What is a hematocrit test. How is a hematocrit test performed. What do low hematocrit levels indicate. When should you be concerned about low hematocrit results. How are low hematocrit levels treated. What lifestyle changes can help improve hematocrit levels. Are there any risks associated with hematocrit testing.

What is a Hematocrit Test and Why is it Important?

A hematocrit test, also known as a packed-cell volume (PCV) test, is a simple blood test that measures the proportion of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells play a crucial role in carrying oxygen throughout your body, so having too few or too many can be indicative of certain health conditions.

The test is typically part of a complete blood count (CBC) and provides valuable information about your overall health. Doctors use hematocrit results to:

• Diagnose conditions like anemia or polycythemia
• Monitor responses to treatments
• Assess blood loss or dehydration
• Evaluate overall health and nutrition status

How is a Hematocrit Test Performed?

The hematocrit test is a straightforward procedure that requires minimal preparation. Here’s what you can expect:

1. A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample, usually from a vein in your arm.
2. The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory to determine the percentage of red blood cells.
3. Results are typically available within a few hours to a day, depending on the facility.

Is fasting required before a hematocrit test? No, fasting is not necessary for this particular blood test. You can eat and drink normally before the procedure.

Understanding Hematocrit Results: What’s Normal and What’s Not?

Hematocrit results are reported as a percentage of blood volume that consists of red blood cells. Normal ranges can vary based on factors such as age, sex, and even the specific laboratory performing the test. However, general guidelines for normal hematocrit levels are:

• For adult men: 38.3% to 48.6%
• For adult women: 35.5% to 44.9%
• For children: Varies by age and sex

Can hematocrit levels fluctuate naturally? Yes, hematocrit levels can fluctuate due to various factors, including hydration status, altitude, and recent physical activity. It’s important to interpret results in the context of an individual’s overall health and other test results.

Low Hematocrit Levels: Causes and Implications

A hematocrit level below the normal range is often referred to as low HCT in lab results. This can be indicative of several conditions:

• Anemia: An insufficient supply of healthy red blood cells
• Nutritional deficiencies: Particularly iron, vitamin B12, or folate
• Blood loss: Recent or chronic
• Bone marrow disorders: Conditions affecting red blood cell production
• Chronic diseases: Such as kidney disease or certain cancers
• Pregnancy: Due to increased blood volume

How does anemia affect daily life? Anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and productivity.

When to Be Concerned About Low Hematocrit Results

While slightly low hematocrit levels may not always be cause for immediate concern, there are situations where prompt medical attention is necessary:

• Severe anemia symptoms: Extreme fatigue, dizziness, or chest pain
• Rapid drop in hematocrit levels
• Unexplained low hematocrit in the absence of known causes
• Persistent low levels despite treatment

What questions should you ask your doctor about low hematocrit results? Consider discussing the potential causes, necessary follow-up tests, treatment options, and lifestyle changes that might help improve your levels.

Treatment Options for Low Hematocrit Levels

The treatment for low hematocrit depends on the underlying cause. Some common approaches include:

• Iron supplementation: For iron-deficiency anemia
• Vitamin B12 or folate supplements: For deficiency-related anemia
• Medications: To stimulate red blood cell production
• Blood transfusions: In severe cases or acute blood loss
• Treating underlying conditions: Such as kidney disease or cancer

How long does it take to see improvements in hematocrit levels after starting treatment? The timeline can vary depending on the cause and treatment approach. Some people may see improvements within a few weeks, while others might take several months to reach normal levels.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Hematocrit Levels

In addition to medical treatments, certain lifestyle modifications can help support healthy hematocrit levels:

• Eat a balanced diet rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate
• Stay hydrated
• Exercise regularly (under doctor’s guidance)
• Manage stress
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

Which foods are particularly beneficial for improving hematocrit levels? Iron-rich foods like lean meats, leafy greens, and legumes, as well as foods high in vitamin C to enhance iron absorption, can be helpful. Additionally, foods rich in vitamin B12 and folate, such as eggs, dairy products, and fortified cereals, can support red blood cell production.

High Hematocrit Levels: Causes and Concerns

While this article focuses primarily on low hematocrit levels, it’s worth noting that elevated hematocrit can also be a health concern. High hematocrit levels may indicate:

• Dehydration
• Polycythemia vera: A disorder causing overproduction of red blood cells
• Lung or heart diseases
• Living at high altitudes

What are the potential complications of persistently high hematocrit levels? Elevated hematocrit can increase the risk of blood clots, which may lead to serious conditions such as stroke or heart attack. It’s important to address high hematocrit levels under medical supervision.

Factors Affecting Hematocrit Test Accuracy

Several factors can influence the accuracy of hematocrit test results:

• Recent blood loss or transfusion
• Severe dehydration
• Pregnancy
• Living at high altitudes
• Certain medications

How can you ensure the most accurate hematocrit test results? Inform your healthcare provider about any recent changes in your health, medications, or lifestyle that might affect the test. In some cases, your doctor may recommend retesting or additional blood tests to confirm the results.

Risks and Side Effects of Hematocrit Testing

The hematocrit test is generally very safe, with minimal risks. However, some people may experience:

• Slight pain or bruising at the needle insertion site
• Dizziness or fainting (rare)
• Excessive bleeding (very rare, typically in people with bleeding disorders)

Are there any special precautions for people with bleeding disorders? If you have a known bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications, inform your healthcare provider before the test. They may take extra precautions or recommend alternative testing methods.

The Role of Hematocrit in Diagnosing Other Conditions

While hematocrit levels primarily reflect red blood cell concentration, they can also provide valuable information about other health conditions:

• Kidney disease: May cause low hematocrit due to decreased erythropoietin production
• Liver disease: Can affect red blood cell production and lifespan
• Thyroid disorders: May influence red blood cell production
• Certain cancers: Can impact bone marrow function

How does hematocrit testing complement other diagnostic tools? Hematocrit results are often interpreted alongside other blood tests, physical examinations, and patient history to provide a comprehensive picture of an individual’s health status.

Hematocrit Levels in Special Populations

Certain groups may have different considerations when it comes to hematocrit levels:

Pregnancy and Hematocrit

Pregnant women typically experience a natural decrease in hematocrit due to increased blood volume. However, severe anemia during pregnancy can pose risks to both mother and baby. Regular monitoring is essential.

Athletes and Hematocrit

Endurance athletes may have slightly higher hematocrit levels due to plasma volume changes. However, significantly elevated levels could indicate dehydration or, in rare cases, blood doping.

Elderly and Hematocrit

Older adults may have lower hematocrit levels due to various factors, including chronic diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and medication effects. Careful interpretation of results is crucial in this population.

How do age-related changes in hematocrit affect health management in the elderly? Healthcare providers must consider age-related changes when interpreting hematocrit results in older adults. This may influence decisions about further testing, treatment, and overall health management strategies.

Future Developments in Hematocrit Testing and Monitoring

Advancements in medical technology are shaping the future of hematocrit testing:

• Point-of-care testing: Allowing for rapid results in various healthcare settings
• Wearable devices: Potential for continuous monitoring of hematocrit levels
• AI-assisted interpretation: Improving accuracy and providing context-specific insights
• Integration with electronic health records: Enhancing long-term tracking and analysis

How might these advancements impact patient care? These developments could lead to more timely interventions, personalized treatment plans, and improved overall health outcomes by providing real-time data and more comprehensive health insights.

Conclusion: The Importance of Regular Hematocrit Monitoring

Understanding your hematocrit levels is an important aspect of maintaining overall health. Regular monitoring can help detect potential health issues early, guide treatment decisions, and assess the effectiveness of interventions. While low hematocrit results may be concerning, they often provide valuable insights that can lead to improved health outcomes when properly addressed.

Remember, hematocrit is just one piece of the health puzzle. Always consult with your healthcare provider to interpret your results in the context of your overall health status and any symptoms you may be experiencing. By staying informed and proactive about your health, you can work together with your medical team to achieve optimal well-being.

Hematocrit test – Mayo Clinic

Overview

A hematocrit (he-MAT-uh-krit) test measures the proportion of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Having too few or too many red blood cells can be a sign of certain diseases.

The hematocrit test, also known as a packed-cell volume (PCV) test, is a simple blood test.

Products & Services

Show more products from Mayo Clinic

Why it’s done

A hematocrit test is part of a complete blood count (CBC). Measuring the proportion of red blood cells in your blood can help your doctor make a diagnosis or monitor your response to a treatment.

A lower than normal hematocrit can indicate:

• An insufficient supply of healthy red blood cells (anemia)
• A large number of white blood cells due to long-term illness, infection or a white blood cell disorder such as leukemia or lymphoma
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
• Recent or long-term blood loss

A higher than normal hematocrit can indicate:

• Dehydration
• A disorder, such as polycythemia vera, that causes your body to produce too many red blood cells
• Lung or heart disease

How you prepare

The hematocrit is a simple blood test. You won’t need to fast before the test or make other preparations.

What you can expect

The blood sample is generally drawn with a needle from a vein in your arm. You may feel some tenderness at the site, but you’ll be able to resume normal activities afterward.

Results

Results from your hematocrit test are reported as the percentage of blood cells that are red blood cells. Normal ranges vary substantially with race, age and sex. The definition of normal red-blood cell percentage also varies from one medical practice to another.

Generally, a normal range is considered to be:

• For men, 38.3 to 48.6 percent
• For women, 35.5 to 44.9 percent

For children ages 17 and younger, the normal range varies by age and sex.

Your hematocrit test provides just one piece of information about your health. Talk to your doctor about what your hematocrit test result means in light of the symptoms you’re experiencing and the results of other diagnostic tests.

Accuracy of test results

A number of factors can affect the outcome of a hematocrit test and yield inaccurate or misleading results, including:

• Living at a high altitude
• Pregnancy
• Significant recent blood loss
• Recent blood transfusion
• Severe dehydration

Your doctor will take into account possible complicating factors when interpreting the results of your hematocrit test. Your doctor may want to repeat the hematocrit test and do other blood tests if results provide conflicting or unexpected information.

Feb. 12, 2019

Show references

1. Sandoval C. Approach to the child with anemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 24, 2016.
2. Schrier SL. Approach to the adult patient with anemia. http://www.uptodate. com/home. Accessed March 24, 2016.
3. Types of blood tests. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt/types. Accessed March 24, 2016.
4. Tefferi A. Diagnostic approach to the patient with polycythemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 24, 2016.
5. Hoffman R, et al. The polycythemias. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 24, 2016.
6. CBC with differential, blood. Mayo Medical Laboratories. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. Accessed March 24, 2016.

Related

Products & Services

Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic

Hematocrit (Red Blood Cells) Test: Test Details & Results

Overview

What is a hematocrit test?

A hematocrit is a simple blood test done to measure the red blood cells in a person’s blood. Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are important because they carry oxygen through your body. A low or high red blood cell count can indicate a medical condition or disease.

The hematocrit test determines the number of red blood cells.

Why is a hematocrit test needed?

A hematocrit test is needed to check for the proportion of red blood cells. A low red blood cell count, or low hematocrit, indicates anemia. Suspected anemia is the most common reason for hematocrit testing.

A hematocrit is sometimes called a HCT. The hematocrit is calculated from the number of red blood cells in a sample of blood.

What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body. It can have many causes, including iron and vitamin deficiency.

Symptoms of anemia include:

• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Trouble concentrating
• Cold hands and feet
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Test Details

How do I prepare for a hematocrit test?

No preparations are needed for a hematocrit test. Your physician will perform the test in his or her office or send you to a lab for testing.

A hematocrit is usually done as part of a complete blood count (CBC).

What can I expect during a hematocrit test?

The lab technician will begin the test by cleaning the area for the blood draw. This will usually be on the inside of your arm.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, you might feel a prick or moderate pain. You may bruise afterwards. The technician will cover the draw site with gauze and a small bandage.

Are there risks to a hematocrit test?

A hematocrit is a very safe, common test. All tests carry a slight risk, however. These include:

• Feeling faint
• Excessive bleeding
• A hematoma
• Infection

Results and Follow-Up

What are normal hematocrit test results?

The range for normal tests varies due to age and gender, but the general guidelines are:

• Male: 41% to 50%
• Female: 36% to 44%

For babies, normal results are:

• Newborn: 45% to 61%
• Infant: 32% to 42%

Your doctor will determine what is normal for you or your child.

What if I get a hematocrit result outside of the normal range?

Hematocrit results outside of the normal range, whether low or high, can indicate a serious medical condition. Your healthcare provider can interpret your individual results and come up with the best treatment plan for your underlying condition.

Low hematocrit results can indicate:

• Blood loss
• Leukemia or other bone marrow problems
• Iron and vitamin deficiency, including folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6
• Too much water in the body
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid abnormality
• Immune destruction of red blood cells

High hematocrit may be due to:

• Heart disease
• Dehydration
• Scarring or thickening of the lungs
• Bone marrow disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Smoking
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Testosterone use

Hematocrit: High or Low? All You Need to Know

Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cell volume compared to your total blood volume. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body to help power biological functions. More oxygen may mean improved cognition and increased endurance.

