General (detailed) Blood Test: What Shows How To Donate

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

General detailed blood test: how to take, indicators, norm and deviations

The content of the article:

1. What indicators does the general detailed blood test include?

   1. WBC
   2. RBC
   3. Hb
   4. HCT
   5. PLT
   6. ESR
   7. Erythrocyte indices
   8. Platelet indices
   9. Leukocyte indices
2. How to take a detailed blood test

In almost any pathology, certain changes in both cellular and biochemical composition occur in the blood. For example, with atherosclerosis, patients have an increase in cholesterol levels, and with anemia, the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin concentration decrease, which can be detected using laboratory tests.

A detailed blood test is prescribed for diagnosing diseases, as well as monitoring the course of treatment

A general (clinical) detailed blood test is one of the simplest and most inexpensive, and at the same time informative methods of laboratory diagnostics. It must be included in the program of basic examination of patients with various diseases, and is also performed for adults and children during the clinical examination.

What indicators does the general detailed blood test include?

When conducting a preventive examination, patients are usually prescribed a so-called abbreviated clinical blood test, which includes counting the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, determining the level of hemoglobin and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. If it reveals any deviations from the norm, as well as when examining patients with various diseases, a detailed blood test is shown, which includes about 30 different parameters. Most often it is prescribed in the following cases:

• diagnostics of anemias;
• suspicion of leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis;
• pregnancy;
• inflammatory processes;
• autoimmune diseases;
• evaluation of the effectiveness of the therapy.

Consider what is included in a clinical detailed blood test.

WBC

WBC is the absolute number of leukocytes. Leukocytes are responsible for the recognition and destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, as well as cells with a disrupted genome (tumor). Normally, the content of leukocytes in the blood is 4-9x10 ⁹ / l. Their increase means the presence in the body of a focus of inflammation or malignant neoplasm, and a decrease indicates a decrease in immune defense.

RBC

RBC is the absolute number of erythrocytes. Their main function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to all organs and tissues of the body. The normal content of erythrocytes is 4.3-5.5x10 ¹² / l. A decrease in their number occurs with bleeding, anemia, and bone marrow lesions. An increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood leads to blood clotting caused by various reasons (indomitable vomiting, polyuria, diarrhea, massive burns) or genetically determined disorders of hemoglobin synthesis.

Hb

Hb - hemoglobin. It is a special protein located inside erythrocytes and containing iron molecules in its structure. It has the ability to easily attach oxygen to itself and give it to tissues. Hemoglobin is colored red by iron, it is thanks to it that erythrocytes are red in color and all blood as a whole looks red. Normally, the hemoglobin content is 120–140 g / l. A decrease in its concentration is observed with different types of anemia.

HCT

HCT (Ht) - hematocrit. This is the ratio between blood cells and plasma volume, expressed as a percentage. The hematocrit is 39–49%. This means that blood is 60-50% plasma, the rest of the volume is occupied by cells.

PLT

PLT - platelets. These are platelets that are directly involved in the process of hemostasis, that is, the formation of a blood clot and stopping bleeding. The norm of their content is 150-400x10 ⁹ / l.

ESR

ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR. An increase in this indicator is observed in many pathological processes, but may not be associated with the disease. For example, therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or pregnancy leads to an increase in ESR.

Erythrocyte indices

1. Average erythrocyte volume (MCV). The normal value is 80–95 fl. Previously, this indicator used the terms "macrocytosis", "normocytosis" and "microcytosis".
2. The average hemoglobin content in one erythrocyte is expressed in absolute units (MCH). The norm is 27–31 pg. Previously, this index was called the color index of blood.
3. Average concentration of hemoglobin in erythrocyte mass (MCHC). Shows how much red blood cells are saturated with hemoglobin. Its decrease is observed in blood diseases associated with disturbances in the process of hemoglobin synthesis.
4. Anisocytosis or red blood cell distribution width (RDW). An indicator of the uniformity of the size of red blood cells.

Platelet indices

1. Average platelet volume (MPV). The norm is 7-10 fl.
2. Distribution width (relative) of platelets by volume (PDW). Allows you to assess the heterogeneity of platelets, that is, their difference in size among themselves.
3. Thrombokrit (PCT). Volume from whole blood per platelet and expressed as a percentage. The normal value is 0.108-0.282%.
4. Large platelet count (P-LCR).

Leukocyte indices

1. The relative content of lymphocytes (lymphocyte, LY%, LYM%). The norm is 25-40%.
2. Absolute lymphocyte count (lymphocyte, LY #, LYM #). The norm is 1.2-3.0x10 ⁹ / l.
3. The relative content of eosinophils, basophils and monocytes in the blood (MID%, MXD%). The norm is 5-10%.
4. The absolute content of eosinophils, basophils and monocytes in the blood (MID #, MXD #). The rate is 0.2-0.8x10 ⁹ / l.
5. Relative content of neutrophils (NE%, NEUT%).
6. Absolute neutrophil count (NE #, NEUT #).
7. The relative content of monocytes (MO%, MON%). The norm is 4-11%.
8. Absolute content of monocytes (MO%, MON%). The norm is 0.1-0.6x10 ⁹ / l.
9. Relative (EO%) and absolute (EO #) content of eosinophils.
10. Relative (BA%) and absolute (BA #) content of basophils.
11. Relative (IMM%) and absolute ((IMM #) content of immature granulocytes.
12. Relative (ATL%) and absolute (ATL #) content of atypical lymphocytes.
13. Relative (GRAN%, GR%) content of granulocytes. The norm is 47–72%.
14. Absolute (GRAN #, GR #) content of granulocytes. Norm 1.2-6.8x10 ⁹ / l; and others.

How to take a detailed blood test

In order for the results of an extended clinical blood study to be as accurate as possible, a number of rules must be observed:

• the optimal time for taking the test is from 7 to 10 am;
• after the last meal, at least 8 hours must pass;
• a few hours before donating blood (at least an hour), you must refrain from smoking;
• the patient should warn the doctor about all medications taken, as they can distort the test results.

A detailed blood test shows, among other things, the ratio of blood cells

The result of the analysis is usually ready on the day it is submitted. Different laboratories may adopt different standards, depending on the accepted research methods and units of measurement. Therefore, if it is necessary to conduct a repeated clinical blood test, it is advisable to take it in the same laboratory where the previous study was performed.

A detailed clinical blood test includes many indicators. Their reference (normal) values are usually indicated on the referral form, but without taking into account the patient's characteristics. For example, in children of the first years of life, the number of leukocytes is increased compared to adults, this is their age feature and the norm. In pregnant women in the second trimester, there is a slight decrease in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels. Also, other factors can affect the parameters of the general blood test, therefore only a specialist can make the correct decoding.

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Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author

Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.

Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.

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