The appearance of any problems in the body is a reason to contact a therapist. And usually the first thing the doctor starts the examination with is the referral for a clinical blood test. It is also called general (OAK) because it gives an idea of the state of the body as a whole.
What will a clinical blood test show?
If there is an inflammatory process somewhere or there are deviations from the basic norms, this will be clear from the results.
CBC is the most common of all tests. It can be done at any clinic, paid medical center or hospital. It is affordable and very informative, making it possible to reduce the range of further tests and examinations and focus on well-defined diseases.
What is the UAC researching?
So, what will the clinical analysis of blood show? This analysis reveals whether the functioning, integrity and number of blood cells are normal, as well asgives an idea of other basic parameters:
- Red blood cells are responsible for maintaining optimal levels of oxygen in the bloodstream.
- Platelets give the blood the ability to clot and prevent bleeding. If they are less than normal, there is a high risk of bleeding, if more - there is a process of formation of blood clots on the venous walls.
- Leukocytes form the human immune system, so an increase in their number indicates a decrease in immunity, the presence of inflammation, or a disease of the circulatory system such as leukemia.
- Hematocrit measures the ratio of blood cells to its plasma. This is why a clinical blood test is so important.
- ESR - an indicator of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, directly shows whether there is an inflammatory process in the body. Investigated with the addition of anticoagulants - substances that prevent blood clotting.
- Leukocyte formula - counting all types of leukocytes and the ratio of each of them to the total number, expressed as a percentage.
- The content of hemoglobin, which determines the density of the blood. A low concentration of this substance is typical for anemia of various etiologies, a large one for blood that tends to thicken, or a tumor caused by too rapid reproduction of red blood cells.
- The blood color indicator shows whether there is enough hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Norms of a clinical blood test in adults
It should be noted that in childhood, normal indicators differ, thereforewhen deciphering a children's UAC, one cannot be guided by the data of ordinary tables. For men and women, the norms are also slightly different.
Deviation up or down clearly indicates the presence of pathological processes in the body. An experienced doctor, by the nature of complaints and the result of a clinical blood test, can make a primary diagnosis, which, however, must be clarified. Here is such an informative clinical blood test. Let's look at the indicators in more detail.
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin has normal values of 135-160 g/l for men and 120-140 g/l for women. If it is higher than these numbers, we can assume:
- erythremia;
- dehydration.
Numbers below the norm indicate:
- lack of trace element iron;
- anemia;
- excessive saturation of blood cells with moisture (hyperhydration).
All this can be revealed by a clinical blood test. Its decryption is carried out by specialists.
Erythrocytes
RBCs should show 4-5x1012/l in males and 3, 7-4, 7x1012/l - female. Excess is usually called:
- oncological diseases;
- prescribing corticosteroids and steroid drugs;
- Cushing's syndrome (disease);
- polycystic kidney disease;
- Severe burn, indigestion and loose stools, or diuretics give a slight increase in red blood cells.
Small quantityerythrocytes are usually observed at:
- pregnancy;
- bleeding;
- hyperhydration;
- anemia;
- destruction of these blood cells and low rate of formation of new ones in the red bone marrow.
Leukocytes
This is exactly the information that a clinical blood test gives.
Leukocytes and their norm is the same for men and women: 4-9x109/l. Causes of leukocytosis:
- a sharp course of inflammatory and purulent processes, blood poisoning;
- diseases caused by various infectious agents;
- malignant neoplasms;
- state after a heart attack;
- last three months of gestation;
- tissue injury;
- lactation;
- hard physical activity.
Leukopenia occurs for the following reasons:
- consequences of radiation exposure;
- anaphylactic shock;
- hypoplasia or aplasia of the bone marrow;
- Addison-Birmer disease;
- viral infection;
- typhoid;
- changes in connective tissue fibers of various origins.
The result of a clinical blood test will show all this.
Platelets
The number of platelets is also the same for both sexes - 180-320x109/l. Since they are responsible for blood clotting and are able to stick together with each other, their increasesuggests:
- oncology;
- recent surgery or bleeding;
- diseases of the circulatory system;
- chronic ailments at the stage of exacerbation, in particular diseases of the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver;
- infectious diseases and viruses;
- consequences of prescribing many drugs.
Thrombocytopenia is typical for:
- autoimmune diseases;
- hepatitis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- lymphogranulomatosis;
- hemolytic diseases.
To detect all these diseases, there is a clinical blood test. It doesn't take long to decrypt it.
ESR
ESR has a wide range of indicators, from 1 to 15 mm / h, for different ages, as well as gender, their own ESR is characteristic. Exceeding the norm occurs when:
- infections and inflammatory processes;
- diseases of the liver and kidneys;
- disturbances in the endocrine system;
- after fractures and operations;
- menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- anemia of various origins;
- collagenose.
Low ESR can indicate:
- increased bile production;
- problem with insufficient blood supply to organs and tissues;
- increased serum bilirubin;
- delayed clotting and thinning of the blood, the formation of defective clots, unable to completely preventbleeding.
Hematocrit outside the range of 0, 39-0, 49, indicates a lack of iron in the body, the development of anemia and diseases of this kind.
The leukocyte formula must contain the correct percentage of all 5 types of leukocytes to their total number:
- eosinophils: 1-5%, destroy ingested allergens;
- stab neutrophils - 1-6%, and segmented - 47-72%, clean the blood from bacterial infection and protect the body from its ingress;
- basophils: 0-1%, help white blood cells recognize foreign particles and neutralize inflammation;
- monocytes: 3-9%, remove dead and destroyed cells, bacteria, pairs of antigens with antibodies;
- lymphocytes: 19-40%, support immunity, protect against diseases associated with a drop in immunity, form an immune response.
The norm of the color index is 0.85-1.15. Increases if:
- not enough folic acid and vitamin B12;
- oncology develops;
- there are polyps in the stomach.
Decreased if anemia with iron deficiency and anemia of pregnancy is diagnosed.
In addition, if necessary, you can conduct a coagulation test, that is, a coagulogram, which also includes the duration of bleeding. Now it’s clear what a clinical blood test will show.
How to prepare for the UAC?
Clinical analysis should be taken strictly on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning beforebreakfast. In extreme cases, you can eat no later than 2 hours before. On the eve, you should not drink alcohol, spicy, sour and fatty foods, due to which the blood serum becomes chylous, that is, cloudy, the selection of components will be difficult.
Usually blood is taken from the finger, the hand is not important, but the ring finger is needed. However, in some cases, the doctor recommends taking a vein. If you need to pass several re-tests, then it is advisable to conduct them at the same time, since the indicators may change during the day.
Conclusion
OAC can help identify various diseases at an early stage. Therefore, for prevention purposes, it is worth taking it at least once a year. In the elderly and childhood, when it is especially necessary to carefully take care of the state of he alth, it is better to do this every six months. This is what a clinical blood test will show.
