The main method for diagnosing most diseases is a blood test in the laboratory. Based on deviations from the established norm of the blood test, the attending physician makes or confirms the diagnosis and prescribes the necessary course of treatment. It allows you to identify deviations in the early stages, which will allow the doctor to prescribe treatment at the beginning of the formation of the disease. The norm and interpretation of the general blood test are a very important step in tracking the general condition of the body.
Clinical General Analysis
The most common and necessary test, of course, is the CBC. It allows you to quickly determine whether the results of a general blood test are normal or not, thereby making primary conclusions about the patient's state of he alth.
Blood for such study in the laboratory is taken from a finger or a vein, as prescribed by a doctor.
Reasons for ordering a general analysis
This type of analysis is prescribed for each patient who seeks help from a specialized medical institution. Such an analysis makes it possible to comprehensively consider the patient's state of he alth, to identify signs of a certain kind of disease or disorder at the very beginning of their development.
This analysis is assigned to determine:
- The state of the patient's immunity.
- The behavior of hormones and enzymes in the body.
- Presence of hostile microorganisms.
- Physical and chemical state of the blood.
How to prepare for the test
Give a blood sample mostly in the morning. Before this procedure, any consumption of food and water is prohibited for at least four hours.
Indicators
At present, no more than 24 parameters can be examined during the analysis. The main indicators are:
- HGB is a red blood cell pigment called hemoglobin.
- RBC - RBC count.
- PLT - platelet count.
- WBC - white blood cell count.
- LYM - lymphocytes.
- MID - monocytes.
- HCT - hematocrit level.
- CPU is the color index.
- ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
- Basophils - granulocytes (leukocytes) are basophilic.
- Neutrophils - neutrophilic granulocytes.
- Eosinophils - eosinophilic granulocytes.
- Reticulocytes are the precursors of red blood cells.
- How concentrated on averagehemoglobin in red blood cells.
- How much hemoglobin is contained in red cells on average.
- RBC volume average.
- RBC distribution by size.
A red blood cell pigment called "hemoglobin"
Hemoglobin carries oxygen to tissues and organs, and takes carbon dioxide and sends it to the lungs. The norms of indicators vary by age and depend on gender, are calculated in g / l:
- The norm for a blood test in children from birth to fourteen days inclusive is from 134 to 198.
- From fourteen days to two months - from 107 to 130.
- From eight and a half weeks to six months - from 103 to 141.
- From six months to twelve months - from 114 to 141.
- From twelve months to five years - from 100 to 150.
- From five to twelve years old - from 115 to 150.
- If a teenager is 12 years old, then the norm of a blood test also differs by gender. From the age of twelve to adulthood, the indicators for girls vary from 115 to 153, for boys - from 120 to 166.
- The normal blood test for women aged eighteen to sixty-five is 117 to 160, for men it is 132 to 172.
- After the age of sixty-five for women - from 120 to 161, for men - from 126 to 174.
The result obtained may demonstrate a difference from the norm of a blood test, and the interpretation of the results may indicate a problem that has arisen in the body.
Low levelhemoglobin indicates a lack of iron necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin and vitamin B12. This is the first sign of anemia.
Hemoglobin increased several times may indicate the presence of pulmonary or heart failure, blood cancer. However, these are only suspicions - additional tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Red blood cells - erythrocytes
Since hemoglobin is part of erythrocytes, the mission of erythrocytes is similar to the function of hemoglobin. The norm of a blood test in adults and children is different. The result is distinguished by gender from the age of twelve:
- At the time of birth, the ideal indicator is from 3.9 to 5.5 x 1012.
- In the first three days of life, the norm of a blood test is from 4 to 6.6 x 1012.
- First fortnight - from 3.6 to 6.3 x 1012.
- From three weeks to three months - 3 to 5, 4 x 1012.
- From three months to two years - from 3, 1 to 5, 3 x 1012.
- From two years to twelve - from 3, 9 to 5, 3 x 1012.
- From twelve to adulthood in boys the norm is from 4.5 to 5.3 x 1012, in girls from 4.1 to 5.1 x 10 12.
- For adult men - from 4 to 5 x 1012, for women - from 3.5 to 4.7 x 1012.
A decrease in red blood cells indicates a deficiency of vitamin B12, and an increase indicates problems in the system of blood formation, respiration or the heart and blood vessels.
The deviation from the established norm is notnecessarily indicates the appearance of the disease. The generally accepted standards are listed above, but only a specialist should establish an individual erythrocyte norm of a general blood test and decipher the results of the analysis, because many factors affect the production and loss of erythrocytes. For example, during menstruation, a woman undergoes a natural loss of blood, so during this period, the level of red blood cells in the formula is lower. Or a person has been at a high altitude in the mountains with rarefied air for a certain time, so an increase in the level of red blood cells will be the norm for him.
Platelet count
Platelets are plates of blood fluid that do not have a nucleus. They are responsible for the clotting process. They can form a blood clot, which will provoke a cessation of blood circulation.
At a general sampling, the blood test norms for adults and children (platelet concentration) are the same: from 180 to 320 x 109 cells/l or from 1.4 to 3.4 g/l.
Elevated platelet count indicates trauma, malignancy, thrombocytopenia, and other diseases associated with clotting function. However, for blood tests, the norm and interpretation changes if a person has recently undergone surgery. In this case, an increase in platelets is the norm.
A low platelet count indicates chemical poisoning, an infection in the body, or leukemia (acute or chronic).
If the patient takes any medications during the test, he mustinform your doctor about this. Then the doctor will be able to take into account the influence of medications, predict the expected shift in the readings of the general blood test and decipher the results correctly.
Leukocyte norm
Leukocytes are white blood cells. They are responsible for immunity.
The norm of indicators directly depends on the age category:
- Up to a year norm from 6 to 17, 5 x 109 cells/L.
- 1 to 4 years - 5, 5 to 17 x 109 cells/l.
- From four to ten, the white blood cell count is 4.5 to 14.5 x 109 cells/l.
- Ten to sixteen - 4, 5 to 13 x 109 cells/l.
- After sixteen - 4 to 9 x 109 cells/l.
A low white blood cell count indicates a blood disorder, a viral infection, hepatitis, or decreased immunity after a course of medication.
An increase in the number of white blood cells indicates a bacterial infection or an internal or external hemorrhage.
The main "building material" of the immune system is lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are a type of leukocyte responsible for developed immunity and antimicrobial and antiviral control.
Norms of blood test results for lymphocytes as a percentage:
- In newborns - from 15 to 35%.
- Up to a year - from 22 to 70%.
- From one to five years - from 33 to 60%.
- From six tonine years - from 30 to 50%.
- From nine to fifteen - from 30 to 46%.
- From sixteen - from 20 to 40%.
If the number of lymphocytes in the blood is higher than normal, then this indicates the presence of a broad spectrum infection.
Low lymphocytes - kidney or immune failure, chronic disease, detection of adverse he alth corticosteroids.
What are monocytes
Monocytes are the largest white blood cells that have the ability to “move” into tissues and help absorb already dead cells and bacteria.
When taking a general blood test, the norm of monocytes is:
- In newborns - from 3 to 12%.
- In children under one year old - from 4 to 15%.
- From one to five years - from 3 to 10%.
- Six and older - from 3 to 9%.
If the monocytes in the body are more than normal, this indicates rheumatoid arthritis, syphilis, mononucleosis, tuberculosis and other infections.
Low levels observed while taking corticosteroid drugs or after surgery.
Hematocrit
Hematocrit reflects the volume of red cells in the blood. Calculated as a percentage:
- From birth to two weeks - 41 to 65%.
- From two weeks of age to four months, the norm ranges from 28 to 55%.
- From four months to a year - from 31 to 41%.
- From one to nine years - from 32 to 42%.
- From the age of nine to twelve - from 34 to 43%.
- From the age of twelve, the normdetermined, in addition to age, also by gender. From twelve to eighteen years old, boys have the norm from 35 to 48%, for girls - from 34 to 44%.
- From eighteen to sixty-five years for men, the norm is from 39 to 50%, for women - from 35 to 47%.
- After reaching the sixty-year age category for men - from 37 to 51%, for women - from 35 to 47%.