What Is Hematocrit?

Hematocrit (also called HCT, packed cell volume, or PCV) is measured by routine lab tests. It is the percentage of red blood cells in your blood or, in other words, the volume of red blood cells divided by the total blood volume [1, 2, 3].

Red blood cells come from the bone marrow, where they are made from stem cells. The body makes about 2 million red blood cells every second. Every red blood cell lives about 120 days and then eventually ages, dies, and is broken down by the spleen [4].

Red blood cells carry oxygen, so an increase in hematocrit also increases the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. However, higher hematocrit also increases the thickness (viscosity) of blood, reducing its ability to flow through small blood vessels and reach the tissues in the body. Therefore, higher hematocrit isn’t always better for health [5].

Hematocrit affects a variety of processes, from throwing off the accuracy of blood sugar measurements to controlling the behavior of platelets and blood clotting proteins [6, 7, 8].

Based on a hematocrit measurement, it is possible to calculate other values that are used to predict, estimate, or evaluate [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16]:

• Disease risk
• Disease severity
• Surgery-related risks
• Blood viscosity (which is related to blood flow)
• Blood loss
• Rate of treatment (e.g., a dose) needed

Test results vary based on a number of factors, ranging from what kind of device is used to take the measurement to whether you have been drinking enough fluids [17, 2].

Dehydration is a common cause of high hematocrit results [2].

Sitting up (as opposed to lying down) during a blood draw can also increase your results [18].

Normal Values

Lab results are commonly shown as a set of values known as a “reference range”, which is sometimes referred to as a “normal range”. A reference range includes the upper and lower limits of a lab test based on a group of otherwise healthy people.

Your healthcare provider will compare your hematocrit levels with reference values to see if your results fall outside the range of expected values. By doing so, you and your healthcare provider can gain clues to help identify possible conditions or diseases.

Remember that some lab-to-lab variability occurs due to differences in equipment, techniques, and chemicals used. Don’t panic if your result is slightly out of range in the app – as long as it’s in the normal range based on the laboratory that did the testing, your value is normal.

However, it’s important to remember that a normal test doesn’t mean a particular medical condition is absent. Your doctor will interpret your hematocrit results in conjunction with your medical history and other test results.

But remember that a single test isn’t enough to make a diagnosis. Your doctor will interpret this test, taking into account your medical history and other tests. A result that is slightly low/high may not be of medical significance, as this test often varies from day to day and from person to person.

Normal hematocrit ranges are 40 to 54% for men, 36 to 48% for women, and 30 to 43% for children [2].

However, typical hematocrit can vary between populations depending on both genetic and environmental factors as well as the different measurement techniques used [19].

Hematocrit can vary from day to day or on a more long-term basis depending on altitude, season, athletic training, diet, and pregnancy, among other factors [20, 21, 22, 23, 24].

Hematocrit is a useful diagnostic tool because it can change in generally predictable ways with a health problem [25].

Polycythemia

In polycythemia, your blood contains a higher-than-normal proportion of red blood cells. Polycythemia can be “primary,” meaning that there is a problem with the way that your body is making red blood cells, or “secondary,” meaning that the problem is an adjustment to some other influence. For example, your body may be making more red blood cells because it’s not getting enough oxygen [26].

Symptoms of polycythemia can include:

• Blurred vision
• Bruising
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Stomach pain
• Weakness

High hematocrit can increase eye pressure, PO2 (the amount of oxygen in your blood), muscle oxygenation, and hand grip strength [27, 28, 29, 30].

High hematocrit can reduce the rate of clearance of a drug from your body and slow down blood flow [31, 32].

The following conditions are commonly associated with high hematocrit levels, but this single symptom is not enough for a diagnosis. Work with your doctor to discover what underlying condition might be causing your unusually high value in this test and to develop an appropriate plan to improve your health:

• Capillary leak syndrome (leaky blood vessels) [33]
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (misregulated steroid hormones) [34]
• Cystic fibrosis [35]
• Dengue fever [36]
• Ebola [37]
• Eclampsia (pregnancy complications) [38]
• Erythrocytosis (high red blood cells) [39]
• Heart disease
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) [40]
• Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) [41]
• Hypoxia (low oxygen) [42, 43]
• Insulin resistance [44]
• Metabolic syndrome [45]
• Mountain sickness (at high altitudes) [46]
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [47]
• Necrotizing pancreatitis (e. g., from alcohol abuse) [48, 49]
• Sleep apnea (breathing pauses during sleep) [50]
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (e.g., from fertility treatments) [51]
• Kidney disease [52]
• Polycythemia vera (a blood cancer) [53]
• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (e.g., from high blood pressure) [54, 55]
• Postpartum depression [56]
• Prediabetes [57]
• Retinopathy (eye blood vessel damage) [58]
• Shock [59]
• Thrombocythemia (high platelets)
• Thrombosis (blood clot) [60]

When High Levels Are Good

High hematocrit has a number of potential health benefits. It can:

• Increase cognitive function [61]
• Improve athletic performance [62]
• Reduce aging [63]
• Reduce the risk of ulcers [64]
• Reduce the risk of cavities [65]
• Reduce the risk of death from heart failure [66]

When High Levels Are Bad

The following diseases have been associated with high hematocrit levels. Remember that the studies haven’t established this parameter as their cause. Having a high hematocrit value doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop these conditions:

• Stroke [67]
• Heart disease [68]
• Poor outcomes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [69]
• Poor outcomes in sepsis (inflammatory response to infection) [70]
• Poor outcomes in gangrene [71]

Anemia

Low hematocrit, or anemia, can be caused by blood loss, the body making fewer red blood cells, or increased destruction of red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia can include difficulty breathing, dizziness, headache, cold skin, pale skin, and chest pain [72].

In some cases, anemia can be signaled by pica, a craving for unusual foods or nonfood substances (e.g., ice, crunchy foods, salty foods, clay, dirt) that goes away with iron supplementation [73].

The following conditions are commonly associated with low hematocrit levels, but this single symptom is not enough for a diagnosis. Work with your doctor to discover what underlying condition might be causing your unusually low value in this test and to develop an appropriate plan to improve your health:

• Alzheimer’s disease [74]
• Anemia [75]
• Arthritis
• Autism spectrum disorder [76]
• Bipolar disorder [77]
• Bone marrow disorders
• Cerebral palsy [78]
• Cirrhosis (liver disease) [79]
• Depression [80]
• Dyspepsia (stomach problems) [81]
• Dyspnea (breathing problems) [82]
• Fibromyalgia [83]
• Growth hormone deficiency [84]
• Hematoma (abnormal collection of blood) [85]
• Hemophilia (a bleeding disorder) [86]
• HIV [87]
• Hypotension (low blood pressure) [88]
• Hypothermia [89]
• Infection
• Inflammatory diseases
• Kidney disease or failure [90]
• Leukemia
• Massive blood loss (e.g., from trauma, cancer, internal bleeding)
• Nutritional deficiency (e.g., low iron, folic acid, vitamin B12) [79]
• Parasitemia (parasites in the blood, e. g., in malaria) [91]
• Periodontitis (gum disease) [92]
• Sepsis (inflammatory response to infection) [93]
• Shock
• Sickle cell disease [94]
• Systemic sclerosis (an autoimmune disease) [95]
• Thalassemia
• Type 1 diabetes [96]

When Low Levels Are Good

Low hematocrit has some potential health benefits. It can [62, 97]:

• Increase VO2 max (the maximum amount of oxygen you can use during intense exercise)

• Reduce the risk of seizures

When Low Levels Are Bad

There are health risks associated with low hematocrit. Low hematocrit can increase the length of hospital stay after surgery. It also can increase the risks of [98]:

• Complications from surgery [99]
• Surgical site infection [100]
• Hospital readmission after surgery [101]
• Need for blood transfusion [102]
• Tuberculosis [103]
• Ischemia (restricted blood flow to part of the body) [104]
• Poor outcome from injury [105, 106]
• Poor outcome from pneumonia [107]

Remember that the studies haven’t established this parameter as the cause of these complications. Having a high hematocrit value doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop these conditions.

How to Increase Hematocrit

You may be increasing your hematocrit, or naturally have higher hematocrit, without realizing it. This may be due to:

• Adjusting to a high altitude [108]
• Alcohol consumption [109]
• Being male [110]
• Being overweight [111]
• Mental stress [112]
• Military training [113]
• Smoking cigarettes [114]
• Spaceflight [115]
• Workplace pollution [116, 117]
• Your sleeping position (head tilted downward) [118]

How to Increase Levels Naturally

If your hematocrit value is too low, the most important thing is to work with your doctor to find out what’s causing this low value and to treat any underlying conditions. The additional lifestyle changes listed below are other strategies you may want to discuss with your doctor. None of them should ever be implemented in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes!

You can increase your hematocrit by consuming foods or supplements that increase iron. For example, you can increase your hematocrit by eating or drinking [119]:

• Almonds
• Artichokes
• Beans
• Chickpeas
• Dried fruit
• Fermented foods
• Fish and shellfish
• Flaxseed oil
• Green, leafy vegetables
• Iron-fortified foods
• Lentils
• Millet (shown by an animal study)
• Molasses
• Pomegranate juice
• Prune juice
• Pumpkin seeds
• Soybeans or tofu

Because vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, you can increase hematocrit by consuming fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C, such as [119]:

• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cantaloupe
• Kiwi
• Peppers
• Potatoes
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes

In addition, copper helps prevent anemia by helping with iron storage and absorption. You can increase hematocrit by consuming foods that are rich in copper, such as:

• Cashews
• Sesame seeds
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Sunflower seeds
• Tempeh
• Walnuts

Medical Treatments that Increase Levels

Hematocrit can be increased medically with:

These treatments often have other purposes than increasing hematocrit levels and must always be conducted under medical supervision.

Drugs That Increase Levels

Some drugs may increase your hematocrit value if you are already taking them for some other health condition, but never start taking them or increase your dose for this purpose. Always follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.

Drugs used for treating hypogonadism (inadequate testosterone), organ transplant recipients, anemia, surgical blood loss (reducing blood loss), uterine fibroids, Crohn’s disease, and arthritis can increase hematocrit [125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132].

Hematocrit can also be increased as a result of taking:

How to Reduce Hematocrit

You may be reducing your hematocrit without realizing it due to:

• Being a farmer [140]
• Being a trained athlete [141]
• Being pregnant [142]
• Contaminated drinking water [143]
• Exposure to allergens [144]
• Workplace pollution [145]

How to Reduce Hematocrit Naturally

If your hematocrit value is too high, the most important thing is to work with your doctor to find out what’s causing this high value and to treat any underlying conditions. The additional lifestyle changes listed below are other strategies you may want to discuss with your doctor. None of them should ever be implemented in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes!

You can reduce your hematocrit through the following dietary modifications:

• Avoiding iron supplements [146]
• Eating more bran (it interferes with iron absorption) [147]
• Staying hydrated [148]
• Avoiding alcohol [109]
• Eating more grapefruit [149]
• Getting more antioxidants [150]

Additionally, you can try the following lifestyle interventions:

• Doing moderate exercise [151, 152, 153]
• Moving to a lower altitude [108]
• Giving up smoking [114]

Medical Treatments that Reduce Levels

Hematocrit can be reduced medically by (or as a side-effect of):

• Blood donation [154]
• Anesthesia [123]
• Cardiopulmonary bypass (artificial circulation during surgery) [155, 156]
• Immunoglobulin treatment [157]
• Positive airway pressure therapy for sleep apnea [158]
• Radiation therapy [159]

These treatments often have other purposes than lowering hematocrit levels and must always be conducted under medical supervision.

Drugs That Reduce Levels

Some drugs may reduce your hematocrit value if you are already taking them for some other health condition, but never start taking them or increase your dose for this purpose. Always follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.

Drugs for mountain (altitude) sickness, polycythemia vera (a blood cancer), type 2 diabetes, male contraception, and malaria can reduce hematocrit [160, 161, 162, 163, 164].

Hematocrit can also be reduced as a result of taking:

• ACE inhibitors (for, e.g., high blood pressure) [165]
• Aspirin [166]
• Desmopressin [167]
• Finasteride [168]
• Glycerol [169]
• Ibuprofen [170]
• Metformin [171]
• Misoprostol [172]
• Rivaroxaban [173]
• Tocolytic agents [174]

Hematocrit Genetics

Hematocrit levels are influenced by your genes.

If you’ve gotten your genes sequenced, SelfDecode can help you determine if your levels are high or low as a result of your genes, and then pinpoint what you can do about it.

If you’re sick and tired of guessing about your health, SelfDecode can help you find specific answers that conventional doctors/diagnostics may never uncover.

