What causes an increase in the levels of eosinophils?

Question

Hello doctor,

My WBC count was 27,000, with normal RBC, platelet, and hemoglobin count. The differential WBC count showed reduced neutrophils and lymphocytes, but monocytes and basophils were perfectly normal. My eosinophil count was high after the doctor (hematologist) started steroids; my WBC count came down just near the limit but not below it, though eosinophils were reduced to half while neutrophils and lymphocytes came back to normal. Basophil, monocytes, RBCs, platelets, and hemoglobin were the same as before (normal). Again continuing the steroids, the eosinophil count came near the limit though not below the limit. My IgE levels are also high, and I have no symptoms like bone pain, stomach pain, fatigue, or weight loss; instead, I have gained weight. I am feeling extremely normal, like I had felt for years. I came across these abnormal results when I did CBC because we thought I might have low hemoglobin. My age is 17. What might be the possible causes?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

High eosinophils suggests various causes like allergic inflammation of the respiratory tract, asthma, hay fever, certain skin disease, parasitic infection, etc. Your skin examination and respiratory tract examination should be done. If needed, allergic testing can be done. If no allergy cause is found, then further workup might be needed. Consult a physician for examination first; then, further workup can be planned. I hope this will help you.

Thank you.