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Why does the doctor first send us to take a complete blood count? And how to decipher what is written in the analysis results? WDay.ru found out all the secrets of laboratory research.
How to decipher a blood test
To establish or confirm a diagnosis, detect viruses or make sure they are absent, a complete blood count will help. This is because the blood quickly reacts to any changes in health.
General blood analysis
A light 2-millimeter puncture is made on the fingertip with a disposable needle-scarifier, blood immediately appears, which the nurse collects into a test tube and sends it to the laboratory, where a special apparatus will find out what the blood contains.
The results obtained will help the doctor make a preliminary diagnosis and identify the disease at an early stage. But what does blood contain?
Red, hot, viscous blood is very heterogeneous in composition. It is based on the smallest elements: erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets.
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Erythrocytes are red blood cells that carry oxygen through organs and tissues.
Erythrocytes
Cells that carry hemoglobin. It is the erythrocytes that give the blood a red tint.
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a protein that is responsible for transporting oxygen molecules from the lungs to organs and tissues, and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Men contain about 120–160 grams (per liter) of hemoglobin in their blood, women a little less, about 120–140 grams. If the hemoglobin becomes less, the tissues receive less oxygen and as a result, anemia, that is, anemia, may develop.
Symptoms of anemia:
pallor of the skin.
fast fatiguability.
weakness.
cardiopalmus.
If, in the presence of these symptoms, the doctor confirms the diagnosis, he will prescribe iron-containing preparations and vitamin B12, and will also advise eating foods that increase the level of hemoglobin: liver, prunes, carrots, beets, beans, buckwheat, apples and pomegranates.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
The average erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is approximately 10 mm / h for men and 15 mm / h for women. An increase in ESR signals an inflammatory or other pathological process. ESR increased for no apparent reason should not be ignored!
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Leukocytes are white blood cells. Real “killer cells”. They block the “enemies” that have entered the body, surround and eat them.
leukocytes
White blood cells have a protective function. The norm of leukocytes is 4-9 billion per liter. If their number increases, this is a signal that an infection or an inflammatory process has entered the body. However, a deviation from the norm can also occur with the abuse of protein foods, emotional and physical stress. Even a sharp rise after sleep gives a temporary increase in the number of leukocytes, however, it passes rather quickly.
Platelets
These cells are responsible for stopping bleeding – hemostasis. Due to their ability to stick together in huge quantities, they provide blood clotting. And they, like scavengers, collect the remnants of inflammatory wars on the membrane – circulating immune complexes.
Normally, there should be 180 – 320 billion platelets per liter of blood. Indicators may vary depending on the monthly cycle, nutrition, lifestyle and individual characteristics. An increase in the level of platelets indicates a tendency to thrombosis and the risk of developing … A platelet count below normal may indicate immune diseases or severe inflammation.
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The heart, together with the blood and lymph vessels, form the cardiovascular system.
Lymphocytes
Cells of specific immunity. If, with severe inflammation, the indicator falls below 15%, it is important to estimate the absolute number of lymphocytes per 1 microliter. It should not be lower than 1200-1500 cells.
Neutrophils
Their number accounts for approximately 70% of the total number of leukocytes. These cells are found in huge numbers in the submucosa and on the mucous membranes. Their main task is to swallow foreign microorganisms. An increase in the number of neutrophils indicates a purulent inflammatory process. But it should be especially alarming if there is a purulent process, and there is no increase in neutrophils in the blood test.
Color index
Its norm is determined by the ratio of the level of hemoglobin to the number of erythrocytes. The color index changes with various anemias: it increases with folate deficiency, aplastic and autoimmune anemias and decreases with iron deficiency.
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A general blood test can tell a lot about the health of the body: to establish or confirm a diagnosis, detect viruses or make sure they are absent.
Hematocrit
Men contain about 40–45% of the hematocrit in the blood, women a little less, about 36–42%. Hematocrit shows how many percent of cells in the blood – erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets in relation to its liquid part – plasma.
If the hematocrit falls, the person has either suffered bleeding, or the formation of new blood cells is sharply suppressed. This happens with severe infections and autoimmune diseases.
An increase in hematocrit indicates a thickening of the blood, for example, with dehydration.
Eosinophils
These substances make up only 1–5% of the total number of leukocytes. Like neutrophils, eosinophils are nonspecific immunity. Their increase is typical for allergies and parasitic diseases, especially with helminthic invasions.
By the way
Both the day before and in the morning before the procedure, it is not at all necessary to starve. For a general blood test, this does not matter. Of course, you should not eat fatty heavy foods at night, otherwise, indeed, the number of leukocytes will increase. But you can afford a light dinner and breakfast.
You should not take the test after drinking alcohol, sunbathing and physiotherapy, as well as after an X-ray examination. Results may not be accurate.
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