Elevated hematocrit indicates the presence of erythrocytosis (erythremia, hypoxia, kidney tumors, polycystic or hydronephrosis), a decrease in plasma volume (burn disease, peritonitis, etc.), dehydration, leukemia.
Low hematocrit indicates anemia, increased plasma volume (normal in pregnancy, especially after 4 months), overhydration.
Color index
The color indicator determines the concentration of hemoglobin in red cells, expresses the relative amount of hemoglobin per 1 erythrocyte.
The norm is the same for everyone: from 0.9 to 1.1 off-system units.
ESR
The ratio between plasma protein fractions is called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction. The test method is based on the ability, under conditions of deprivation of the ability of blood to coagulate, to settle under the influence of gravity in erythrocytes.
Regulations:
- For the female half of the population - from 2 to 15 mm/hour.
- For men - from 1 to 10 mm/hour.
Accelerating settling may be the result of the following reasons: acute and chronic infections,immunopathological diseases, heart attack, malignant tumors, pregnancy, taking certain medications (for example, salicylates), anemia, hypoproteinemia, menstrual periods in women, septicemia, leukemia, autoimmune diseases.
Deceleration of sedimentation indicates the following possible pathologies: hyperproteinemia, changes in the erythrocyte form, erythrocytosis, leukocytosis, DIC syndrome, hepatitis.
Basophiles
Segmentonuclear basophils are a subspecies of granulocytic leukocytes. Actively involved in an immediate allergic reaction (eg, anaphylactic shock). They also block poisons and prevent them from spreading throughout the body. Thanks to heparin, they are involved in the process of blood clotting. Their main goal is to mobilize the remaining granulocytes to the site of the focus of the inflammatory process.
Neutrophils
Segmented neutrophils are a subspecies of granulocytic leukocytes. They have the ability to phagocytosis (capture and digestion of solid particles). After this process, neutrophilic granulocytes die, releasing a huge amount of bio-substances that cause irreparable harm to bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, which in turn increase inflammation, and cause chemotaxis.
According to the regulations, mature neutrophils should be approximately 47-72% of the total number of leukocytes, and young - about 1-5%.
Eosinophils
Segmented eosinophils are another subtype of granulocytic leukocytes. They are able to penetrate far beyond the bloodvessels and their movement is directed mainly to the focus of inflammation or damaged tissue (chemotaxis). capable of phagocytosis. Their main function is the expression of Fc receptors, manifesting itself in cytotoxic properties and activation of antiparasitic immunity. But there is also a "reverse side of the coin" - an increase in E-class antibodies leads to an immediate allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock). But at the same time, eosinophilic granulocytes have the ability to absorb and bind histamine and a number of other mediators of allergic and inflammatory processes. It turns out that the role of eosinophils can be defined as anti-allergic and protective anti-allergic.
The norm is considered to be from 120 to 350 of this subspecies of granulocytes per 1 microliter.
The reason for the increased content of eosinophils in the blood can be:
- Allergic reaction (dermatitis, rhinitis, drug allergy, asthma, etc.).
- Infection by parasites (roundworm, giardia, trichinella, etc.).
- Tumor (lymphoma, acute and chronic leukemia, erythremia), especially if metastases and necrosis have already formed.
- Immunodeficiency (may be due to Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
- Tissue diseases (arthritis, periarteritis).
Reduced content of eosinophils as a result of a blood test indicates the beginning of an infectious and toxic process. If such a result is obtained after surgery, the patient's condition is very serious.
Reticulocytes
Reticulocytes are the precursors of red blood cells - erythrocytes. The function of reticulocytes is similar to that of erythrocytes, but compared to the latter, they are less effective.
Regulatory indicators:
- In newborns - up to 10%.
- Children have 2-6%.
- Adults - 0.5-2%.
If we consider the norm and interpretation of the results of a general blood test, then a high percentage indicates a possible anemia or blood loss. The amount below the norm indicates the effects of chemotherapy, aplastic anemia, vitamin B deficiency12, malignant diseases of the bone marrow, low production of erythropoietin, folic acid or iron deficiency, etc.
