What Causes Increasing Eosinophil Count In Blood Work?

Posted on Mon, 27 Nov 2023

Question: I have had blood work done several times over the past couple months and each time I get the blood counts back my eosinophils have been going up. The lab range said the normal is 0.04-0.54 but mine is 0.73 and 14%. Is this anything I should be concerned about? Before it was always around 0.10-0.20 until just a few months ago.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Take antihistamine group of drugs

Detailed Answer:
Hi

After going through your history high eosinophils in your blood report could be due to seasonal allergy.

There is nothing to worry and I will advise you to take antihistamine group of drugs twice daily with your doctors advise for a period of 2 weeks to bring it to normal level

Regards
Dr Monish De
Oncologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (1 hour later)

I have been taking allergy pills all of my life. I take them daily. Why would this lab change all of the sudden?I have had my blood monitored regularly due to iron deficiency and low white blood cells and the eosinophils were always normal. My allergies have not been bad lately.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Blood and stool test for parasite

Detailed Answer:
Hi

The other most common cause of high eosinophil count is parasitic disease

I would advise you blood test and stool test for detecting parasites.

Regards
Dr Monish De
Oncologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (9 hours later)

When do you normally consider eosinophilia significant enough to investigate? I have spoke with my doctor about it yet and wasn't sure if I should ask or not.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Complete blood count and differential count after 1 month.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

The normal eosinophil count in blood is 0.0-6.0

Yours is 0.73.

I do not think you should be worried and no need of asking your doctor.

But i would advise you to do a complete blood count and differential count after 1 month.

Regards
Dr Monish De
Oncologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (27 minutes later)

My labs are different. Mine says eosinophils less than 6% is normal I was 14% . We must use different measurements. It has been rising over the past few months

Answered by Dr. Monish De (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bone marrow test

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Since your eosinophils are on the higher side, I will advise you to do a bone marrow test to rule out anything concerning.

Regards
Dr Monish De
Oncologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (31 minutes later)

What would they look for in the bone marrow test? I have seen a hematologist in the past but I guess I will just see my primary doctor first. My ortho surgeon ordered this last blood test for clearance for surgery and just happens to find it has increased more. So I don't know if my primary doctor even saw it.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
To rule out CML

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Bone marrow examination is necessary to rule out certain hematological pathologies like acute leukemias and myeloproliferative disorders such as chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) which can cause the eosinophil count to be such high.

Regards
Dr Monish De
Oncologist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee