What Causes Abnormal Basophil Count?

Abnormal basophil count can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose abnormal basophil count, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "abnormal basophil count" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):

Crohn's Disease
Asthma
Sinusitis
Myelofibrosis
Collagen Vascular Disease
Chickenpox
Eczema
Low Progesterone

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

appendix removed after age 20

significant abdominal distension

excessive flatulence

very frequent stools

very angry/hostile disposition

poor mental clarity

elevated lymphocyte count

hot flashes between period

water retention before menstruation

shortness of breath when at rest

orange stool color

occasional painful urge to defecate

... and more than 60 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of abnormal basophil count:

Cause	Probability	Status
Crohn's Disease	90%	Confirm
Myelofibrosis	26%	Unlikely
Asthma	19%	Unlikely
Collagen Vascular Disease	1%	Ruled out
Chickenpox	0%	Ruled out
Eczema	0%	Ruled out
Sinusitis	0%	Ruled out
Low Progesterone	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate having had recent lab tests, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

White Blood Cells - Basophil Percentage [fraction]

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ 0 to 2% [0.00-0.02] (normal)
→ 3 to 5% [0.03-0.05] (somewhat elevated)
→ 6 to 10% [0.06-0.10] (elevated)
→ Over 10% [0.10] (high)

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate normal basophil count, somewhat elevated basophil count, elevated basophil count or highly elevated basophil count, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Asthma

Chickenpox

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

Basophil levels are normally very low, but a high basophil count can indicate a problem with the production and growth of blood cells in the bone narrow, as occurs in myeloproliferative disorders.

Collagen Vascular Disease

Consequences of Splenectomy

Crohn's Disease

Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Eczema

Various chronic forms of dermatitis can increase basophil levels.

Hemolytic Anemia

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Hypothyroidism

Myelofibrosis

Polycythemia Vera

Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance