X-ray examination, since small doses of radiation can increase basophils in the blood.
But often the number of basophils increases in people with various diseases, and, in addition, against the background of pathological conditions, for example:
- With hypofunction of the thyroid gland.
- Against the background of allergic reactions of an immediate type.
- In the case of the development of myeloid leukemia, characterized by a chronic course.
- Against the background of polycythemia and the development of acute leukemia.
- In the case of the development of lymphogranulomatosis and acute viral infection.
- Against the background of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- With chronic intestinal inflammation.
- Against the background of Crohn's disease and chronic dermatitis.
- If the patient has anemia due to hemolysis of red blood cells.
- In chronic inflammation of the sinuses.
- After surgery to remove the spleen.
- In the presence of radiation sickness, and, in addition, against the background of taking drugs that inhibit the function of the thyroid gland.
- Against the background of hyperestrogenemia.
Thus, basophils are a special kind of white blood cells that secrete biologically active components in inflammatory and allergic processes in the body. Since these blood components are responsible for the implementation of allergic reactions, they are often elevated in adults with anaphylactic shock, hay fever, asthma, as well as against the background of bee stings, poisonous snakes and wasps.
We examined the basophil norm in men, women, and children.