👓 🏯 🚶 Blood test: norm and interpretation of the results 🧒🏼 🤺 ⚗️

The main diagnostic method for 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 abnormalities in the early stages, which will allow the doctor to prescribe treatment at the beginning of the formation of the disease. The norm and decoding of the general blood test are a very important step for monitoring the general condition of the body.

Clinical General Analysis

The most common and necessary test, of course, is a clinical general blood test. 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 health status.

Blood for such a study in the laboratory is taken from a finger or vein, as directed by a doctor.

Reasons for Assigning a General Analysis

This type of analysis is prescribed for each patient who has applied for help to a specialized medical institution. Such an analysis makes it possible to comprehensively consider the patient’s health status, 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 immunity of the patient.
The behavior of hormones and enzymes in the body.
The presence of hostile microorganisms.
Physical and chemical state of blood.

How to prepare for the analysis

They give a blood sample mainly in the morning. Before this procedure, any consumption of food and water for at least four hours is prohibited.

Indicators

During the analysis, no more than 24 parameters can be investigated to date. The main indicators are:

HGB is an erythrocyte pigment called hemoglobin.
RBC is the number of red blood cells.
PLT is the platelet count.
WBC - white blood cell count.
LYM - lymphocytes.
MID - monocytes.
HCT - hematocrit level.
CPU - a measure of color.
ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Basophils are granulocytes (leukocytes) basophilic.
Neutrophils - neutrophilic granulocytes.
Eosinophils are eosinophilic granulocytes.
Reticulocytes are precursors of red blood cells.
How much on average is hemoglobin concentrated in red blood cells.
What is the average hemoglobin content in red bodies?
The erythrocyte volume is on average.
Erythrocyte distribution depending on size.

Erythrocyte 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 in age and depend on gender, are calculated in g / l:

The norm of 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 twelve years to adulthood, indicators for girls vary from 115 to 153, for boys - from 120 to 166.
The blood test norm for women aged eighteen to sixty five is from 117 to 160, for men - from 132 to 172.
After the onset of sixty-five years, 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 a transcript of the results may indicate a problem in the body.

A low level of hemoglobin indicates a lack of iron necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin and vitamin B ₁₂ . 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 - Red Blood Cells

Since hemoglobin is part of the red blood cells, the erythrocyte mission is similar to the function of hemoglobin. The blood test norm in adults and children is different. The result is distinguished by gender from the age of twelve:

At the time of birth, an ideal figure from 3.9 to 5.5 x 10 ¹² .
In the first three days of life, the norm of a blood test is from 4 to 6.6 x 10 ¹² .
The first crescent - from 3.6 to 6.3 x 10 ¹² .
From three weeks to three months - from 3 to 5.4 x 10 ¹² .
From three months to two years - from 3.1 to 5.3 x 10 ¹² .
From two years to twelve - from 3.9 to 5.3 x 10 ¹² .
From twelve to adulthood, for boys, the norm is from 4.5 to 5.3 x 10 ¹² , for girls from 4.1 to 5.1 x 10 ¹² .
For adult men - from 4 to 5 x 10 ¹² , for women - from 3.5 to 4.7 x 10 ¹² .

A decrease in red blood cells indicates a deficiency of vitamin B ₁₂ , and an increase indicates problems in the blood formation system, respiration, or the heart and blood vessels.

Deviation from the established norm does not necessarily indicate the appearance of the disease. The generally accepted standards are listed above, but only an expert should establish an individual red blood cell norm for a general blood test and decipher the results of the analysis, because many factors affect the production and loss of red blood cells. For example, during menstruation, a woman undergoes a natural loss of blood, therefore, during this period, the level of red blood cells in the formula is lower. Or a person for a certain time was at a high altitude in the mountains with rarefied air, therefore, for him, an increase in the level of red blood cells will be the norm.

Platelet count

Platelets are blood platelets that do not have a nucleus. They are responsible for the coagulation process. They can form a blood clot, which will provoke a cessation of blood circulation.

With a general sampling, the norms of blood tests in adults and children (platelet concentration) are the same: from 180 to 320 x 10 ⁹ cells / l or from 1.4 to 3.4 g / l.

An elevated platelet count indicates an injury, a malignant tumor, thrombocytopenia, and other diseases associated with coagulation. However, for blood tests, the norm and decoding changes if a person has recently undergone surgery. In this case, an increase in platelets is the norm.

A decrease in platelet count indicates chemical poisoning, infection in the body or leukemia (acute or chronic form).

If during the test the patient takes any medications, then he is obliged to inform his attending physician about this. Then the doctor will be able to take into account the effect of medications, predict the expected shift in the readings of the norm of the general blood test and decode the results correctly.

White blood cell count

White blood cells are called white blood cells. They are responsible for immunity.