Gene	SNPs	Effect
ABO	rs2073823	Hematocrit higher for AA genotype [175]
AKT3	rs4590656	Hematocrit higher for CT genotype [176]
AQP1	rs1049305	Hematocrit higher for GG genotype [175]
AQP1	rs10244884	Hematocrit higher for TT genotype [175]
EPAS1	rs6756667	Hematocrit higher for GG genotype, compared to AG genotype, during the development of mountain sickness [177]
EPO	rs551238	Hematocrit higher with G allele [178]
EPO	rs1617640	Hematocrit higher with G allele [178]
EPO	rs62483572	Lower hematocrit with D70N mutation [179]
EPOR	rs121918116	Hematocrit higher with A allele [180]
FTO (“Fat Gene”)	rs9939609	Hematocrit decreases more dramatically for the AA or AT genotype, compared to the TT genotype, with diet and exercise [181]
G6PD	rs1050828	Lower hematocrit with T allele, compared to A allele, for African Americans [182]
GNB3	rs5443	Hematocrit higher with T allele [183]
JAK2	rs12343867 rs12340895 rs3780374 rs4495487 rs10974944	Hematocrit higher with JAK2V617F mutation [184]
ND2	rs28357984 (Mt5178)	Higher hematocrit with A allele, compared to C allele [185]

Understanding Your Complete Blood Count (CBC) Tests

A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that your doctor may recommend to:

• Help diagnose some blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma

• Find out if cancer has spread to the bone marrow

• See how a person’s body is handling cancer treatment

• Diagnose other, noncancerous conditions

If you are receiving chemotherapy, your doctor will likely watch your blood cell counts often using a CBC.

What does a complete blood count measure?

A CBC measures the amount of 3 types of cells in your blood:

• White blood cell count. A white blood cell count, also called a leukocyte count, measures the total number of white blood cells in a sample of blood. These cells protect the body from infection by attacking invading bacteria, viruses, and other foreign materials in the body. Some white blood cells can also attack cancer cells.

• White blood cell differential. A white blood cell differential measures the number of each type of white blood cell. There are 5 major types of white blood cells, and each type plays a different role in protecting the body. Your doctor can learn valuable information about your health by measuring the levels of these cells:

• Neutrophils

• Lymphocytes

• Monocytes

• Eosinophils

• Basophils

• Red blood cell count. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. A red blood cell count, also called an erythrocyte count, measures the number of red blood cells in a sample of blood. There are several ways to measure red blood cells. Two of the most common are:

• Hematocrit (Hct), the percentage of your blood that is made up of red blood cells

• Hemoglobin (Hgb), the amount of the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen

• Platelet count. A platelet count measures the number of platelets in a sample of blood. Platelets help to stop bleeding by forming blood clots.

The amounts of each of these types of cells have a normal range. Your health care team will note this range on your CBC lab results. A range is used instead of a specific number because a normal amount is different for each person.

What do the results mean?

Your health care team must carefully read CBC test results. Keep in mind that many factors, including noncancerous conditions, can lead to results that fall out of the normal range. Ask your doctor to help you understand what your results mean.

• Low white blood cell count. Some cancer treatments, mainly chemotherapy, may lower your body’s white blood cells. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow can also lower the count. These types of cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

• Amounts of different white blood cells. Higher-than-normal numbers of lymphocytes or monocytes can indicate the possibility of certain types of cancers.

  Some cancers and their treatments may cause neutropenia. Neutropenia is when a person has low numbers of neutrophils. This increases the chance of getting a bacterial infection. At times, your doctor may lower your chemotherapy dose to lower your chance of developing neutropenia. Your doctor may also recommend medication, such as white blood cell growth factors, to increase your body’s production of neutrophils, especially if you develop a fever.

• Low red blood cell count. Some cancer treatments, mainly chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may lower your red blood cells count. This condition is known as anemia. Blood loss, either from surgery or specific cancers, and cancers that directly involve the bone marrow can also cause or worsen anemia. People whose red blood cell count falls too low may need a blood transfusion or medication to help bring it up.

• Low platelet count. Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, may cause a decrease in platelets. Cancers that directly involve the bone marrow can also lower the platelet count. An unusually low number of platelets is called thrombocytopenia. People with low platelet levels have a greater risk of serious bleeding or bruising. If your platelet count falls to very low levels, your doctor may recommend platelet transfusions.

Questions to ask your health care team

Consider asking the following questions about your CBC test:

• Why am I having this test?

• How and where is this test done?

• Do I need to avoid eating and drinking before the test? If so, for how long?

• How will I get the results of my test?

• What are normal test results?

• What do my test results mean? Will someone explain them to me?

• If my results are within a normal range, what are the next steps?

• If my results are outside of a normal range, what are the next steps?

• How do these test results compare with my previous results?

• Will I need additional tests? If so, when?

Related Resources

When the Doctor Says Cancer

More Information

College of American Pathologists: Healing Begins in the Laboratory (video)

MedlinePlus: Laboratory Tests

Understanding Your Blood Test Results

Your blood carries a wealth of information. That’s why certain blood tests can detect conditions of concern before symptoms appear. For example, tumor markers in your blood can help doctors figure out which treatment might work best for your cancer, indicate your prognosis or reveal whether your cancer has returned or gone into remission.

Blood tests are also used to monitor your condition, by checking:

• How well your treatments are working
• Whether it is safe for you to continue your current treatment plan
• The effects of your medications
• Whether any of your blood cell types are below or above the normal range, and whether your blood is clotting normally
• The levels of electrolytes, minerals, hormones, oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood
• Whether you have an infection
• How well your organs and systems are working

What Are the Components of Blood?

Blood is made up of plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets (PLTs). Plasma is the liquid part of your blood that carries nutrients, hormones and proteins to your cells and carries away wastes.

Your doctor may order a Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) or Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP). A CMP is a group of 14 tests that measure electrolytes, proteins, liver enzymes and kidney waste products in the blood. A BMP omits the liver and protein tests.

Before considering the results of specific tests, remember that the “normal” ranges listed below are averages for healthy people, but ranges can be different for men or women or people of different age groups. Use the ranges on your lab results report when interpreting your results.

About Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, or RBCs, make up 40-45% of your blood. They live for 100-120 days and are replaced by new RBCs, which are made in the bone marrow. RBCs contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. A hematocrit shows what percentage of your blood is made up of RBCs. Your RBC count is usually interpreted with your hemoglobin and hematocrit results.

Test	Low Count (Anemia) May Be Due To:	High Count (Polycythemia) May Be Due To:
Red Blood Cell Count Range: 4.2-5.4 (women) 4.5-5.9 (men) Hemoglobin: 12.5-15.5 Hematocrit: 36-47	Bleeding/blood loss A condition that destroys RBCs or decreases hemoglobin production Nutritional deficiency (low iron, vitamin B12, folate, etc.) Blood and marrow cancers Damaged bone marrow (due to chemo, radiation) Chronic inflammatory or kidney disease	Dehydration Pulmonary/lung disease Tumor that makes erythropoietin Smoking Living at high altitude Genetic causes

Other tests examine the characteristics of RBCs. RBCs are usually the same general shape and size, but certain conditions (for example, anemia or thalassemia) can affect their appearance:

• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): Measures a single red blood cell (76-100)
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): Average amount of hemoglobin in a single RBC (27-34)
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): Average concentration of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell (31.5-37)
• Red Cell Distribution Width (RDS): The variation in the size of red blood cells (11.5-14.5)

Never miss another Cancer Talk blog!

Sign up to receive our monthly Cancer Talk e-newsletter.

Sign up!

About Platelets

Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are tiny fragments of cells that are vital for normal blood clotting. They come from very large cells (megakaryocytes) in the bone marrow and are released into the blood. When there is an injury to a blood vessel or tissue and bleeding begins, platelets help stop it by clumping together. They will also release chemicals that cause more platelet clumping.

Test	Low Count (Anemia) May Be Due To:	High Count (Polycythemia) May Be Due To:
Platelets 150,000 – 450,000 per microliter, which may be written as 150-450 x 10⁹/L	Conditions that slow production of platelets or speed up their use or destruction: Viral infections Blood cancers Sepsis (massive infection) Cirrhosis of the liver Autoimmune disease Damage to bone marrow (due to chemo, radiation or toxic chemicals) and excessive / heavy use of alcohol	Infectious disease (TB) Cancer (lung, GI, breast, ovarian or lymphoma) Inflammatory diseases Use of birth control pills Bone marrow disorder (rare)

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) provide more information about the cause of an abnormal platelet count. These tests are done by machine.

• Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): The average size of your platelets (range 8 -12). A high MPV with a low platelet count may indicate that the platelets you make are going into circulation very quickly. A low MPV is linked to inflammatory bowel disease, chemotherapy and certain types of anemia.
• Platelet Distribution Width (PDW): Tells how similar the platelets are in size (range 25-65). A high PDW means there is a great variation in size, which may be associated with vascular (blood vessel) disease or certain cancers.

Sometimes during the test, platelets stick together and the machine gives a false reading, interpreting it as fewer, larger platelets. In that case, the lab may do a blood smear and directly examine the platelets under a microscope.

Clotting Studies

Two tests measure how well your blood clots and how long clotting takes. These are called the Prothrombin Time / International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR) and the Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT or aPTT ). They can be used to establish your baseline (starting point) before treatment, or to monitor your response to anticoagulation medications such as warfarin and heparin.

The process of blood coagulation and clotting involves a series of reactions that focus on activating clotting factors in your blood. There must be enough quantity of each factor, with each factor working properly, for normal clotting to occur. Too little of these factors can lead to excessive bleeding, and too much may lead to excessive clotting. If your PT/INR or PTT is abnormal, your doctor may order more blood tests to measure the amounts of each clotting factor in your blood.

For more information, see the Roswell Park publication “Understanding Your Blood Tests.” You’ll find it online in the Patient Education Library in the MyRoswell patient portal, or you can pick up a copy of the brochure from the Resource Center for Patients and Families or ask your nurse in your center.

In Part 2 of this article, we look at blood tests related to white blood cells and tumor markers.

Hematocrit | Labcorp

View Sources

Sources Used in Current Review

2019 review by Erika B. Deaton-Mohney MT(ASCP), CPP and the Editorial Review Board.

(June 24, 2019) American Society of Hematology. Blood Basics. Available online at https://www.hematology.org/Patients/Basics/. Accesses on 6/24/2019.

(October 7, 2018) Maakaron, J. Anemia: Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology. Medscape Reference. Available online at https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/198475-overview#a1. Accessed June 6, 2019.

McPherson, Richard A & Pincus, Matthew R. (© 2017). Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd Edition: Elsevier Inc., St. Louis, MO. Chapter 32, 559-605.

Greer, J, Rodgers, G, Glader, B, Arber, D, Means, R, List, A, Appelbaum, F, Dispenzieri, A, Fehniger, T (2019). Wintrobe’s Clinical Hematology-14th Edition: Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia, PA. Part 1 – Laboratory Hematology Chapter 1. Examination of Blood and Bone Marrow.

Sources Used in Previous Reviews

Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA [18th Edition].

Pagana, Kathleen D. & Pagana, Timothy J. (2001). Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference 5th Edition: Mosby, Inc., Saint Louis, MO.

Wu, A. (2006). Tietz Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, Fourth Edition. Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri. Pp 514-517.

Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. McPherson R, Pincus M, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier: 2007, Chap 31, Pp 459-460.

Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL eds (2005). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th Edition, McGraw Hill, Pp 329-336.

Pagana K, Pagana T. Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests. 3rd Edition, St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier; 2006, Pp 296-300.

Harmening D. Clinical Hematology and Fundamentals of Hemostasis. Fifth Edition, F.A. Davis Company, Piladelphia, 2009, Pp 82-85,771-773.

(Feb 9 2010) Dugdale D. Hematocrit. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003646.htm. Accessed January 2012.

(December 2005) Mayo Reference Services. How to interpret and pursue an abnormal complete blood cell count in adults. Vol. 30 No. 12. PDF available for download at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/media/articles/communique/mc2831-1205.pdf. Accessed January 2012.

(March 1, 2011) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. What is Polycythemia vera? Available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/blood/index.htm. Accessed Jan 2012.

(Aug 1, 2010) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Anemia. Available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/anemia/. Accessed Jan 2012.

(November 4, 2011) Maarkaron J. Anemia. Medscape Reference article. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/198475-overview. Accessed Jan 2012.

(May 26, 2011) Kahsai D. Emergent Management of Acute Anemia. Medscape Reference article. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/780334-overview#a1. Accessed Jan 2012.

(August 26, 2011) Harper J. Pediatric Megaloblastic Anemia. eMedicine article. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/959918-overview. Accessed Jan 2012.

(June 8, 2011) Artz A. Anemia in Elderly Persons. eMedicine article. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1339998-overview. Accessed Jan 2012.

Riley R, et.al. Automated Hematologic Evaluation. Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University. Available online at http://www.pathology.vcu.edu/education/PathLab/pages/hematopath/pbs.html#Anchor-Automated-47857. Accessed Jan 2012.

Wintrobe’s Clinical Hematology. 12th ed. Greer J, Foerster J, Rodgers G, Paraskevas F, Glader B, Arber D, Means R, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: 2009, Pp 3-4.

Harmening D. Clinical Hematology and Fundamentals of Hemostasis, Fifth Edition. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, 2009, Pp 771-773.

Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. McPherson R, Pincus M, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier: 2011, Pp 512-513, 557-599.

(September 24, 2014) O’Leary M. Hematocrit. Medscape Reference. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2054320-overview#a4. Accessed June 2015.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia – Hematology.org

Iron is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails.

Iron from the food you eat is absorbed into the body by the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract; the body only absorbs a small fraction of the iron you ingest. The iron is then released into the blood stream, where a protein called transferrin attaches to it and delivers the iron to the liver. Iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and released as needed to make new red blood cells in the bone marrow. When red blood cells are no longer able to function (after about 120 days in circulation), they are re-absorbed by the spleen. Iron from these old cells can also be recycled by the body. 

Am I at Risk?

Iron deficiency is very common, especially among women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron. The following groups of people are at highest risk for iron-deficiency anemia:

• Women who menstruate, particularly if menstrual periods are heavy
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those who have recently given birth
• People who have undergone major surgery or physical trauma
• People with gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease (sprue), inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, or Crohn disease
• People with peptic ulcer disease
• People who have undergone bariatric procedures, especially gastric bypass operations
• Vegetarians, vegans, and other people whose diets do not include iron-rich foods (Iron from vegetables, even those that are iron-rich, is not absorbed as well as iron from meat, poultry, and fish.)
• Children who drink more than 16 to 24 ounces a day of cow’s milk (Cow’s milk not only contains little iron, but it can also decrease absorption of iron and irritate the intestinal lining causing chronic blood loss.)

Other less common causes of iron deficiency include:

• Blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract due to gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), ulcers in the stomach or bowel, hemorrhoids, angiodysplasia (leaky blood vessels similar to varicose veins in the gastrointestinal tract), infections such as diverticulitis, or tumors in the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, or colon
• Blood loss from chronic nosebleeds
• Blood loss from the kidneys or bladder
• Frequent blood donations
• Intravascular hemolysis, a condition in which red blood cells break down in the blood stream, releasing iron that is then lost in the urine. This sometimes occurs in people who engage in vigorous exercise, particularly jogging. This can cause trauma to small blood vessels in the feet, so called “march hematuria.” Intravascular hemolysis can also be seen in other conditions including damaged heart valves or rare disorders such as thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) or diffuse intravascular hemolysis (DIC).

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Iron-Deficiency Anemia?

Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia are related to decreased oxygen delivery to the entire body and may include:

• Being pale or having yellow “sallow” skin
• Unexplained fatigue or lack of energy
• Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially with activity
• Unexplained generalized weakness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Pounding or “whooshing” in the ears
• Headache, especially with activity
• Craving for ice or clay – “picophagia”
• Sore or smooth tongue
• Brittle nails or hair loss

How Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed?

Iron-deficiency anemia is diagnosed by blood tests that should include a complete blood count (CBC). Additional tests may be ordered to evaluate the levels of serum ferritin, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and/or transferrin. In an individual who is anemic from iron deficiency, these tests usually show the following results:

The peripheral smear or blood slide may show small, oval-shaped cells with pale centers. In severe iron deficiency, the white blood count (WBC) may be low and the platelet count may be high or low.

What Other Tests Will Be Done If Iron Deficiency Is Diagnosed?

Your doctor will decide if other tests are necessary. Iron deficiency is common in menstruating and pregnant women, children, and others with a diet history of excessive cow’s milk or low iron-containing foods. By talking with your doctor about your diet and medical history, your doctor may gain enough information to determine whether additional testing is needed. In patients such as men, postmenopausal women, or younger women with severe anemia, the doctor may recommend additional testing. These tests may include the following:

• Testing for blood in the stool (fecal occult blood test)
• Looking for abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract – upper and lower endoscopy (looking into the stomach, esophagus, or colon with a tube), capsule enteroscopy (swallowing a tiny camera that takes images of the gastrointestinal tract), barium enema, barium swallow, or small bowel biopsy
• Testing the urine for blood or hemoglobin
• In women with abnormal or increased menstrual blood losses, a gynecologic evaluation that may include a pelvic ultrasound or uterine biopsy

Sometimes it is difficult to diagnose the cause of iron deficiency, or your doctor may be concerned that there is a problem other than iron deficiency causing the anemia. These may include inherited blood disorders called thalassemiasin which red blood cells also appear small and pale, hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease (but not sickle cell trait alone), or other blood disorders. People with chronic infections or conditions such as kidney failure, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory disorders may also have small red blood cells. When the cause of the anemia is not clear, your doctor may refer you to a hematologist, a medical specialist in blood disorders,for consultation and further evaluation.

How Is Iron Deficiency Treated?

Even if the cause of the iron deficiency can be identified and treated, it is still usually necessary to take medicinal iron (more iron than a multivitamin can provide) until the deficiency is corrected and the body’s iron stores are replenished. In some cases, if the cause cannot be identified or corrected, the patient may have to receive supplemental iron on an ongoing basis.

There are several ways to increase iron intake:

Diet

• Meat: beef, pork, or lamb, especially organ meats such as liver
• Poultry: chicken, turkey, and duck, especially liver and dark meat
• Fish, especially shellfish, sardines, and anchovies
• Leafy green members of the cabbage family including broccoli, kale, turnip greens, and collard greens
• Legumes, including lima beans, peas, pinto beans, and black-eyed peas
• Iron-enriched pastas, grains, rice, and cereals

Medicinal Iron

The amount of iron needed to treat patients with iron deficiency is higher than the amount found in most daily multivitamin supplements. The amount of iron prescribed by your doctor will be in milligrams (mg) of elemental iron. Most people with iron deficiency need 150-200 mg per day of elemental iron (2 to 5 mg of iron per kilogram of body weight per day). Ask your doctor how many milligrams of iron you should be taking per day. If you take vitamins, bring them to your doctor’s visit to be sure.

There is no evidence that any one type of iron salt, liquid, or pill is better than the others, and the amount of elemental iron varies with different preparations. To be sure of the amount of iron in a product, check the packaging. In addition to elemental iron, the iron salt content (ferrous sulfate, fumarate, or gluconate) may also be listed on the package, which can make it confusing for consumers to know how many tablets or how much liquid to take to get the proper dosage of iron.

Iron is absorbed in the small intestine (duodenum and first part of the jejunum). This means that enteric-coated iron tablets may not work as well. If you take antacids, you should take iron tablets two hours before or four hours after the antacid. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) improves iron absorption, and some doctors recommend that you take 250 mg of vitamin C with iron tablets.

Possible side effects of iron tablets include abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and dark stools.

Intravenous Iron

In some cases your doctor may recommend intravenous (IV) iron. IV iron may be necessary to treat iron deficiency in patients who do not absorb iron well in the gastrointestinal tract, patients with severe iron deficiency or chronic blood loss, patients who are receiving supplemental erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates blood production, or patients who cannot tolerate oral iron. If you need IV iron, your doctor may refer you to a hematologist to supervise the iron infusions. IV iron comes in different preparations:

• Iron dextran
• Iron sucrose
• Ferric gluconate

Large doses of iron can be given at one time when using iron dextran. Iron sucrose and ferric gluconate require more frequent doses spread over several weeks. Some patients may have an allergic reaction to IV iron, so a test dose may be administered before the first infusion. Allergic reactions are more common with iron dextran and may necessitate switching to a different preparation. Severe side effects other than allergic reactions are rare and include urticaria (hives), pruritus (itching), and muscle and joint pain.

Blood Transfusions

Red blood cell transfusions may be given to patients with severe iron-deficiency anemia who are actively bleeding or have significant symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or weakness. Transfusions are given to replace deficient red blood cells and will not completely correct the iron deficiency. Red blood cell transfusions will only provide temporary improvement. It is important to find out why you are anemic and treat the cause as well as the symptoms.

Where Can I Find More Information?

If you find that you are interested in learning more about blood diseases and disorders, here are a few other resources that may be of some help:

Results of Clinical Studies Published in 

Blood

Search Blood, the official journal of ASH, for the results of the latest blood research. While recent articles generally require a subscriber login, patients interested in viewing an access-controlled article in Blood may obtain a copy by e-mailing a request to the Blood Publishing Office.

Patient Groups

A list of Web links to patient groups and other organizations that provide information.

90,000 What do the indicators of erythrocytes MCV, MCH, MCHC say in the blood test?

What do the indicators of erythrocytes MCV, MCH, MCHC in the blood test say?

Details

Views: 152384

What do the erythrocyte counts in the blood test say?
What are RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC erythrocyte readings?

Indicators of erythrocytes (RBC – Red Blood Cells, literally – red blood cells) are separate components of the clinical (general, morphological) blood test, which is also called “complete blood count” or “Complete Blood Count” (CBC ) . Clinical Blood Test is performed to determine the number of different types of cells found in the patient’s blood and their physical characteristics.

Blood consists of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, which are suspended in plasma. Platelets are cells that provide blood clots and protect the body from blood loss if injured. Red blood cells (RBC) contain the protein hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body, to all tissues and organs.Red blood cells are pale red in color due to hemoglobin. The shape of the erythrocyte resembles a donut, but instead of a hole in the middle, it has a thinning. In a normal state, all red blood cells in the blood are basically the same color, size, and shape. However, certain conditions can lead to changes that impair their ability to function properly. For example, Anemia .

Anemia is a common blood disorder characterized by too few, deformed or poorly functioning red blood cells.

RBC values ​​determined in the laboratory indicate the size, shape and physical characteristics of RBCs. Your veterinarian can use red blood cell counts to diagnose the causes of anemia.

What are the indicators of erythrocytes for MCV, MCH, MCHC in the blood test ?

Erythrocyte counts and counts are used to diagnose various types of anemia. If, as a result of a clinical blood test, it turns out that the patient has too low an indicator of the number of red blood cells or their characteristics differ from the norm, we can talk about some kind of anemia.

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood falls below normal levels. This impairs gas exchange of tissues throughout the body, causing a lack of oxygen in the organs. With various degrees of anemia, the animal feels unwell, fatigue, dizziness, there is a desire to take a break, and shortness of breath may occur. Symptoms can be accompanied by other abnormalities if the body does not receive enough oxygen to function normally.

What are the causes of anemia in animals?

Anemia can occur if:

• too few red blood cells created, which is called aplastic anemia;
• red blood cells are destroyed prematurely, which is called hemolytic anemia;
• significant blood loss occurs, e.g. hemorrhage

Anemia can occur for a variety of reasons:

• Anemia can be inherited.This means that the genetic condition is passed from parents to children through their genes;
• Anemia can develop suddenly at any time in the patient’s life;
• Anemia can be acute, meaning it develops over a short period of time;
• Anemia can also be chronic, that is, it develops and persists for, for example, several months

Possible immediate causes of anemia:

• diets not containing iron, vitamin B-12, folate, or folic acid;
• chronic diseases such as cancer (malignant neoplasms), diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, or thyroiditis, which is an inflammation of the thyroid gland;
• Chronic infections such as feline viral immunodeficiency, tuberculosis, or others;
• significant blood loss or hemorrhage;
• Diseases affecting the bone marrow such as leukemia (feline viral leukemia), lymphoma, or multiple myeloma
• chemotherapy;
• lead poisoning;
• pregnancy;
• Certain genetic diseases, such as thalassemia, which is a hereditary form of anemia or sickle cell anemia that occurs when red blood cells cannot carry oxygen well and are sickle-shaped

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia.

Symptoms of anemia can be very mild at first. For example, many patients do not even notice that they are anemic. The most common early symptoms of anemia are:

• fatigue;
• lack of energy;
• weakness;
• pale skin

As the disease progresses, new symptoms may appear:

• dizziness;
• Feeling of coldness or numbness in the limbs;
• shortness of breath;
• irregular or fast heartbeat;

90,064 chest pain;

• headaches

In human medicine, most patients do not know they have anemia until they have a complete clinical blood count (CBC) blood test and abnormalities.

CBC (Complete Blood Count) is a broad set of parameters that measures the total number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a blood sample. If an animal is found to be anemic, CBC readings can help determine what is causing the anemia.

What Happens During a CBC?

A small amount of blood must be drawn from the patient to test for RBC indices. Your animal does not need any special preparations for this test, unlike a biochemical test, where a blood sample is taken on an empty stomach after a fasting diet for 6-8 hours.

Next, we describe what happens during the CBC:

If blood is drawn from a vein, the veterinarian or assistant will first cleanse the area near the vein from hair, treat with an antiseptic, and apply a tourniquet above the sampling site so that the vein fills with more blood.

An experienced veterinarian carefully inserts a needle into a vein and slowly draws blood from the bloodstream into a syringe or tube. An intravenous catheter is sometimes used.

When the required amount of blood has been withdrawn, the veterinarian removes the tourniquet, removes the needle and, in some cases, places a compress over the sampling site to prevent hematoma formation.

