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Hematology

Basophils in your blood: what a high or low value means

Basophils are white blood cells that hold histamine, a substance that is released in an allergic reaction and can then cause symptoms. According to the NVKC they normally make up only 0 to 2 percent of your white blood cells.

Your basophil count can come out higher with allergic conditions, inflammatory conditions and chronic myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow, and lower after corticosteroids are given. Only a blood test shows how many basophils you have.

Star-SHL counts 0.0 to 0.15 × 10^9/l as normal; at Unilabs (from age 15), Certe (adults) and Diagnostiek voor U the upper limit is 0.2 × 10^9/l. A result of 0.0 × 10^9/l therefore falls within the range for adults at all four.

Doctor's Assessment Included

Basophils are one of the five types of white blood cell, normally 0 to 2 percent of the total according to the NVKC. The upper limit for adults is 0.15 × 10^9/l at Star-SHL and 0.2 × 10^9/l at Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U.

  • Basophils take part in allergic reactions and, according to the NVKC, occur mainly in tissues where those take place, such as skin, nose and lungs; their number in the bloodstream therefore says little about those allergic reactions.
  • A raised basophil count can occur with allergic and inflammatory conditions and with some forms of leukaemia.
  • For adults, a low basophil count falls within the range at Star-SHL, Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U, because their lower limit is zero or absent.

Reference Ranges

See the value that applies to you:

Choose male or female — this range differs by sex.

Enter your age — this range changes with age.

This range also depends on context such as cycle phase or sample material; the highlighted rows apply to your group.

Male Your group
10^9/l
Low 0 Normal 0.2 High
Female Your group
10^9/l
Low 0 Normal 0.2 High

Source: NVKC — Nederlandse Vereniging voor Klinische Chemie en Laboratoriumgeneeskunde Reference population: Adults (NVKC)

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

Check your own value

Basophils: what Dutch laboratories use

Reference ranges by group, in 10^9/l
Star-shl · Everyone 0.00–0.15 10^9/l
0 0.15
Unilabs · Everyone · 15 years and older · a limit, not a range < 0.2 10^9/l
0.2
Certe · Male · 18 years and older 0.0–0.2 10*9/L
0 0.2
Certe · Female · 18 years and older 0.0–0.2 10*9/L
0 0.2
Diagnostiek voor U · Everyone · a limit, not a range < 0.2 /nL
0.2
0 0.22 10^9/l

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Certe

Source: Diagnostiek voor U

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

Basophils: what this test measures

A basophil count gives the number of basophils in billions per litre of blood (× 10^9/l), as part of the white cell differential, the split of the white blood cells over five types.

With an abnormal differential, Star-SHL also assesses the blood picture under the microscope.

Basophils: why this value matters

A basophil count of 0.0 × 10^9/l lies within the normal adult range, because Star-SHL, Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U do not set the lower limit above zero.

That fits a small group of cells: according to the NVKC, basophils form 0 to 2 percent of your white blood cells under normal conditions.

Basophils: how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Basophils: when is testing worthwhile?

According to the NVKC, the count of your basophils is always done as part of a full blood test.

Basophils: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

A basophil value of 0.0 × 10^9/l falls within the adult range of Star-SHL, Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U, because none of them uses a lower limit above zero. According to a review, a truly low count is rare; corticosteroids and active chronic hives, a skin condition with recurring wheals, are two situations in which it is seen.

High Levels

A basophil value above 0.15 × 10^9/l falls outside the range at Star-SHL. At Unilabs from age 15, at Certe for adults and at Diagnostiek voor U, the upper limit is 0.2 × 10^9/l. See a doctor with a raised value, because according to the NVKC a raised basophil count can result from leukaemia, a form of blood cancer, among other causes.

Basophils: causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

  • Corticosteroids

    A fall in the basophil count is consistently observed after corticosteroids are given.

  • Active chronic hives

    In chronic hives the basophil count is reduced during active phases and recovers when the hives are under control.

  • Active lupus (SLE)

    In active lupus (SLE), an autoimmune disease, a low basophil count is a hallmark according to a review.

What raises the value

  • Allergy

    According to a US review, a raised basophil count can occur with allergic conditions, although a rise without other abnormalities is rare.

  • Inflammatory conditions

    According to a US review, the basophil count can be raised with inflammatory conditions, although an isolated rise is rare.

  • Leukaemia

    According to the NVKC, a raised basophil count can result from some forms of leukaemia, such as chronic and acute myeloid leukaemia, often together with more eosinophils.

  • Toxic substances

    According to the NVKC, the number of basophils in the blood can be raised after exposure to toxic substances.

  • Radiation

    According to the NVKC, the number of basophils in the blood can be raised after exposure to radiation.

Basophils: lifestyle and this value

Compare your basophil value with the upper limit of the laboratory that tested your blood: for adults Star-SHL sets it at 0.15 × 10^9/l, and Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U at 0.2 × 10^9/l. If your value lies above it, take the whole result to a doctor, so they can also look at your other white blood cells.

Basophils: frequently asked questions

Which basophil value is normal?

A normal basophil value at Star-SHL is 0.0 to 0.15 × 10^9/l. Unilabs from age 15, Certe for adults and Diagnostiek voor U use an upper limit of 0.2 × 10^9/l.

What does a high basophil value mean?

According to a US review, a high basophil value can fit allergic conditions, inflammatory conditions or chronic myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer. Discuss a high value with a doctor.

Do corticosteroids lower my basophil count?

Yes, according to a review a low basophil count is a consistent effect after corticosteroids are given, for example by drip.

Basophils: sources

  1. Nederlandse Vereniging voor Klinische Chemie en Laboratoriumgeneeskunde. Basofiele granulocyten. "Normaal bedraagt het percentage basofiele granulocyten slechts 0% -2% van het totaal aantal witte bloedcellen. Dit komt overeen met een hoeveelheid van 0 - 0,2x10ˆ9 cellen per liter." De bron maakt geen onderscheid tussen mannen en vrouwen en geeft geen leeftijdsindeling. Geraadpleegd 14 augustus 2026. (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl
  2. Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
  3. Certe, Bepalingenwijzer (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl
  4. Diagnostiek voor U, eLabgids (Referentiewaarden DvU), diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu
  5. Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
  6. Shah H, Eisenbarth S, Tormey CA, Siddon AJ. Behind the scenes with basophils: an emerging therapeutic target. Immunother Adv 2021;1(1):ltab008 (retrieved 2026) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Riley LK, Rupert J. Evaluation of Patients with Leukocytosis. Am Fam Physician 2015;92(11):1004-1011 (retrieved 2026) aafp.org
  8. NVKC, Alles over testen: Basofiele granulocyten, allesovertesten.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-07 (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl

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