Do I need a Basophils % test?

Do you experience regular allergies, unexplained inflammation, or slow-healing wounds? Your basophils—tiny immune cells that make up less than 1% of your white blood cells—may play a bigger role in how your body responds than you realise.

Basophils % measures the proportion of these specialised white blood cells in your blood, reflecting how your immune system is working at a cellular level.

Understanding your basophil levels can help you and your healthcare practitioner gain insight into your immune function and potential inflammatory patterns. It's a simple marker that forms part of Listen Health's immune function assessment, empowering you to make informed decisions about your wellbeing based on your own biology.

Basophils % — Key Facts
MeasuresA type of white blood cell that make up less than 1% of all the white blood cells in your blood.
CategoryImmune Function
Unit%
Tested inListen Health Standard & Premium membership (100+ biomarkers)
Reviewed byDr Jamie Deans, MBChB

What is it?

Basophils help your body’s immune system work properly. They play a key role in fighting off parasites, responding to allergies, and helping wounds heal. When activated, basophils release substances like histamine and cytokines (such as IL-4 and IL-13) that help control inflammation and allergic reactions. They also help regulate other immune cells and can influence tissue repair and even cancer processes.

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Why does it matter?

A normal basophils percentage is about 0.5–1%. If your basophil percentage is higher or lower than normal, it may mean your body is reacting to something, such as allergies, infections, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, or rarely, certain blood cancers. However, small changes are common and often not a cause for concern.

Root Causes and Associated Conditions

  • High basophils (%) may be linked to allergies (like hay fever or asthma), chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases (such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), infections (especially parasites), or certain blood disorders.

  • Low basophils (%) is less common and usually not a problem, but can be seen in acute infections or after taking certain medications.

References

  1. Poto, R., Gambardella, A. R., Marone, G., et al. (2022). Basophils from allergy to cancer. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 1056838. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1056838
    Karasuyama, H., Mukai, K., Tsujimura, Y., & Obata, K. (2009). Newly discovered roles for basophils: A neglected minority gains new respect. Nature Reviews Immunology, 9(1), 9–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri2458

  2. Dijkstra, D., & Meyer-Bahlburg, A. (2017). Human basophils modulate plasma cell differentiation and maturation. The Journal of Immunology, 198(1), 229–238. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1601144

  3. Marone, G., Schroeder, J. T., Mattei, F., et al. (2020). Is there a role for basophils in cancer? Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 2103. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.02103

  4. Marone, G., Gambardella, A. R., Mattei, F., et al. (2020). Basophils in tumor microenvironment and surroundings. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1224, 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35723-8_2

Frequently Asked Questions

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AHPRA Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and should not replace individual medical advice. Always discuss your test results and health concerns with a registered healthcare practitioner.