Quick answer
The Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) Test costs ₹200 at Live Line Health Care. Gives the actual number of eosinophils in your blood, the white cells linked with allergy, asthma and worm infections, rather than a CBC percentage. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready the same day.
Also known as: Absolute Eosinophil Count, Absolute Eosinophils Count, Eosinophil Count, Eosinophil Test, AEC Count, Eosinophilia Test
What is the AEC Test?
The Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) test tells you exactly how many eosinophils are in each microlitre of your blood. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that responds to allergies and parasites, and they also play a part in asthma and some skin conditions. A routine CBC usually shows them as a percentage of all white cells, which can mislead. If your total white cell count changes, that percentage can look high or normal even though the real number has not moved.
The AEC solves this by giving the actual count. For example, a total white count of 8,000 with 5% eosinophils works out to 400 cells/µL. Doctors ask for it when someone has a long-standing cough, wheeze, skin rashes or a high eosinophil percentage on a CBC. In India, worm infections and a lung condition called tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, which is linked to filarial infection, are also reasons to check. The result does not identify the allergen or parasite, but it shows how active the response is and whether further tests are worth doing. Repeat counts also help your doctor see whether treatment is working.
What it measures: The number of eosinophils per microlitre of blood, counted directly or calculated from the white cell count and eosinophil percentage.
Parameters included (1)
- Absolute Eosinophil Count (cells/µL)
Why is this test done?
- Following up a high eosinophil percentage on a CBC
- Evaluating asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema or persistent allergy
- Looking for signs of worm infection or tropical pulmonary eosinophilia
- Assessing a suspected drug reaction, especially with rash and fever
- Monitoring treatment for eosinophilic conditions
When should you get tested?
- Long-standing cough or wheeze that is worse at night
- Repeated sneezing, a blocked nose or itchy eyes
- Itchy skin rashes or eczema that keep returning
- Abdominal pain, diarrhoea or anal itching, which can suggest worms
- Rash with fever after starting a new medicine
How to prepare for the AEC Test
- 1Eating beforehand makes no difference, so fasting is not needed.
- 2Tell staff about steroid tablets, injections or inhalers, as steroids can sharply lower eosinophils. Do not stop them for the test unless your doctor says so.
- 3Give repeat samples at a similar time of day, because eosinophils tend to be lower in the morning and higher at night.
- 4Mention any recent deworming tablets or new medicines.
AEC Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Typical adult range | 40–440 cells/µL |
| Mild eosinophilia | 500–1,500 cells/µL |
| Moderate eosinophilia | 1,500–5,000 cells/µL |
| Severe eosinophilia | Above 5,000 cells/µLneeds prompt medical review |
Some labs set the upper limit at 350 or 500 cells/µL, so a borderline value may be flagged on one report and not on another. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A mildly high AEC is most often due to allergy, asthma, eczema or a worm infection.
- Counts above about 1,500 cells/µL are called hypereosinophilia. If they persist, your doctor will check for parasites, drug reactions and conditions that can affect the lungs, heart, skin or nerves.
- A very high count with cough and wheeze in someone from a filaria-affected area may suggest tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, which needs specific treatment from your doctor.
- A low AEC is rarely a concern by itself and is often seen with steroid treatment, during acute infections and in Cushing syndrome.
- A normal AEC does not rule out allergy, as many allergic people have normal counts between flare-ups.
AEC Test – FAQs
What is the price of the AEC Test?
The Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) Test costs ₹200 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
What is the difference between AEC and the eosinophil percentage in a CBC?
The CBC percentage tells you what share of white cells are eosinophils, while the AEC gives the actual number. A percentage can look high simply because other white cells are low. That is why doctors rely on the absolute count, especially when deciding on follow-up tests.
What does a high AEC mean?
It means your body has more eosinophils than usual, most commonly from allergy, asthma or a worm infection. Medicines, some skin and lung conditions and, less often, blood disorders can also be the cause. A high value does not give a diagnosis, so your doctor will combine it with your symptoms and history.
Is the AEC test an allergy test?
No. AEC shows whether eosinophils are raised, not what you are allergic to, and it can stay normal even in people with real allergies. Specific allergy testing, such as total IgE or tests for individual allergens, is what your doctor may use to look for triggers.
Can steroids make my AEC look normal?
Yes. Steroid tablets and injections can lower the count quickly, sometimes within hours, so a normal value during treatment may not reflect your usual level. Tell the doctor about any steroid you are taking. Do not stop or change it for the sake of the test without medical advice.
Does the time of day affect the AEC result?
It can. Eosinophils follow a daily rhythm, usually lower in the morning and higher at night, so the time of the sample can shift the number a little. If you are comparing results over several weeks, giving samples at a similar time makes the trend easier to read.
How is a high eosinophil count treated?
Treatment depends on the cause rather than the number. Allergy and asthma care, deworming, or changing a medicine may be used, and only a doctor can decide which applies. Please do not take deworming tablets or steroids on your own based on this result.
Where can I get the AEC Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.