The blood sample is then sent to the laboratory for analysis, where laboratory personnel are analyzed using special equipment. It should be borne in mind that a clinical blood test, if it is performed using the old methods using a microscope, gives only an approximate idea of ​​the patient’s condition, since it has a large error. In addition, the calculation of hemoglobin concentration, CBC and parameters such as MCV, MCH, MCHC manually is generally not possible in practice.

In the laboratory of the Kotofey Veterinary Clinic, a complete CBC blood cell count is performed using an automatic computer-controlled analyzer, which ensures high accuracy and stability of the results.

What are the three main indicators of erythrocyte indices?

Erythrocyte indices have three main indicators:

• average body volume (MCV) , which shows the average size of red blood cells;
• average corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) , which shows the average amount of hemoglobin per erythrocyte;
• mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) , which is the amount of hemoglobin relative to the size of the concentration of red blood cells, or hemoglobin per red blood cell

The norms for the indicators of the clinical analysis of blood not only may differ depending on the types of patients (cats, dogs, etc.)but should also be taken into account by laboratory equipment and personnel when performing the analysis. Therefore, the CBC blood test in animals must be performed in specialized veterinary laboratories. It is for this reason that veterinary clinics that use the services of human medicine laboratories in many cases receive incorrect results.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory.

What do the results of the erythrocyte indices mean?

CBC RBC Indexes can help your doctor determine the cause of anemia in your animal.MCV is the most useful CBC score and helps determine the type of anemia.

If the veterinarian sees a low, normal, or high MCV, this will help determine the cause of the anemia.

MCV High

If the MCV is above normal, this indicates that there are more red blood cells than usual. This is called macrocytic anemia .

Macrocytic anemia can be caused by:

• vitamin B12 deficiency;
• folate deficiency;
• chemotherapy;
• pre-leukemic condition

Low MCV

MCV will be below normal if red blood cells are too small.This condition is called microcytic anemia .

Microcytic anemia can be caused by:

• iron deficiency, which can be caused by poor dietary iron intake, gastrointestinal or other bleeding;
• thalassemia;
• lead poisoning;
• chronic diseases

MCV Normal Level

Normal MCV indicates that the patient’s red blood cells are of normal size.A normal MCV can also be accompanied by anemia, for example, if the red blood cells are normal in size but too few, or if other RBC readings are abnormal. This is called normocytic anemia .

Normocytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are of normal size and hemoglobin, but the number is too low.

This can be caused by the following reasons:

• sudden and significant blood loss;
• cardiac problems;
• tumor;
• Chronic disease such as kidney disease or endocrine disorder;
• aplastic anemia;
• blood infection

High MCHC

If a patient has a high MCHC, this means that the relative concentration of hemoglobin per erythrocyte is high.MCHC may be elevated in diseases such as:

• hereditary spherocytosis;
• sickle cell anemia;
• disease of homozygous hemoglobin C

Low level MCHC

If a patient has a low MCHC level, this means that the relative concentration of hemoglobin per red blood cell is low. Red blood cells appear lighter in color when viewed under a microscope. This is called hypochromia .Patients with anemia and a corresponding low MCHC are called hypochromic .

Causes that can cause a low MCHC include the same causes that cause a low MCV, including:

• iron deficiency;
• chronic diseases;
• thalassemia;
• lead poisoning

Generally, low MCV and MCHC are found together. Anemias in which both MCV and MCHC are low are called microcytic hypochromic anemia .

Conclusion

The veterinarian may also perform other diagnostic tests. Treatment for any anemia depends on the underlying cause. For example, if anemia is caused by an iron deficiency, your doctor may advise you to take iron supplements or change a diet that contains more iron supplements. If a patient has an underlying medical condition that causes anemia, treatment for that condition can often also reduce the degree of anemia.

We recommend that you check with your veterinarian if your animal has any symptoms of anemia or if you have any concerns about the CBC or RBC results.

You can take a CBC blood test with erythrocyte indices RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC in the city of Dnipro in the independent laboratory of the Kotofey veterinary clinic.

This article was written using publicly available materials.
When writing this article, foreign literature was used.

90,000 The rate of a complete blood count during pregnancy. Hemoglobin, platelets, hematocrit, erythrocytes and leukocytes during pregnancy.Clinical blood test during pregnancy. Hematological changes during pregnancy.

Translation of materials from UpTodate.com
A normal pregnancy is characterized by significant changes in almost all organs and systems to adapt to the requirements of the fetoplacental complex, including changes in blood test parameters during pregnancy.

Norms of blood analysis during pregnancy: a summary of article

• Significant hematological changes during pregnancy are physiological anemia, neutrophilia, moderate thrombocytopenia, increased coagulation factors and decreased fibrinolysis.
• By 6-12 weeks of gestation, the blood plasma volume increases by about 10-15%. The fastest rate of increase in blood plasma volume is observed in the period from 30 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, after which the volume of plasma changes slightly.
• The number of red blood cells begins to increase at 8-10 weeks of pregnancy and by the end of pregnancy increases by 20-30% (250-450 ml) relative to the normal level for non-pregnant women by the end of pregnancy A significant increase in plasma volume relative to an increase in hemoglobin and red blood cell volume leads to a moderate a decrease in the level of hemoglobin (physiological anemia of pregnant women), which is observed in healthy pregnant women.
• Pregnant women may have a slight decrease in platelet count compared to healthy, non-pregnant women.
• The number of neutrophils begins to rise in the second month of pregnancy and stabilizes in the second or third trimester, at which time the number of leukocytes. The absolute number of lymphocytes does not change.
• The level of some blood clotting factors changes during pregnancy.

This article describes the hematological changes that occur during pregnancy, the most important of which are:

• Increase in blood plasma volume and decrease in hematocrit
• Physiological anemia, low hemoglobin
• Elevated leukocytes during pregnancy
• Neutrophilia
• Moderate thrombocytopenia
• Increased procoagulant factors
• Reduction of fibrinolysis

Analyzes referred to in Article

How to get blood tests and get a 5% discount? Go to the online store of the CIR laboratories!

Blood plasma volume

By 6-12 weeks of gestation, the blood plasma volume increases by about 10-15%.The fastest rate of increase in blood plasma volume is observed in the period from 30 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, after which the volume of plasma changes slightly. On average, the volume of blood plasma increases by 1100-1600 ml per trimester, and as a result, the plasma volume during pregnancy increases to 4700-5200 ml, which is 30 to 50% higher than the plasma volume in non-pregnant women.

During pregnancy, plasma renin activity tends to increase, while the level of atrial natriuretic peptide decreases slightly.This suggests that the increase in plasma volume is caused by insufficiency of the vascular system, which leads to systemic vasodilation (vasodilation throughout the body) and an increase in vascular capacity. Since it is the volume of blood plasma that initially increases, its effect on the renal and atrial receptors leads to opposite effects on the hormonal background (a decrease in plasma renin activity and an increase in natriuretic peptide). This hypothesis is also supported by the observation that increasing sodium intake does not affect further increases in plasma volume.

After childbirth, plasma volume immediately decreases, but rises again after 2-5 days, possibly due to an increase in aldosterone secretion that occurs at this time. Then the plasma volume gradually decreases again: 3 weeks after delivery, it is still increased by 10-15% relative to the normal level for non-pregnant women, but usually fully returns to normal after 6 weeks after delivery.

Erythrocytes during pregnancy, ESR during pregnancy

The number of red blood cells begins to increase at 8-10 weeks of gestation and by the end of pregnancy increases by 20-30% (250-450 ml) relative to the normal level for non-pregnant women, especially in women who took iron supplements during pregnancy.Among pregnant women who did not take iron supplements, the number of red blood cells can increase by only 15-20%. The life span of red blood cells decreases slightly during normal pregnancy.

The level of erythropoietin in normal pregnancy increases by 50% and its change depends on the presence of complications of pregnancy. The increase in plasma erythropoietin leads to an increase in the number of red blood cells, which partly provide the high metabolic oxygen requirements during pregnancy.

In women who do not take iron supplements, the average volume of red blood cells decreases during pregnancy and in the third trimester averages 80-84 fl. However, in healthy pregnant women and in pregnant women with moderate iron deficiency, the average volume of red blood cells increases by about 4 fl.

ESR increases during pregnancy, which has no diagnostic value.

Anemia during pregnancy, hemoglobin during pregnancy, hematocrit during pregnancy, low hemoglobin during pregnancy

Decrease in hemoglobin during pregnancy

A significant increase in plasma volume relative to an increase in the amount of hemoglobin and the volume of red blood cells leads to a moderate decrease in hemoglobin levels (physiological anemia or low hemoglobin in pregnant women), which is observed in healthy pregnant women.The largest difference between the rate of increase in blood plasma volume and the number of red blood cells in the maternal bloodstream is formed during the end of the second, early third trimester (a decrease in hemoglobin usually occurs at 28-36 weeks of pregnancy). The concentration of hemoglobin increases due to the cessation of the increase in plasma volume and the continuation of the increase in the amount of hemoglobin. On the contrary, the absence of physiological anemia is a risk factor for stillbirth.

Anemia during pregnancy

Establishing a clear definition of anemia in pregnant women is difficult becauseThis is because it consists of pregnancy-related changes in blood plasma volume and red blood cell count, physiological differences in hemoglobin concentration between women and men, and the frequency of use of iron supplements during pregnancy.

• The CDC defined anemia as less than 110 g / L (less than 33% hematocrit) in the first and third trimesters and less than 105 g / L (less than 32% hematocrit) in the second trimester.
• WHO defined anemia in pregnant women as a decrease in hemoglobin less than 110 g / l (11 g / dl) or a hematocrit less than 6.83 mmol / l or 33%.Severe anemia of pregnancy is determined by a hemoglobin level of less than 70 g / l and requires medical treatment. Very severe anemia is defined as a hemoglobin level of less than 40 g / L and requires urgent medical attention due to the risk of congestive heart failure.

Women with hemoglobin values ​​below these levels are considered anemic and should undergo routine tests (CBC with peripheral smear, reticulocyte count, serum iron, ferritin, transferrin).If no abnormalities were found during examination, then hemoglobin reduced to a level of 100 g / l can be considered physiological anemia with a wide variety of factors affecting the normal hemoglobin level in a particular person.

Chronic severe anemia is most common in women in developing countries. A decrease in maternal hemoglobin below 60 g / l leads to a decrease in the volume of amniotic fluid, vasodilation of the cerebral vessels of the fetus and a change in the heart rate of the fetus.There is also an increased risk of premature birth, miscarriage, low birth weight and stillbirth. In addition, severe anemia (hemoglobin less than 70 g / L) increases the risk of maternal death. There is no evidence that anemia increases the risk of fetal congenital anomalies.

Severe chronic anemia is usually associated with insufficient iron stores (due to insufficient dietary intake or intestinal worm infestations), folate deficiency (due to insufficient intake and chronic hemolytic conditions such as malaria).Thus, it is possible to prevent chronic anemia and improve pregnancy outcomes with dietary supplements and infection control measures.

Blood and red blood cell transfusion (where safe blood transfusion is available) is a reasonable aggressive treatment for severe anemia, especially if there is evidence of fetal hypoxia.

Signs of physiological anemia of pregnancy disappear 6 weeks after delivery, when the plasma volume returns to normal.

Iron requirement

In singleton pregnancies, the iron requirement is 1000 mg per pregnancy: approximately 300 mg for the fetus and placenta and approximately 500 mg, if any, to increase the amount of hemoglobin. 200 mg is lost through the intestines, urine and skin. Since most women do not have an adequate supply of iron to meet their needs during pregnancy, iron is usually prescribed as part of a multivitamin or as a separate supplement. In general, women taking iron supplements have a 1 g / dl higher hemoglobin concentration than women who are not taking iron.

Folate requirement

The daily folate requirement for non-pregnant women is 50-100 mcg. An increase in the number of red blood cells during pregnancy leads to an increase in the need for folic acid, which is ensured by an increase in the dose of folic acid to 400-800 mcg per day to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus.

Platelets during pregnancy

In most cases, platelet counts during uncomplicated pregnancies remain within the normal range for non-pregnant women, but it is also possible for pregnant women to have lower platelet counts than in healthy non-pregnant women.The platelet count begins to rise immediately after childbirth and continues to increase for 3-4 weeks until it returns to normal values. 9 / l.The white blood cell count is reduced to the reference interval for non-pregnant women by the sixth day after delivery.

Pregnant women may have small numbers of myelocytes and metamyelocytes in the peripheral blood. According to some studies, there is an increase in the number of young forms of neutrophils during pregnancy. Lobes’ bodies (blue staining of cytoplasmic inclusions in granulocytes) are considered the norm in pregnant women.

In healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancy, there are no changes in the absolute number of lymphocytes and there are no significant changes in the relative number of T- and B-lymphocytes.The number of monocytes usually does not change, the number of basophils may decrease slightly, and the number of eosinophils may slightly increase.

