How to decipher a complete blood count: the rate of indicators

What is a complete blood count and why is it needed

Human blood consists of hundreds of components, each of which plays an important role in the functioning of the body as a whole. When we are healthy, they are in strict balance - their number and ratio with each other does not go beyond a certain norm. But if something goes wrong in the body, the balance is upset.

A general (clinical) blood test (CBC) is a quick and cheap way to catch the most obvious changes, if any. The results of the KLA will show whether you are healthy, and if you have problems with well-being, they will tell you what may be the reason.

A complete blood count (CBC) can determine anemia, inflammation in the body, allergic reactions, parasitic infections, leukemia and other diseases.

However, in order to draw a competent conclusion about the state of health, one must know what the numbers in the results of the UAC mean, and be able to interpret them correctly. It is best if your therapist takes care of it.

However, you can evaluate the results yourself. But if they deviate even slightly from the norm, a visit to the doctor is required. This is important in order not to miss a possible serious illness.

What a clinical blood test shows

KLA concentrates on the three main types of cells that make up blood. These are Blood Work Results:

leukocytes;
erythrocytes;
platelets.

Each group of cells has its own tasks.

What are leukocytes and why are they needed

Leukocytes (they are also white blood cells) are an important part of immunity. They help to identify, attack and remove pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and other foreign elements from the body. A complete blood count measures their number - this indicator is hidden behind the abbreviation WBC.

Leukocyte cells, in turn, are subdivided into five Blood differential test Information | Mount Sinai - New York bands. All together they are included in the so-called leukocyte formula.

Neutrophils … These cells make up 40-60% of the total number of leukocytes. They are the first to fight bacteria, enveloping and removing pathogenic "guests" from the blood.
Lymphocytes(20-40% of the total number of leukocytes). Lymphocytes are also divided into several types, and in general terms, their tasks are reduced to recognizing a pathogenic virus or microbe, destroying it and developing antibodies to infection.
Monocytes(2-8%). These are cells of innate immunity, which are able to pass from the blood to the tissues of the body. There they become macrophages - "orderlies", absorbing pathogenic microorganisms, including destroyed and dead cells. In addition, having “devoured”, for example, a pathogenic bacterium, a monocyte shows its distinctive features (antigens) to other cells of the immune system - and thus enhances immunity.
Eosinophils(1-4%). These white blood cells mainly fight parasitic infections.
Basophils (0.5-1%). This type of white blood cell is involved in the development of an allergic reaction.

What are red blood cells and why are they needed

Red blood cells are red blood cells whose job is to carry oxygen throughout the body and remove carbon dioxide. To assess the number and quality of red blood cells, there are specific Complete Blood Count (CBC) indicators, which are measured in a complete blood count.

Red blood cell count (RBC) … This indicator indicates the total number of red blood cells in the blood sample.
Hemoglobin (HGB, Hb) … Measures the total amount of oxygen-carrying protein, hemoglobin.
Hematocrit (HCT) … This is the name of the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume.

In addition to these key indicators, there are additional:

Mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) … Reports the size of the average red blood cell.
Average content of hemoglobin in erythrocyte (MCH) … Shows how much hemoglobin is on average in red blood cells.
Mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) … She is also a color indicator of blood. Provides information on how much red blood cells are saturated with hemoglobin. The more this protein, the brighter the red color of the cells.
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) … Allows you to find out how much the size of the smallest erythrocyte differs from the size of the largest.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; sometimes ROE - erythrocyte sedimentation rate) … Red blood cells are heavier than plasma, the liquid that is the basis of blood. Therefore, if you put the test tube with blood vertically, after a while the erythrocytes will go down. This is a normal process. But in inflammatory diseases, erythrocytes begin to stick together, and the rate of their sedimentation increases.

What are platelets and why are they needed

Platelets are cells that help blood clot. If a person is injured, the number of platelets increases, and a clot forms at the site of the scratch or cut - a thrombus. Thus, the body protects itself from blood loss.

In a general blood test, the state of such cells, as a rule, is assessed by platelet count (RLT) … This parameter tells about their total amount in the blood sample.

