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Basophils are white blood cells that release enzymes during allergic reactions. Your level can be higher or lower than normal for many reasons, and an abnormal result does not always point to a condition that needs care.[1]
On this page you can read what basophils are, what the guidelines say about a low or high level, what affects your level and which values are best to look at alongside it.
Also known as: basophils, basophilic white blood cells. At the lab: GBBX.
White blood cells are made in your bone marrow. They are found in your blood and in your lymph tissue. They are an important part of your immune defence. There are five types, and basophils are one of them.[1]
Basophils release enzymes during allergic reactions. They also do this during attacks of breathlessness caused by a condition of the airways.[1]
A blood differential measures the number or percentage of each type of white blood cell. A separate test measures the total number of white blood cells in your blood.[1]
The five types of white blood cells each do a different job. Measuring them separately gives your healthcare provider important information about your health.[1]
The test is often part of a routine check-up. It can also help find the cause of symptoms, such as feeling unusually tired or weak, or bruising for no clear reason.[1]
A healthcare provider can also use the test to monitor an existing blood condition.[1]
Labplusarts, the lab BioProfile works with, measures basophils as a count per litre of blood, in 10^9/l. A widely used handbook for doctors gives 0 to 0.15 10^9/l as the usual range for adults. Your own result shows the range the lab uses for your test.[2]
| Value | What it means | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 0.15 10^9/l[2] | Usual range | Adults |
Source: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, normal white blood cell values in adults.[2]
MedlinePlus describes causes for the total white blood cell count, not for basophils separately. A low total can point to a bone marrow disease, a condition of the immune system or certain medicines, such as antibiotics. Your healthcare provider also looks at your symptoms, your medical history and other blood tests.[1]
Here too, MedlinePlus is describing the total white blood cell count. A high total can point to allergic reactions, an inflammatory condition, a condition of the immune system, a condition of the blood or lymph nodes, or certain steroids. An abnormal result does not always point to a condition that needs care.[1]
BioProfile is working on its own zones for each value, from risk to optimal. A doctor reviews those zones before they appear in your result.
Smoking and alcohol can affect your result, without there necessarily being a condition behind it.[1]
Certain steroids can raise your total white blood cell count. Certain medicines, such as antibiotics, can lower it.[1]
A physical injury or severe stress can affect your result. Allergic reactions can raise your total white blood cell count.[1]
Basophils are included in all five packages, from BioProfile 31 to BioProfile 150.[3]
The BioProfile editorial team wrote this page on 4 October 2026 from the sources below, which we read on 4 October 2026. Every number on this page appears in one of those sources, with that source's number next to it. An expert is still to review this page; after that review, the expert's name and the date of the review will appear at the top. This page gives explanation, not a diagnosis. Discuss a level outside the range with your GP.