Clotting factors and inhibitors

During normal pregnancy, the following changes in blood clotting factor levels occur, leading to physiological hypercoagulability:

• Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, the activity of total protein S antigen, free protein S antigen and protein S decreases.
• Resistance to activated protein C increases in the second and third trimesters.These changes were identified in the first generation tests using pure blood plasma (i.e., not devoid of factor V), but this test is rarely used clinically and has only historical interest.
• Fibrinogen and factors II, VII, VIII, X, XII and XIII are increased by 20-200%.
• The von Willebrand factor rises.
• Increased activity of fibrinolysis inhibitors, TAF1, PAI-1 and PAI-2. The level of PAI-1 also increases markedly.
• Levels of antithrombin III, protein C, factor V and factor IX most often remain unchanged or slightly increase.

The end result of these changes is an increase in the tendency to thrombosis, an increase in the likelihood of venous thrombosis during pregnancy and, especially, in the postpartum period. Along with the reduction of the myometrium and the increase in the level of decidual tissue factor, hypercoagulation protects the pregnant woman from excessive bleeding during childbirth and placental separation.

APTT remains normal during pregnancy, but may decrease slightly. Prothrombin time may be shortened. The bleeding time does not change.

The timing of the normalization of blood clotting activity in the postpartum period may vary depending on factors, but everything should return to normal within 6-8 weeks after delivery. The hemostasiogram does not need to be assessed earlier than 3 months after childbirth and after the completion of lactation to exclude the influence of pregnancy factors.

The influence of factors of acquired or hereditary thrombophilia on pregnancy is an area of ​​research.

Postpartum

Hematologic changes associated with pregnancy return to normal levels 6-8 weeks after delivery. The rate and nature of normalization of changes associated with pregnancy, specific hematological parameters are described above in the section dedicated to each parameter.

Hematological complications during pregnancy

• Iron deficiency anemia.
• Thrombocytopenia.
• Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.
• Acquired hemophilia A.
• Venous thrombosis.
• Rh and non-Rh alloimmunization. For diagnosis, an analysis is carried out for Rh antibodies and antigroup antibodies.
• A previously unrecognized coagulation disorder, such as von Willebrand disease, is most commonly seen in women during pregnancy and childbirth.To screen for von Willebrand disease, an assay is performed to assess platelet aggregation with ristocetin.
• Aplastic anemia.

Interpretation of RDW-SD and RDW-CV values ​​in the diagnosis of anisocytosis

Very often, clients of those laboratories where blood tests are carried out on automatic hematological analyzers ask for an explanation of the results obtained for all parameters of a general blood test.The question is logical, since instead of the usual five indicators, patients receive an extract, which lists from 18 to 22 indicators. Svyatoslav Polovkovich, Product Manager of Diameb Trade Company, has prepared an article that will help doctors and laboratory specialists to clarify this issue to patients.

Blood, its functions and what are “erythrocytes”

Blood is one of the important components of a living organism. It is a liquid tissue, consisting of plasma and shaped elements.Shaped elements are understood as platelets, erythrocytes and leukocytes.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs) are non-nuclear cells in the form of a concave disc. The nuclear-free erythrocytes and their shape provide them with the most optimal properties in the process of gas exchange and maintaining osmotic resistance. The normal size of an erythrocyte is 7.5-8.3 microns; life expectancy is 90-120 days. Red blood cells have antigenic properties, on the basis of which four main blood groups are distinguished.The erythrocyte cytoplasm is 96% filled with hemoglobin. In addition to mature erythrocytes, young erythrocytes — reticulocytes — can normally be found in the peripheral blood. These are nuclear-free cells with a large amount of RNA and ribosomes that have membrane receptors for transferin. At the stage of reticulocytes, up to 30% of the total amount of hemoglobin in an erythrocyte can be produced. Another 70-80% of hemoglobin is synthesized earlier, in the pre-reticulocytic stages of cell differentiation. The reticulocyte loses RNA and the ability to produce hemoglobin when it becomes a mature red blood cell.In the reticulocyte stage, the erythrocyte is in the bone marrow for one day and in the peripheral blood for another day.

The circulatory system connects and nourishes all organs, therefore it is very important to monitor its condition and regularly carry out a complete blood count. When conducting a complete blood count, you should pay attention to the size, color and shape of the blood cells. By the deviation of the shape and size of cells from normal, one can judge about poikilocytosis and anisocytosis.

Signal message of the hematology analyzer “Anisocytosis”: what indicators to pay attention to

Laboratory specialists often have to answer a question about the interpretation of hematology analyzer readings.The automatic hematology analyzer itself informs about the patient’s clinical picture. However, at the meetings of laboratory assistants, the most asked questions are questions about what indicators are used to make these conclusions, and questions of interpreting the indicators of the hematological analyzer. Let’s try to explain these aspects by the example of the interpretation of the values ​​of the RDW-SD and RDW-CV indicators in the diagnosis of anisocytosis.

Blood anisocytosis is an excess of the level of the number of cells of a non-standard size.Depending on which blood cells have changed their size, erythrocyte anisocytosis and platelet anisocytosis are distinguished.

Anisocytosis of erythrocytes in a general blood test indicates that the size of blood particles differs from the standard. The normal size of red blood cells is 7.5-8.3 microns. The presence in the blood of a small number of red blood cells of a non-standard size (compared to the total number) is allowed. On average, this value is 30%.It is considered normal if 15% of the cells in the blood are smaller than the standard, and 15% of the cells have a larger diameter than theirs. Red blood cells with a smaller diameter (<6.9 μm) are called microcytes. Red blood cells, large in diameter, are divided into two more groups:

• macrocytes 8 μm
• megalocytes: d> 12 μm.

If the blood cells differ significantly in size from the permissible value, a diagnosis of “Increased erythrocyte anisocytosis” will be made.

Based on the size of the cells in the blood, microcytosis, mixed type and macrocytosis are distinguished. Mixed type anisocytosis occupies an intermediate place between microcytosis and macrocytosis; this type is characterized by the presence of both small and large blood cells in the blood. For example, mixed type anisocytosis with a predominance of microcytes means that in the blood the particle sizes are heterogeneous, but the majority are small in diameter particles.

To indicate the degree of heterogeneity, there is a special index – RDW (“red cell distribution width”) or the index of erythrocyte anisocytosis.That is, RDW demonstrates heterogeneity in the size of the erythrocyte population in the sample under study.

There are two types of indicators – RDW-CV and RDW-SD. The first, RDW-CV, shows the percentage distribution of cells by size. The second, RDW-SD, is their standard deviation, that is, the difference in size between the smallest and largest red blood cells in a blood sample.

The definition of the RDW-CV index is carried out by the hematology analyzer automatically according to a special formula, which takes into account the average volume of MCV blood erythrocytes and the standard deviation from MCV.The indicator calculated in this way is usually denoted as a percentage. The RDW-CV rate is 11-15%. RDW-CV directly depends on the value of the average volume of erythrocytes MCV, therefore, if the majority of the cells in the population are small (as in microcytosis), the RDW-CV indicator will remain within the normal range. RDW-CV is less sensitive to the presence of a small population of microcytes, macrocytes, or reticulocytes, but better reflects general changes in red blood cell size in macrocytic or microcytic anemia.

The RDW-SD record can also be found in the blood test results. This indicator is determined by a different method and does not depend on the average volume of erythrocytes. The definition of RDW-SD is a direct measurement of the width of the erythrocyte histogram at 20% of the height of the curve; the height of the RBC histogram is taken as 100%. RDW-SD is measured in fl (femtoliters) and reflects the difference between the maximum and minimum volume of erythrocyte cells in the test sample. Normally, RDW-SD is 35-60 fl.RDW-SD is a more sensitive indicator when a small number of macrocytes and microcytes appear in the erythrocyte population, as it measures the lower part of the erythrocyte volume distribution curve. Also, this indicator will change faster with reticulocytosis, since there will be a widening of the base of the erythrocyte histogram.

Clinical value of RDW value at diagnosis

Interpretation of the RDW value in the test results is always carried out in parallel with the assessment of the average erythrocyte volume (MCV), since quite often the width of distribution of red blood cells remains normal in the presence of a homogeneous population of cells with microcytosis or macrocytosis.

If the RDW in the blood test is increased, the following pathological conditions can be assumed in the patient:

1. Iron deficiency anemia
2. Hemolytic anemia of an immune nature
3. Megaloblastic anemia (with a lack of vitamins B9 and B12)
4. Hemoglobinopathy

Elevated RDW values ​​are also characteristic of patients with liver disease and patients who have undergone blood transfusions. In addition, the anisocytosis index may be overestimated by mistake if cold agglutinins are present in the test sample.It is also worth noting pathologies in which the RDW does not change. These include: beta-thalassemia, anemia in severe chronic diseases, sickle cell anemia, acute hemorrhagic and aplastic anemia, spherocytosis.

It is important that conducting a study on an automatic hematology analyzer is more accurate, since the indicator of the width of distribution of red blood cells can increase even before the appearance of changes on the part of red blood cells, and the value of hemoglobin, that is, an increase in the index of anisocytosis, can be called an early marker of anemia.It should be noted that during the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, the RDW indicator not only does not decrease, but also increases, while the histogram changes noticeably (two peaks appear on the distribution curve). This is due to the fact that young cells appear that differ in size from mature erythrocytes. If drug therapy is effective, the anisocytosis index is normalized, but it is normalized by the most recent of all erythrocyte indexes.

Diameb Trade offers automatic hematology analyzers from the European manufacturer DIATRON.These analyzers measure, in addition to other standard indicators, the width of distribution of red blood cells (RDW) in two versions: RDW-CV and RDW-SD, which fully shows the heterogeneity of the size of the erythrocyte population in the sample under study. A wide line of DIATRON analyzers is represented by analyzers of various performance (from 30 to 80 tests per hour), with various technical characteristics (small sample module, auto-puncture, autoload, etc.). This allows you to fully meet the needs of laboratories of various sizes and directions (primary care, family doctors, pediatrics, oncology, etc.)etc.). The company offers an individual approach to each client in terms of payment, delivery and service. We provide warranty and post-warranty service.

90,000 Complete blood count. What do the results mean?

So, you have passed a general blood test (aka clinical analysis, aka a detailed analysis). It doesn’t matter whether you handed it over from a vein or from a finger, as a result you will receive a certain set of letters and numbers, completely incomprehensible to the uninitiated. What does it mean?

Let’s analyze the basic letter combinations that are found on modern forms of a general blood test.Of course, a detailed analysis is found on modern forms of a general blood test. It does not matter whether you handed it over, it is written on a piece of paper that is important and interesting.

RBC (red blood cells) – erythrocytes.

This is the first thing we pay attention to. Erythrocytes are red blood cells that provide the basic vital functions of all body tissues by carrying oxygen.

Norm: men: 4.0-5.0 · 1012 / l; women: 3.5-4.7 1012 / l.

Increase: or “erythrocytosis” can be observed either due to an increase in their synthesis in the red bone marrow, for example, with tumor growth (erythremia), due to diseases of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems that lead to heart or pulmonary failure (such as an attempt by the body to compensate for the lack of oxygen), due to narrowing of the lumen of the renal artery, due to dehydration of the body (vomiting, diarrhea, active sweating).

Decrease in: or “erythropenia”, the causes of which, firstly, are food poor in nutrients and vitamins, and secondly, increased destruction due to bleeding (both external and internal, which may not appear immediately), thirdly, due to hereditary fermentopathies or disturbances in the enzyme system responsible for the synthesis of erythrocytes, fourthly, due to hemolysis (destruction of cells as a result of intoxication or autoimmune processes when the body perceives its own elements as foreign), fifthly, due to tumor diseases of the hematopoietic system.

WBC (white blood cells) – leukocytes.

These are white blood cells, “protective dogs” of the body, exercising immune control, neutralizing foreign elements and getting rid of viruses and bacteria.

Norm: for men and women 4.0 * 109 / l – 9.0 * 10 / l.

Increase: called “leukocytosis” and indicates that the body is undergoing some kind of inflammatory reaction. It is also typical for malignant tumors, trauma, myocardial infarction of the acute and subset phases, the period of exacerbation of rheumatism, pregnancy (last trimester) and after the birth period.Can be detected after heavy physical exertion and during menstruation

Decrease: or “leukopenia” can speak of diseases of the red bone marrow of a tumor nature (leukemia), radiation sickness after exposure to ionizing radiation, viral infectious diseases (influenza, typhoid fever, malaria, rubella, measles, mumps) , viral hepatitis), is observed when taking anticancer drugs, as an inevitable effect. There are 5 types of leukocytes in total: granulocytes containing granules in the cytoplasm that are stained with special dyes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and agranulocytes that do not have specific granules (monocytes and lymphocytes).

GR % is the relative (%) content of granulocytes and GR # is the absolute content of granulocytes. Let’s consider some of them:

NEUT % (NE%) (neutrophils) – the relative content of neutrophils. Neutrophils are cells that “live” in the bloodstream and, if necessary, pass into tissue, becoming macrophages that absorb and digest foreign viruses and bacteria.

Norm: segmented (mature) 47-72%, stab (young) 1-6%.

Increase: infectious and inflammatory processes, myocardial infarction, chronic metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus), taking immunostimulants.

