Get tested with Superpower

If you’ve been postponing blood testing for years or feel frustrated by doctor appointments and limited lab panels, you are not alone. Standard healthcare is often reactive, focusing on testing only after symptoms appear or leaving patients in the dark.

Superpower flips that approach. We give you full insight into your body with over 100 biomarkers, personalized action plans, long-term tracking, and answers to your questions, so you can stay ahead of any health issues.

With physician-reviewed results, CLIA-certified labs, and the option for at-home blood draws, Superpower is designed for people who want clarity, convenience, and real accountability - all in one place.

Key benefits of Basophils, Absolute testing

• Measures the actual number of basophils circulating in your blood.
• Flags allergic reactions and helps explain persistent hives or itching.
• Spots rare blood disorders when basophil counts are unusually high.
• Guides allergy management by tracking immune system activation over time.
• Clarifies chronic inflammation when paired with other white blood cell counts.
• Supports diagnosis of myeloproliferative disorders alongside complete blood count patterns.

What is Basophils, Absolute?

Basophils are a rare type of white blood cell made in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream. They belong to a family of immune cells called granulocytes, named for the granules inside them that store powerful chemical mediators. An absolute basophil count measures the actual number of these cells circulating in your blood at a given time.

The body's alarm system for allergies and parasites

Basophils play a specialized role in allergic reactions and defense against parasites. When triggered, they release histamine and other inflammatory molecules that cause symptoms like itching, swelling, and increased mucus production. These cells act as early responders, amplifying immune signals and recruiting other defenders to sites of infection or allergic challenge.

A small population with outsized impact

Though basophils make up less than 1% of all white blood cells, their activity has significant effects on inflammation and immune coordination. The absolute count reflects how many of these sentinel cells are available to respond to threats, making it a window into certain allergic, inflammatory, and bone marrow conditions.

Why is Basophils, Absolute important?

Basophils are the rarest white blood cells, making up less than 1% of your immune army, yet they play an outsized role in allergic reactions, inflammation, and parasite defense. Their absolute count - the actual number circulating per microliter of blood - typically ranges from 0 to 200 cells, with most healthy people sitting at the lower end. This biomarker offers a window into how your immune system responds to allergens, infections, and inflammatory triggers.

When basophils drop too low

A persistently low or absent basophil count, called basopenia, is uncommon and often overlooked. It may appear during acute infections, severe allergic reactions, or after corticosteroid use. Because basophils are already scarce, a true deficiency rarely causes noticeable symptoms on its own but can signal immune system stress or suppression.

When basophils climb higher

Elevated basophils, or basophilia, suggest your body is mounting an allergic or inflammatory response. Causes include chronic allergies, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain blood disorders like chronic myeloid leukemia. Symptoms may include itching, hives, wheezing, or unexplained fatigue as histamine and other mediators flood tissues.

The bigger immune picture

Basophils don't work alone - they collaborate with mast cells, eosinophils, and IgE antibodies to orchestrate allergic and anti-parasitic defenses. Tracking their absolute count helps clinicians distinguish between reactive inflammation and underlying blood cancers, guiding decisions about allergy management, infection workup, and hematologic surveillance over time.

What do my Basophils, Absolute results mean?

Low basophil levels

Low values usually reflect normal baseline physiology, as basophils are the rarest white blood cell type and often circulate in very small numbers. Persistent absence may occur during acute stress, active infection, or after corticosteroid exposure, when these cells are recruited into tissues or suppressed. In rare cases, very low counts accompany bone marrow suppression or hyperthyroidism. Most people with low basophils have no symptoms related to the count itself.

Optimal basophil levels

Being in range suggests normal immune surveillance and appropriate mast cell lineage function. Basophils help coordinate allergic and antiparasitic responses by releasing histamine and other mediators. Optimal values typically sit at the lower end of the reference range, reflecting their scarcity in circulation. Stability over time indicates balanced immune regulation without ongoing allergic activation or myeloproliferative activity.

High basophil levels

High values usually reflect chronic allergic conditions, parasitic infection, or inflammatory states such as ulcerative colitis. Persistent elevation raises concern for myeloproliferative disorders, including chronic myeloid leukemia, where basophil expansion is a hallmark feature. Modest increases may accompany hypothyroidism or recovery from infection.

Factors that influence basophil counts

Basophil counts vary with immune activation, medication use, and hematologic conditions. Corticosteroids and acute stress lower counts, while chronic inflammation and certain blood cancers raise them. Pregnancy and age have minimal direct effect on basophils compared to other white cell types.