What are the norms of blood counts for KLA

Normal Complete blood count (CBC) results in adults look like this.

Index	Norm for men	Norm for women
Red blood cell count (RBC)	4, 35–5, 65 × 10¹² / l	3, 92-5, 13 × 10¹² / l
Hemoglobin (HGB, Hb)	132-166 g / l	116-150 g / l
Hematocrit (HCT)	38, 3–48, 6%	35, 5–44, 9%
Platelet count (RLT)	135-317 × 10⁹ / l	157–371 × 10⁹ / l
White blood cell count (WBC)	3, 4–9, 6 × 10⁹ / l	3, 4–9, 6 × 10⁹ / l

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) of the leukocyte formula is as follows:

Index	Norm
Neutrophils (absolute value)	1, 8–7, 8 × 10⁹ / l
Lymphocytes	1.0–4.8 × 10⁹ / l
Monocytes	0–0, 80 × 10⁹ / l
Eosinophils	0–0.45 × 10⁹ / l
Basophils	0–0.20 × 10⁹ / l

Additional indicators must correspond to the following values of Complete Blood Count (CBC), Sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) - Mayo Clinic, Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential, Blood:

Index	Norm
Mean erythrocyte volume (MCV)	80–96 fl
Average content of hemoglobin in erythrocyte (MCH)	27, 5–33, 2 pg
Blood color index (MCHC)	334–355 g / l
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW)	11, 8–14, 5%
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)	0-22 mm / hour for men and 0-29 mm / hour for women.

How to decipher a complete blood count

To understand how the body feels, it is enough to compare the indicators obtained during the analysis with the norm. If they do not go beyond the limits, then, most likely, nothing threatens your health. If any of the parameters is increased or decreased, this is an alarming symptom.

Some of the CBC results can be roughly (not exactly!) Deciphered as Complete Blood Count (CBC).

Increased leukocytes … This means Complete Blood Count (CBC) that the body is most likely fighting infection or inflammation. You can guess what exactly we are talking about by the leukocyte formula. For example, high levels of Neutrophilic Leukocytosis neutrophils and Lymphocytosis lymphocytes indicate the likelihood of a viral or bacterial infection. An increase in eosinophils suggests the presence of parasites. Basophilov - food or contact allergies. White blood cell count also rises with certain bone marrow diseases, immune system disorders, or certain medications.
Decreased leukocytes … This is a sign of Low white blood cell count Causes - Mayo Clinic that the immune system is depressed for some reason. Perhaps we are talking about a lack of vitamins, an autoimmune disease, disruption of the bone marrow, severe infections such as tuberculosis, HIV / AIDS, or another condition that reduces the efficiency of the immune system.
Erythrocytes and hemoglobin increased … This happens with dehydration, lung diseases, tumors.
Decreased erythrocytes and hemoglobin … This is most often a sign of anemia caused by a lack of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid in the diet. But red blood cell levels also decrease with bleeding, chronic inflammatory disease, or bone marrow damage.
Increased platelets … This indicates possible anemia, autoimmune or cancer. The platelet count also increases after an injury or surgery, as well as with internal bleeding.
Lowered platelets … This happens with viral infections (mononucleosis, measles, hepatitis), cirrhosis, autoimmune disorders. Or even after taking certain medications, including paracetamol.

What to do if the CBC is abnormal

Please note: self-decoding is by no means a diagnosis. And even more so not a reason to start self-medication.

Only a doctor can correctly decipher a general blood test.

For the reason that it is worth considering the results of the CBC only in conjunction with additional symptoms and information about the lifestyle, heredity, and chronic diseases of the patient. To bring all the data together is within the power of only a qualified physician - a therapist or a specialized specialist observing you.

If the doctor suspects any disease, the CBC will not be enough to make a diagnosis. You will be offered to undergo additional studies, for example, a biochemical blood test, an X-ray or an ultrasound scan. Only after receiving a complete picture of your condition, the physician will be able to diagnose and prescribe treatment.