Decrease in: infectious diseases (typhoid fever, brucellosis, influenza, measles, chickenpox (chickenpox), rubella, viral hepatitis), blood diseases, high levels of thyroid hormones (thyrotoxicosis), consequences of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

A shift in the leukocyte count to the left means that young, “immature” neutrophils appear in the blood, which are normally present only in the bone marrow.This happens with mild and severe infectious and inflammatory processes, as well as with acute blood loss, diphtheria, pneumonia, scarlet fever, sepsis, intoxication.

A shift in the leukocyte formula to the right means that the number of “old” neutrophils (segmented) increases in the blood, and the number of nucleus segments becomes more than five. Such a picture occurs in healthy people living in areas contaminated with radioactive waste, as well as with a lack of certain vitamins (B12, B6).

EO % – the relative content of eosinophils. These are cells that cleanse the body of toxic substances, parasites and help get rid of cancer cells.

Rate: 0-5%.

Increase: mainly for allergies, parasitic and rheumatic diseases. A frequent indicator of the presence of bronchial asthma.

Decrease: in case of intoxication with heavy metals, severe purulent processes, indicates the onset of the inflammatory process.

BA % – the relative content of basophils.These are cells that are much larger than the rest of the leukocytes; they take part in the formation of immunological inflammatory reactions of the delayed type. Yes, these are the main cells that form an allergic reaction, producing substances that cause edema, hyperemia, and inflammation.

Rate: 0-1%.

Increase: with a decrease in thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), cancer of the blood (chronic milky leukemia), allergies, chickenpox, nephrosis.

LYM % (LY%) (lymphocyte) – the relative content of lymphocytes.

Rate: 19-37%.

Increase (lymphocytosis): viral infections, poisoning, the use of certain drugs.

Decrease (lymphopenia): tuberculosis, lupus, renal failure, immunodeficiency, consequences of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

MON % (MO%) (monocyte) – the relative content of monocytes. These are the largest cells of the immune system. They recognize foreign substances and train other white blood cells to recognize them.

Rate: 3-11%.

Increase: viral infections, autoimmune diseases, diseases of the hematopoietic system.

Decrease: aplastic anemia, consequences of childbirth or surgery, purulent lesions.

HGB (Hb, hemoglobin) – hemoglobin, concentration in whole blood. This is a substance that is contained in erythrocytes, it is this substance that is capable of attaching oxygen (up to 8 molecules at a time).

Norm: women: 120–140 g / l, men: 130–160 g / l.

Increase: dehydration, diabetes, impaired renal function, heart and lung defects, diseases of the hematopoietic organs.

Decrease: anemia, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, blood loss, exhaustion of the body.

HCT (hematocrit) – hematocrit. This is the percentage of the volume of blood taken to the volume occupied by red blood cells. It is determined in order to be able to distinguish the change in the volume of fluid from the relative change in the volume of red blood cells in it.

Norm: 38.0-49.0%.

Increase: “thickening” of the blood, an increase in the content of red blood cells and a decrease in plasma volume (see.erythrocytosis).

Decrease: “thinning” of blood, a decrease in the content of erythrocytes in it (anemia, renal failure, 2nd half of pregnancy), an increase in plasma volume due to increased fluid intake.

MCH is the average hemoglobin content in a single erythrocyte. The index reflects how much red blood cells are filled with hemoglobin. It is important to identify and distinguish different types of anemia (eg, hemolytic and iron deficiency).

Norm: 24-33 picograms.

In the past, the so-called color index (ratio) was used. Its norm is 0.85-1.05.

PLT (platelets – platelets) – platelets in absolute numbers. These are blood cells, which are chunks of megakaryocytes (giant cells located in the red bone marrow) that are responsible for blood clotting.

Norm: 180-320 * 109 / l.

Increase: blood clotting increases with the removal of the spleen, various types of anemia, erythremia, condition after surgery, physical fatigue.

Decrease: blood clotting decreases in congenital blood diseases, autoimmune pathologies, renal vein thrombosis, blood transfusion, clotted renal veins and other conditions.

ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate. What is observed is the rate at which erythrocyte sedimentation occurs and the separation of the transparent part (plasma and white blood cells) and the erythrocyte mass in the column. This analysis speaks about the state of the erythrocyte membrane (normally, the membranes have a negative charge and are repelled, reducing the sedimentation rate), or about a quantitative change in blood proteins that are able to glue red blood cells into columns, increasing the sedimentation rate.The indicator is very nonspecific, quite variable and has many manifestations in many conditions.

Norm: 2–12 mm / h.

Increase: infectious and inflammatory diseases, malignant tumors, trauma, kidney disease, medication.

Decrease: recovery from illness, exhaustion of the body, severe traumatic brain injury, certain medications (diclofenac, aspirin, immunosuppressants, hormones).

Explanation of analysis values ​​

There are many options for taking a blood test.Blood is taken for various purposes, to obtain indicators of the level of various elements in the blood, as well as other related processes.

An accurate blood test will help determine in time what is wrong in the body and will tell the doctor what measures should be taken to improve your condition. A blood test also helps to monitor the effect of medications on the body.

Let’s see how the indicators are deciphered:

Leukocyte indicators:

• WBC (leukocytes) – white or colorless blood cells of various sizes.The main function of leukocytes is to resist infections, viruses, bacteria, etc. Leukocytes are divided into 5 types: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.
• LYM (lymphocytes) – the main cells of the human immune system. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that is produced in the lymphatic system and bone marrow. According to their functions, lymphocytes are divided into B – lymphocytes, which produce antibodies, T-lymphocytes, which fight infections, and NK lymphocytes, which control the quality of the body’s cells.
• LYM% – the relative content of lymphocytes.
• MON (monocytes) – one of the types of phagocytes, the largest type of leukocytes. Monocytes are formed in the bone marrow. These cells are involved in the regulation and differentiation of hematopoiesis, then go to the tissues of the body and turn into macrophages there. Monocytes are of great importance as they are responsible for the initial activation of the entire human immune system.
• MON% – the relative content of monocytes.
• NEU (neutrophils) – Neutrophils are generated in the bone marrow. Their service life in the blood lasts several hours. Neutrophils kill germs (phagocytosis).
• NEU% – the relative content of neutrophils.
• EOS (eosinophils) – white blood cells, characterized by a specific orange color. They take part in the immune system. Increased with parasite infections. There is a tendency towards allergies and asthma.
• EOS% – the relative content of eosinophils.
• BAS (basophils) – one of the largest forms of leukocytes in the blood related to the immune system. Its main function is to dilate blood vessels during infection.
• BAS% – the relative content of basophils.

Erythrocyte readings:

• RBC (erythrocytes) – red blood cells that carry hemoglobin. The main function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to all tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.Few red blood cells – little hemoglobin. Little hemoglobin – few red blood cells. They are interconnected.
• HGB (hemoglobin) – A protein found in red blood cells and is responsible for the transfer of oxygen molecules to the cells of the body. The hemoglobin level is not constant and depends on age, gender, ethnicity, disease, smoking, in women – on pregnancy, etc.
• HCT (hematocrit) – shows the percentage of the index of the volume of red blood cells to the volume of the entire blood sample.
• MCV (average erythrocyte volume) – index of the average erythrocyte volume.
• MCH (average volume of hemoglobin) – average amount of hemoglobin in a single erythrocyte: in red blood cells.
• MCHC – the average concentration of hemoglobin in the erythrocyte.
• RDWc is the red blood cell distribution width. The indicator determines how red blood cells differ in size.

Platelet readings:

• PLT (platelets) – cells that affect blood clotting processes.Platelets are responsible for hemostasis, wound healing, and stopping bleeding. Analysis of platelets is important in diseases of the bone marrow, in which they are formed.
• PCT (thrombocyte) – an indicator that characterizes the percentage of platelet mass in the blood volume. Used to assess the risk of bleeding and thrombosis.
• MPV (average platelet volume) – index of the average platelet volume.
• PDWc – the relative width of the distribution of platelets by volume.

Additional indicators:

• ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Non-specific laboratory blood index reflecting the ratio of plasma protein fractions; a change in ESR can serve as an indirect sign of the current inflammatory or other pathological process.

Deciphering a general blood test for adult men and women

A general blood test is one of the most common and most needed diagnostic tests.It allows the doctor to assess the patient’s blood counts and quickly draw primary conclusions about his condition.

When is a complete blood count ordered?

Human blood consists of hundreds of components. For each of them, there are certain norms, and it is the “general analysis” that allows you to conduct a wide examination of the blood and identify:

• whether hostile microorganisms are present;
• what is the state of human immunity, how hormones and enzymes behave;
• What is the physical and chemical composition of blood.

A complete blood count assumes a comprehensive examination of the patient’s condition, which allows him to identify signs of a disease or disorder in the early stages. The analysis is assigned to all patients seeking specialized medical care. Taking blood from a finger or vein (arterial or venous blood) is a fairly simple, but at the same time informative analysis for the doctor. So, for example, it allows you to identify possible allergic reactions to certain drugs in a patient, which will allow you to further exclude them from the structure of treatment.However, it should be remembered that a complete blood count alone is not enough to make a definitive diagnosis, and the doctor will prescribe other tests as well.

This is interesting
Human blood is constantly being renewed. Every hour in an adult, approximately 5 billion white blood cells, 2 billion platelets and 1 billion red blood cells die off. They are replaced by young cells. About 25 grams of blood is completely renewed per day.

Decoding a general blood test for adults: norm and pathology

Like most diagnostic tests, a general blood test is performed in the morning and on an empty stomach.The result – a summary table of indicators – is prepared for several hours and delivered to the attending physician, and then to the patient either on the same or the next day. Here are the most common indicators of a general blood test, studied in a clinical laboratory:

• hemoglobin;
• the number of erythrocytes;
• color index;
• reticulocyte count;
• platelet count;
• ESR;
• leukocyte formula, etc.

Let us consider these indicators and their norms in the blood of a healthy person in more detail.Let’s start with hemoglobin (Hb) – one of the most important components of erythrocytes, red blood cells. If hemoglobin is reduced, this may indicate a lack of iron in the body (it is used in the synthesis of hemoglobin) or vitamin B12, be the first sign of developing anemia. A significant (several times) increase in hemoglobin may indicate that the patient has pulmonary or heart failure. Elevated hemoglobin can also be a sign of blood cancer – but no doctor, as mentioned above, will make a final diagnosis based on a general blood test alone, so even if hemoglobin in the blood is greatly increased, do not panic in advance costs.The norms for this indicator for adults are as follows: 135-160 grams per liter for men, and 120-140 – for women.

Red blood cells (RBC) – transport cells. They deliver oxygen to all tissues and organs and “take” carbon dioxide. Failure in the work of red blood cells does not always indicate any disease and is sometimes the norm.

The normal indicator of the content of erythrocytes for adult men is considered to be 4.0–5.5 million in 1 μl, and for women – 3.7–4.7 million in 1 μl of blood.A reduced number of red blood cells can indicate both a lack of vitamin B12 in the body and blood loss – for example, during menstruation in women (in this case, a change in the level, of course, cannot be considered a pathology). An increased number of red blood cells occurs in people who have been high in the mountains for some time, where the air is thin. This is also considered the norm. That is why it is very important, having received the test results, in no case do, firstly, self-diagnostics, and secondly, prescribe self-treatment on this basis.Trust a specialist!

However, back to the indicators of erythrocytes. Elevated concentrations can indicate to the doctor that the patient has problems with the hematopoietic, respiratory or cardiovascular system.

Reticulocytes (RTC) – young cells that serve as a “preparation” for older cells. By the speed with which they appear in the bloodstream, the doctor will be able to judge the work of the bone marrow, kidneys, and also the patient’s blood itself. Normally, in adult men, the indicator is 0.24–1.7%, 0.12–2.05% in women.Elevated red blood cells can be both the norm and a deviation from it. So, for example, if the patient recently lost a lot of blood and the red blood cells are elevated, this is normal. The body restores the number of red blood cells. If there was no blood loss, an increased percentage of reticulocytes may indicate the presence of foreign agents in the blood of such diseases as hemolytic anemia or malaria. In patients with cancer, an increase in reticulocytes may indicate metastases to the bone marrow. A decrease in the level is a signal that the kidneys or bone marrow are affected, or these organs are depleted due to prolonged erythropoiesis.This may also indicate metastases in the bone marrow – unfortunately, it is impossible to predict which part of the bone marrow the tumor will metastasize and how this will affect reticulocytes – in the direction of decreasing or, conversely, increasing cell growth – is impossible.

Indicator ESR is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In a healthy person, it should not be higher than 15 mm / hour. If the ESR is 30–40 mm / hour, this may indicate the presence of a focus of inflammation in the body, poisoning or large blood loss.

The color index (MCHC) of blood indicates how much red blood cells are saturated with hemoglobin. Normally, it will look like this: from 30 to 370 g / l. A decrease indicates the presence of thalassemia and iron deficiency, an increased rate does not occur.

