One of the first diagnostic procedures that the doctor assigns to us is a general blood test. Regardless of the reason for our address to a doctor of almost any specialty, we always do this analysis. The reason for this is that blood is one of the most important fluids in our body. It penetrates almost all organs and tissues. And immediately changes its composition in response to any violations in them.
The main indicators that are evaluated in a general blood test are:
- erythrocyte count
- hemoglobin concentration
- color index (CPU)
- hematocrit
- platelet count
- number of leukocytes
- leukocyte formula
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Erythrocytes
Or, as they are also called, red blood cells, are the main elements of our blood. Their number is normal in women and men is different. In women: 3,5 - 5,5, and in men: 4,5 - 5,5 trillion per liter of blood. A decrease in their number is called oligocytic anemia. It can occur as a result of impaired hematopoiesis or chronic blood loss.
Hemoglobin
This compound, which is contained in red blood cells and performs the most important function of blood - the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to other organs, and carbon dioxide into the lungs. Normally, the figure for women is 120-150, and for men: 130-160 grams per liter of blood. Low hemoglobin means that blood can not "bind" and deliver enough oxygen to the tissues. This is often the case with anemia.
Color metric
This is a value indicating the ratio of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, i.e. on how many red blood cells are filled with hemoglobin. Normally, the indicator is in the range of 0.85 - 1.05. A high color index may indicate a shortage of red blood cells at a normal level of hemoglobin. Then the erythrocytes turn out to be "overcrowded" with hemoglobin. This happens, for example, with folic and B-12 deficiency anemia. Reducing the color index indicates that the red blood cells are not completely filled with hemoglobin. This happens when there is a violation of hemoglobin production. For example, with iron deficiency anemia.
Hematocrit
This ratio between blood cells (shaped elements) and fluid (plasma). Normally, the hematocrit varies between 36 - 42% in women and 40 - 48% in men. The increase in the index is called hemoconcentration ("thickening" of the blood), and the decrease is called hemodilution ("dilution" of the blood).
Platelets
These blood cells are responsible for blood clotting in case of vascular damage. Normally, they contain 150 - 450 billion in a liter of blood. Reducing the number of platelets (thrombocytopenia) leads to a violation of blood clotting. And an increase can be a sign of a blood tumor.
Leukocytes
These cells perform very important blood functions, they provide immune protection. In healthy people, this indicator is in the range of 4 to 9 billion cells per liter of blood. A decrease in the white blood cell count indicates a violation of their production (this happens when the bone marrow is affected), and a rise - about an acute inflammatory disease. A significant increase in leukocytes (several dozens or hundreds) occurs with blood tumors.
Leukocyte formula
This is a set of indicators that reflect the percentage of each type of leukocyte. These or other deviations in the leukocyte formula indicate the features of the pathological process that takes place in the body. For example, if the content of neutrophils is increased, then we can talk about the bacterial nature of the disease, and if lymphocytes - about the virus. The increase in eosinophils indicates more often an allergic reaction, basophils - on blood tumors, and monocytes - on a chronic bacterial infection.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
This is the rate at which the red blood cells settle on the bottom of a test tube with blood. In a healthy man, it is from 1 to 10 mm / h, and in a woman: from 2 to 15 mm / h. An increase in the indicator most often indicates inflammation.
It should not be forgotten that it is impossible to diagnose correctly by blood analysis alone. For this, it is necessary to take into account a number of diagnostic data. In the aggregate, only a doctor can evaluate them correctly.