Eosinophils - Allergies Message Board

va_girl64 · 05-26-2005, 09:35 AM

I just went to a pulmonary doctor for shortness of breath that has been going on for some time now. After a complete exam he said my lungs were fine but I had increased white cells in my blood also know as eosinophils due to my allergies. He said I needed to see an allergist or it could turn into asthma. I saw him circle the number 13.. does anyone know anything about what this means. Can it cause me the shortness of breath I'm feeling? Thanks for any help.

kehorner · 05-27-2005, 02:37 AM

The number 13 is probably refering to the amount of eosinophils, which are a specific type of white blood cell. I looked at one of my old labs, and it appears that they calculate the total number of all types of white blood cells, and then report what percent of the total white blood cells is made up of eosinophils. The normal range listed on my lab sheet was 0-7%. Mine was 12% last summer, but down to 6% in the fall. It depends on current reactions, I think. Basically, allergies occur when a harmless substance comes into your body, but your immune system gets confused and thinks that that substance is dangerous. So it gets all revved up and attacks that substance. The particular immune cells that are involved in this reaction are the eosinophils. So 13% means that you have a lot of extra eosinophils running around in your blood, indicating that you have an allergy.

You probably should see an allergist. Allergies can definitely cause breathing problems. The allergist will do a physical exam and may recommend allergy testing. This is usually a skin test which determines what things you are allergic to. Based on the results of the testing and your physical exam, you can work out a treatment plan. It may be as simple as avoiding a trigger. However, you may need to take medication, and they may recommend allergy shots. Although it sounds annoying (and painful!) to get shots every week or two, they can really help with allergies.

Hope that helps.

reader1 · 05-30-2005, 08:15 AM

Ditto what kehorner posted, but keep in mind without seeing the context of the #13 that he circled, it's impossible to completely know what your doctor was circling, although kehorner's assumption is probably accurate.

Allergies can certainly cause shortness of breath - they can trigger both constriction as well as inflammation in the sinuses and/or lungs, which means reduction of air flow.

va_girl64 · 06-12-2005, 08:38 AM

Thanks for your responses! I never knew that allergies could cause shortness of breath.. thought that was reserved for asthma. lol. I have had allergy testing done (they tested for 65 different things, no foods) and I was allergic to all 65!! Ughhh, well guess I'll have to go back and start taking my 3 weekly shots again. Take Care all and thanks again.