Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) in Dehradun

What is a Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC)?

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell specialised for two jobs: attacking parasites and driving allergic inflammation. The Absolute Eosinophil Count reports how many are actually present in each microlitre of blood, and that distinction from the percentage figure on a Differential Leukocyte Count matters more than it sounds. A DLC percentage is relative, so if the total white count is low for some unrelated reason, the eosinophil percentage can look high while the true number is perfectly normal, and the reverse also happens. The absolute count removes that arithmetic and is therefore what doctors act on. In India a raised eosinophil count is common and the two dominant explanations are allergic disease, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and urticaria, and parasitic worm infestation, which remains widespread. Drug reactions are a third important cause. Persistently very high counts, well beyond the usual allergic range, need proper investigation because they can damage the heart, lungs and nerves over time and occasionally indicate a blood disorder.

Why take this test?

An AEC is advised for allergic symptoms that persist or recur: sneezing and a blocked or running nose through the year, wheeze or breathlessness, a chronic cough particularly at night, itchy skin, eczema, or hives that keep coming back. It is a standard part of asthma assessment and of judging whether allergic inflammation is being controlled by treatment. It is also indicated where worm infestation is suspected, for instance with unexplained abdominal pain, loose stools, itching around the anus, or an unexplained anaemia, in which case a stool examination is usually done alongside. Doctors order it when a Complete Blood Count has flagged a raised eosinophil percentage and the true number needs establishing, and when a new medicine is suspected of causing a reaction. It is a simple, inexpensive test taken from the same sample as a CBC.

• Year-round sneezing, blocked nose or allergic rhinitis
• Asthma, wheeze or a chronic night-time cough
• Eczema, itching or recurrent hives
• Suspected worm infestation or unexplained abdominal symptoms
• A raised eosinophil percentage on a Complete Blood Count
• Suspected reaction to a new medicine

Normal reference ranges

Ranges are indicative for adults. Your report carries the lab-specific reference range and is reviewed by a LabONE pathologist; always interpret results with your doctor.

FAQs: Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) in Dehradun