The main function of the platelet (PLT) is to stop bleeding through the formation of a blood clot. The normal platelet count is 1.4–3.4 g / L. An increase in the number of platelets will indicate to the doctor the presence of injury, possibly a malignant tumor, thrombocytopenia, as well as some other diseases, but it may also be an indicator of the norm – if a person has recently undergone surgery.Low platelets often indicate chemical poisoning, an infectious disease, or acute or chronic leukemia. The result of the content of platelets in the blood is also influenced by the intake of certain medications, therefore it is very important to tell the doctor about what medications the patient is currently taking – in order to give the specialist the opportunity to draw up the correct diagnostic picture.

Leukocytes (WBC) in the body are “responsible” for immunity, their number tells the doctor how much the body is able to fight viruses, foreign bodies, pathogenic microorganisms or toxins.The normal leukocyte count may differ slightly depending on the age and gender of the person ( see the table below ), but in general it is 4.5 × 10 ⁹ –10 × 10 ⁹ per liter. A decrease in the indicator indicates blood diseases, viral infections, hepatitis and the negative consequences of taking a number of drugs. A high level indicates the presence of a bacterial infection in the body, high blood loss, both external and internal.

Lymphocytes (LYM) are the main building blocks of the immune system. The rate of content in the blood of an adult: from 1.2 × 10 ⁹ to 3 × 10 ⁹ per liter. If the concentration is increased, infectious diseases of a wide spectrum are diagnosed. Low levels often indicate renal or immune deficiencies, chronic illness, and a negative effect on the body of corticosteroids.

Leukocyte formula helps to determine the presence of infectious diseases and oncological processes by the ratio of certain types of leukocytes to each other.If neutrophils are above the norm, which is 50–70% of the total number of particles of this class, this may indicate infectious diseases (sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.), an inflammatory process in internal organs (arthritis, pancreatitis, etc.) , chronic metabolic disorder, heart attack or cancer. With neutropenia – a low level of neutrophils – infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, influenza, brucellosis, measles, rubella, etc. may be present. This may also indicate a recent treatment with radio or chemotherapy, or taking antiviral drugs. Eosinophils (EOS) are normally present in the blood in a ratio of 1–5% to the total number. If the indicator is higher, this can tell the doctor that the patient has allergies, intestinal parasites, infectious diseases (scarlet fever, tuberculosis, etc.), leukemia and other diseases of the hematopoietic system, and a malignant tumor. Eosinophils in the blood decrease with heavy metal poisoning, sepsis, or the onset of an inflammatory process. Basophils (BAS) are normally practically undetectable in the blood of a healthy person, since they constitute only 0–0.5% of the total number of cells.An increase in the formula will indicate one of these diseases: nephrosis, hemolytic anemia, chickenpox, hypothyroidism, chronic myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, drug or food allergies, taking hormonal drugs, ulcerative colitis, or a condition after removal of the spleen.

Monocytes are “responsible” for the absorption of dead cells and bacteria. An increased content of monocytes (MON) indicates diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, syphilis, mononucleosis, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.A decrease is observed when taking corticosteroids or after heavy surgery.

This is interesting
All parts of the human body are supplied with oxygen through the blood. The only exception is the cornea of ​​the eye – it does not have a circulatory system. The cornea must be perfectly transparent, so oxygen dissolved in tears enters its cells directly from the air.

Table of normative (reference) indicators of the clinical analysis of the blood of adult men and women

It is better, as already mentioned above, to entrust the decoding of the analysis indicators to a specialist – that is, a doctor, since the results may vary depending on the patient’s age, gender, and pregnancy in women.

909

9 0969

0.2 × 10 ⁹ –0.8 × 10 ⁹ / L
5–10%

Indicator name	Designation	Norm
Number of erythrocytes		R9BC 9009 –6.2 × 10 12 / L for women: 3.8 × 10 12 –5.5 × 10 12 / L for children: 3.8 × 10 12 –5.5 × 10 12 / L
Hemoglobin	HGB, Hb	120-140 g / l
Hematocrit	HCT	for men: 35-49% for women: 35-49% for women %
Platelet count	RLT	180 × 10 9 –320 × 10 9 / L
Leukocyte count 90 016	WBC	4.0 × 10 9 –9.0 × 10 9 / L
Granulocyte count	GRA, GRAN	1.2 × 10 9 –6.8 × 10 9 / L 47–72% of the blood volume
The number of monocytes	MON	0.1 × 10 9 –0.7 × 10 9 / L 4–10%
Lymphocyte content	LYM, LY%	1.2 × 10 9 –3 , 0 × 10 9 / L 25–40%
Erythrocyte distribution width	RDWc	11.5–14.5%
Average erythrocyte volume	MCV	80–100 fl
Average concentration of hemoglobin in erythrocyte	MCHC	30–370 g / l
MCH	26–34 pg
Content of a mixture of basophils, monocytes, eosinophils and maturing cells	MID MXD
ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)	ESR	for men: up to 10 mm / h for women: up to 15 mm / h

Even if you received the test results and some of the indicators do not seem to correspond to the norm, do not panic.The human circulatory system is a very complex and sensitive mechanism, and changes in it can often be individual and depend on many factors. In order to correctly “read” the form of results, the doctor needs to know as much as possible about the patient: from the symptoms and the time of the onset of the ailment to the dietary supplements that he has been eating in recent times. Remember this and be sure to share this information with your doctor.

This is interesting
650 kilograms – this is the weight of the total number of red blood cells that the bone marrow produces over 70 years of human life.The average bone marrow weight of an adult is only 2.6 kilograms.

Hematological studies

Clinical blood test (complete blood count) is a set of tests aimed at determining the number of various blood cells, their parameters (size, etc.) and indicators reflecting their ratio and functioning. A general blood test, as a rule, includes from 8 to 30 parameters: counting the number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets in 1 microliter or liter of blood, as well as a number of other indicators describing the shape, volume and other characteristics of these cells, leukocyte formula (percentage the ratio of various forms of leukocytes) and the calculation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

INDICATIONS FOR GENERAL BLOOD ANALYSIS

• Identification of infections, inflammatory processes, malignant neoplasms;
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment;
• Routine research

IN THE LABORATORY PERFORM:

• CBC with differentiation of the leukocyte formula (microscopy of a blood smear)
• CBC with differentiation of the leukocyte formula + reticulocytes
• Calculation of reticulocytes)

platelets manually

• Fluorescence analysis of platelets (automatic counting)
• Complete blood count with differentiation of the leukocyte formula
• Microscopic examination of the leukocyte formula (microscopy of a blood smear)
• ESR determination by Westergren’s method

General blood analysis with differentiation of the leukocyte formula, platelet and reticulocyte counting are performed on an automatic hematological analyzer XN 1000 manufactured by Sysmex Corporation, Japan.

Interpretation of indicators of a clinical blood test

• The number of leukocytes (white blood cells, WBC) with a leukocyte formula. White blood cells are cells that help the body fight infection. They are able to identify foreign agents (bacteria, viruses) in the body and destroy them. There are 5 different types of leukocytes: eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes, which are included in the leukocyte formula (the percentage of various forms of leukocytes in the blood serum and counting their number per unit volume).All differential leukocyte counting parameters, including immature granulocytes (IG), are determined using fluorescence flow cytometry and provide an expanded list of clinically relevant parameters during each analysis. The sensitivity of the assay is especially important in the detection of inflammatory and infectious diseases. The total number of leukocytes, as a rule, is increased in an acute infectious process caused by bacteria. If there are too few leukocytes, then the body becomes more susceptible to various infections.It also helps in monitoring therapy – the increased white blood cell count will begin to decline, demonstrating the effectiveness of treatment.
  Norm: (4-9) x10 ⁹ / L
• The number of erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBC). Erythrocytes are cells that contain hemoglobin. A general blood test allows you to determine whether there is a sufficient number of red blood cells in the blood, what is their shape, size and hemoglobin content (MCV, MCH, MCHC). If the number of red blood cells detected by a general blood test is reduced, it means that the patient has anemia, which can manifest itself as weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath.Less common is an increase in the total number of red blood cells (erythrocytosis, or polycythemia).
  Norm: women – (3.7-4.7) x10 ¹² / L, men – (3.9-5.1) x10 ¹² / L
• hemoglobin level (hemoglobin content, Hb). Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein that has the ability to transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs, and carbon dioxide from tissues and organs to the lungs, from which it is exhaled. Hemoglobin determines the main function of erythrocytes, the color of these blood cells depends on its content.
  Norm: women – (120-150) g ​​/ L, men – (130-170) g / L
• hematocrit (hematocrit, Hct) determines the volume of blood that erythrocytes occupy in the bloodstream. This indicator is expressed as a percentage. An increase in hematocrit occurs if the number of red blood cells increases or the volume of the liquid part of the blood decreases, which happens with excessive loss of fluid from the body (for example, with diarrhea). A decrease in this indicator is observed, on the contrary, with a decrease in the number of erythrocytes (for example, due to their loss, destruction or decrease in their formation) or with overhydration – when a person receives too much fluid (for example, with excessive administration of intravenous solutions).Hematocrit reflects not only the number of red blood cells, but also their size. If the size of red blood cells decreases (as in iron deficiency anemia), the hematocrit will also decrease.
  Norm: women – (33-46)%, men – (38-49)%
• erythrocyte indices determine the size of the erythrocyte and the hemoglobin content in it and include the average erythrocyte volume (MCV), the average hemoglobin content in erythrocyte (MCH), mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red blood cell size distribution (RDW).The determination of the above indicators is an integral part of the general blood test and is not performed separately.
  Norm: MCV – (80-98) fL, MCH – (27-37) pg, MCHC – (300-360) g / L, RDW – (11.5-14.5)%
• platelets (platelet count , PC, PLT) – cells that play a significant role in blood clotting. If a person has a low platelet count, they are at increased risk of bleeding and bruising.
  Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low platelet count: below the normal platelet count in adults.In severe thrombocytopenia, when the platelet count is less than 20 x 109 / L, spontaneous bleeding (non-traumatic) may develop. Ignoring the symptoms of severe thrombocytopenia can have serious consequences for the patient, so obtaining reliable platelet counts is essential when making clinically important decisions. At the same time, obtaining an accurate number of platelets, especially from thrombocytopenic samples of patients, is a rather difficult laboratory task.The Sysmex XN 1000 analyzer offers an affordable platelet counting solution – a fluorescence platelet assay that allows you to determine not only traditionally used indicators, but also specific markers, such as the fraction of immature platelets, which is a more accurate marker of platelet formation and reflects the percentage of immature platelets from their the total amount, and is also an established parameter by which doctors determine the cause of thrombocytopenia, based on the etiology of various congenital and acquired thrombocytopenic conditions.
  Norm: (150-450) x10 ⁹ / L
• reticulocytes (Retic count, RET) are young forms of erythrocytes formed in the bone marrow and in a small amount in the blood, allowing to assess the functional state of red hematopoiesis. An increased number of reticulocytes is a criterion for the activation of hematopoiesis in the bone marrow in hemolytic anemia, after blood loss, and a reduced number is characteristic of hypoplastic anemia.
  Automatic analysis of reticulocytes provides exceptional capabilities for comprehensive analysis of erythropoiesis. Reticulocyte counting uses a patented fluorescence flow cytometry method that is recognized worldwide for its accuracy. This analysis displays a wide range of reticulocytic parameters – both qualitative and quantitative – which helps in the formation of a complete picture of the state of the red sprout of hematopoiesis, it also becomes available to promptly monitor therapy with iron and / or erythropoietin, which gives the patient a greater chance of recovery, in the differential diagnosis of anemias monitoring the effectiveness of therapy.Along with the general counting of reticulocytes, the analyzer provides their separation into various fractions depending on the degree of maturity and, as a consequence, their erythropoietic activity. Additional insight into the quality of immature erythrocytes can be gained by assessing the level of hemoglobinization of reticulocytes, which is an advanced clinical parameter that is useful in the treatment of patients with iron deficiency and anemia. In addition, RET analysis provides information on the content of hypo- and hyperchromic erythrocytes, as well as erythrocyte fragments in a sample.
  Norm: (1.03-1.85)%
• erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) . An increase in ESR is a non-specific test indicating the presence of an inflammatory process. With a reduced number of erythrocytes in the blood, ESR increases regardless of the nature of the anemia. A decrease in ESR is observed with erythrocytosis of various etiologies. The reaction is accelerated in women during pregnancy, during fasting. The increase in ESR is based on changes in the concentration of various plasma proteins associated with a change in their electric charge, but other factors can also play a role: the size and shape of blood cells, changes in the lipid composition of plasma, etc.d.
  The ESR is determined on an automatic analyzer to determine the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of the ROLLER series – model 20PN, made in Italy. The Roller 20 PN analyzer determines the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes in venous and capillary blood, provides a result within 20 seconds by measuring the rate of aggregation of erythrocytes, which allows you to overcome the limitations and dependence on variable factors of methods for determining ESR based on the phenomenon of sedimentation.Internal and external quality controls ensure that patient results are accurate, correct and reproducible. The new patented technology is based on the method of microcapillary photometric measurement of the rate of aggregation of erythrocytes in pathological conditions.