The norm of indicators directly depends on the age category:

Up to a year, the norm is from 6 to 17.5 x 10 ⁹ cells / liter.
From one to four years, from 5.5 to 17 x 10 ⁹ cells / liter.
From four to ten, the norm of a blood test relative to white blood cells is from 4.5 to 14.5 x 10 ⁹ cells / L.
From ten to sixteen - from 4.5 to 13 x 10 ⁹ cells / liter.
After sixteen - from 4 to 9 x 10 ⁹ cells / liter.

A reduced number of white blood cells in the body indicates a blood disease, a viral infection, hepatitis or a decrease in immunity after a course of taking medications.

An increase in the number of white blood cells indicates a bacterial infection or internal or external hemorrhage.

The main "building material" of the immune system is lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells that is responsible for the developed immunity and antimicrobial and antiviral struggle.

The norms of the results of a blood test for lymphocytes in a percentage ratio:

In newborns, from 15 to 35%.
Up to a year - from 22 to 70%.
From a year to five years - from 33 to 60%.
From six to nine years old - 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 wide spectrum infection.

Few lymphocytes - renal or immune deficiency, chronic disease, detection of corticosteroids adversely affecting health.

What are monocytes

Monocytes are the largest leukocytes that have the ability to "move" into tissues and help to absorb dead cells and bacteria.

When passing a general blood test, the norm of monocytes is:

In newborns - from 3 to 12%.
In children up to a year - from 4 to 15%.
From a year to five years - from 3 to 10%.
From 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 are observed with corticosteroid drugs or after surgery.

Hematocrit

The hematocrit reflects the volume of red bodies in the blood. It is calculated as a percentage:

From the moment of birth to two weeks - from 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 a year to nine years - from 32 to 42%.
From nine to twelve years old - from 34 to 43%.
From the age of twelve, the norm is determined, in addition to age, also by gender. From twelve to eighteen years old, the norm for boys is 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 age of sixty, in men - from 37 to 51%, in women - from 35 to 47%.

An increased level of hematocrit indicates the presence of erythrocytosis (erythremia, hypoxia, kidney tumors, polycystic or hydronephrosis), a decrease in plasma volume (burn disease, peritonitis, etc.), dehydration, leukemia.

A reduced hematocrit indicates anemia, an increased plasma volume (normal during pregnancy, especially after 4 months), and hyperhydration.

Color indicator

The color index determines the concentration of hemoglobin in the red bodies, 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 the fractions of plasma proteins is called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction . The testing 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 red blood cells.

The established norms:

For the female half of the population - from 2 to 15 mm / hour.
For men - from 1 to 10 mm / hour.

Acceleration of subsidence can be the result of the following reasons: acute and chronic infections, immunopathological diseases, heart attack, malignant tumors, pregnancy, taking certain medications (e.g. salicylates), anemia, hypoproteinemia, menstrual periods in women, septis, leukemia, autoimmune diseases.

Slowing down of sedimentation indicates the following possible pathologies: hyperproteinemia, changes in the erythrocyte form, erythrocytosis, leukocytosis, DIC, hepatitis.

Basophils

Segmented basophils are a subspecies of granulocytic leukocytes. Actively involved in an immediate allergic reaction (for example, 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 coagulation. 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 leukocytes of granulocytic type. They have the ability to phagocytosis (capture and digestion of solid particles). After this process, neutrophilic granulocytes die off, releasing a huge amount of biosubstances that cause irreparable harm to bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, which in turn enhance inflammatory processes, and cause chemotaxis.

According to the standards, about 47-72% of the total number of leukocytes should be mature neutrophils, and about 1-5% of young neutrophils.

Eosinophils

Segmented eosinophils are another subspecies of granulocytic leukocytes. They are able to penetrate far beyond the borders of blood vessels 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 themselves 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.

Indicators from 120 to 350 of this subspecies of granulocytes per 1 microliter are considered to be the norm.

The reason for the high content of eosinophils in the blood can be:

Allergic reaction (dermatitis, rhinitis, allergy to medicines, asthma, etc.).
Defeat by parasites (roundworms, giardia, trichinella, etc.).
A tumor (lymphoma, acute and chronic leukemia, erythremia), especially if metastases and necrosis have already formed.
Immunodeficiency (may be with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
Tissue diseases (arthritis, periarteritis).

A reduced eosinophil count as a result of a blood test indicates the onset 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 - red blood cells. The function of reticulocytes is similar to that of red blood cells, but compared with the latter, they are less effective.

Regulatory indicators:

In newborns - up to 10%.
In children - 2-6%.
In adults, 0.5-2%.

If we consider the norm and decoding of the results of a general blood test, then a high percentage indicates a possible anemia or blood loss. An amount below the norm indicates the effects of chemotherapy, aplastic anemia, vitamin B ₁₂ deficiency, malignant bone marrow diseases, low erythropoietin production, folic acid or iron deficiency, etc.

Blood test: norm and interpretation of the results