General blood test: decoding and norms

A complete blood count (CBC) is the first study that begins the diagnosis of diseases or a preventive examination by a doctor as part of the annual medical examination. Without this simple but important test, it is impossible to objectively assess a person’s health status. KLA is otherwise called a general clinical or simply clinical blood test, but there is also a detailed version, which involves a detailed study of the leukocyte formula and is used when the patient has signs of illness.

Within the framework of the KLA, all three blood cells are evaluated: erythrocytes responsible for the respiration of organs and tissues, leukocytes – immunity fighters, and platelets – defenders from bleeding. However, the laboratory determines not only the number of named cells. Each type of blood cells includes several additional indicators by which the doctor can judge the most diverse aspects of the life of a particular organism. Deciphering the results of a general blood test is the task of a competent doctor, therapist or pediatrician, because not only the numbers in the form are important, but also the combination of deviations from the norm with each other, as well as with the data obtained during the examination, questioning and other diagnostic measures.

Blood for a general analysis in adult patients is taken either from a finger using a scarifier, or from a vein, with a syringe. In infants, OAC sometimes has to be taken from the earlobe or heel, because the fingers are too small and it is difficult to get into the vein. It is believed that venous blood is preferable for research – it contains more red blood cells and hemoglobin than capillary blood. In addition, it is possible to take a lot of material from a vein at once, so that if additional analyzes are necessary, a person is not sent to the laboratory again.

In the vastness of the network, you can find a lot of similar tables of varying degrees of relevance, and the data in them may differ slightly. You should not worry about this, since clearly expressed deviations from standard numbers have a diagnostic value. In addition, the results of a general blood test can only be judged in conjunction with the results of other examinations – it is impossible to establish the correct diagnosis from the KLA alone, and there is no need to try to do so.

How to prepare for a general blood test?

The following factors may affect the reliability of the results:

• food intake;

• Exercise stress;

• Prolonged exposure to the sun;

• Nervous tension;

• Drinking alcohol and smoking;

• Taking certain medications;

• Menstruation in women.

Therefore, if you do not want to get up early again, wait in line and donate blood, prepare for the analysis correctly, and this is very simple. On the eve, do not sunbathe on the beach, do not overeat and do not drink strong drinks. Talk to your doctor about any medications you take on a regular basis. If you are a woman, schedule a visit to the laboratory for the period of the cycle when there is no menstruation. Do not eat or smoke anything in the morning. Half an hour before entering the office, if possible, sit down in the corridor, relax, do not fuss, do not run up the stairs.

Toddlers can be very nervous before donating blood simply because of the hospital atmosphere, and older children who already understand where they have come are often afraid of the procedure itself, syringes and scarifiers. Reassure the child, this is very important, because stress significantly affects the results of a general blood test.

The norms of a general blood test for women and men (table)

[Video] General practitioner, functional diagnostics Petrik Mikhail Vadimovich – learning to understand a general blood test: