As one of the five types of white blood cell, basophils take part in allergic reactions, in which they release substances such as histamine.
With inflammatory conditions, allergic conditions or chronic myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer, your count can rise, and after corticosteroids are given it can fall. You only see your count in a blood test.
The range at Star-SHL runs from 0.0 to 0.15 × 10^9/l, and Unilabs (from age 15), Certe (adults) and Diagnostiek voor U use 0.2 × 10^9/l as the upper limit. When you compare two measurements, allow for the measurement variation UMC Utrecht reports for its own analyser: 22 percent at 0.15 × 10^9/l and 31 percent at 0.03 × 10^9/l.
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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.
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Choose male or female — this range differs by sex.
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This range also depends on context such as cycle phase or sample material; the highlighted rows apply to your group.
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| Laboratory | Group | Reference value (10^9/l) | Relative scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
|
Source: Star-shl
Source: Unilabs
Source: Certe
Source: Diagnostiek voor U
Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.
Basophils are counted as billions per litre (× 10^9/l) in the white cell differential, the split of the white blood cells over five types.
On UMC Utrecht's own analyser, the variation of a basophil count from one measurement to the next is 22 percent at 0.15 × 10^9/l and 28.8 percent at 0.06 × 10^9/l.
According to a review, a raised basophil count is one of the diagnostic criteria for chronic myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer. According to a US review, the count can also be raised with inflammatory conditions. After exposure to toxic substances or after radiation, your basophil count can also come out higher, according to the NVKC.
According to the NVKC, counting basophils always happens as part of a full blood test.
A low basophil value, 0.0 × 10^9/l included, falls within the adult range: Star-SHL and Certe count from zero, and Unilabs and Diagnostiek voor U set no lower limit. At low counts UMC Utrecht reports a variation of 31 percent at 0.03 × 10^9/l for its own analyser. According to a review, corticosteroids, when given, can also lower the basophil count.
Discuss a raised basophil count with a doctor, who can check whether an inflammatory condition, an allergic condition or a bone marrow disease such as chronic myeloid leukaemia plays a part.
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.
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.
When comparing two basophil values, the measurement variation UMC Utrecht reports for its own analyser helps: 22 percent at 0.15 × 10^9/l and 31 percent at 0.03 × 10^9/l.
At a low basophil count, the measurement variation on UMC Utrecht's own analyser is 31 percent at 0.03 × 10^9/l, against 22 percent at 0.15 × 10^9/l.
Yes, for adults a basophil count of zero falls within the range at all four laboratories: Star-SHL and Certe start at zero, and Unilabs and Diagnostiek voor U give no lower limit. The upper limit is 0.15 × 10^9/l at Star-SHL and 0.2 × 10^9/l at Unilabs (from age 15), Certe (adults) and Diagnostiek voor U.
In leukaemia no single blood value points to the disease: according to the NVKC, the basophil count can be raised among others, often together with more eosinophils. In chronic myeloid leukaemia a raised basophil count is one of the criteria for the diagnosis.
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Medical reviewer
Dr. Naimi oversees the medical standards behind our content and assessments.
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Every result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.
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