Blood performs several essential functions in the body. Therefore, when passing the examination, its indicators are evaluated first. If abnormalities are found, the doctor can determine a number of diseases. The effectiveness of treatment in the future depends on the timeliness of diagnosis. There are many indicators of blood. We will discuss them further.
general characteristics
Blood counts are studied during various tests. The most common of these are two diagnostic methods. These are general (clinical) and biochemical analyzes. Such studies allow us to draw a conclusion about the state of human health. Therefore, they are prescribed primarily for preventive and diagnostic purposes.
A general blood test is included in the list of mandatory studies during professional examinations, as well as when visiting different doctors when certain complaints and symptoms appear. Biochemistry is carried out in order to detect a special range of pathologies.
Blood for the study is taken from the finger or from a vein. If you want to undergo an initial general analysis, you can come to the procedure on an empty stomach. However, the study is not always carried out as a preventive measure. More often, the range of indicators that are studied in the laboratory is quite wide. In this case, you need to come to the analysis on an empty stomach. Otherwise, it will not be possible to obtain a reliable result.
This condition is mandatory when undergoing biochemical analysis. If in the morning you drink even just a cup of tea with sugar, you can get a result in which there will be increased blood counts in some categories. You should also take an analysis after a short rest. Under physical stress, some parameters of the test material may change.
Also take into account at what time the analysis is carried out, in what condition the person is. So, for example, for pregnant women, completely different norm indicators are used. Also, in children and adults, the result of the study can be very different. In women, during menstruation, ESR levels may increase, and platelet counts may decrease. This is the norm in this situation. Therefore, you need to take tests correctly.
Clinical analysis
A general blood test, the indicators of which are often of great importance in the diagnosis, includes a study of several mandatory exhibitors. They must comply with established standards. Otherwise, we can assume the development of a particular pathology. Such a diagnosis allows you to determine whether there are hostile bacteria, viruses and microbes in the body, how the immune system works. At the same time, hormonal levels, enzymes are also evaluated. The study assesses the physical and chemical state of the blood.
This examination is all patients of a medical institution who seek help. Also, this procedure is required during the examination. This approach is simple and informative. The presented analysis involves most often taking material for research from the finger. Less often, blood from a vein is required.
During the diagnosis, reactions to possible allergens, drugs are detected. This will eliminate the inappropriate medications and components. However, a final diagnosis will require a series of additional examinations.
General blood counts are compared with established standards. In this case, the patientβs age, gender and general condition are taken into account during the study. If some characteristics of the material taken deviate from the ideal level, it will be necessary to identify the cause of this phenomenon. You may need to retake the analysis. But most often, the doctor prescribes a set of additional tests that can show which factor influenced the appearance of deviations.
Biochemistry
Blood biochemical parameters are also used in the diagnosis of various diseases. A similar examination is prescribed by medical specialists of various profiles. The list of indicators of this diagnostic method is extensive. This research method allows you to determine whether the internal organs of a person are functioning properly. Also, with its help, it is possible to establish the need for vitamins and minerals, as well as assess the level of enzymes, hormones, and identify pathologies of metabolic processes.
Blood biochemistry is prescribed in cases of suspected development of diseases of almost all internal organs. A particular need for this analysis occurs during pregnancy. Biochemistry is carried out in the third and first trimesters. If there is toxicosis, adverse factors during pregnancy, the analysis is carried out more often.
Carrying out this type of diagnosis requires proper preparation. Since venous blood is taken, you need to come to the hospital on an empty stomach. Material for research is handed over in the interval 8: 00-11: 00. In the evening before the analysis and on the day of its conduct, you can drink clean water. Other drinks are not allowed. Also on the eve it is forbidden to eat heavy food. Dinner should be as light as possible. Fatty, fried, salty, sour, sweet should be excluded.
If the patient is taking any medication, he should inform his doctor about it. Some of them may affect the outcome of the study. Do not smoke for at least an hour before taking the test. During the day before the diagnosis, it is forbidden to drink alcohol in any quantities. You should also reduce physical activity before analysis. Before you enter the office, you need to calmly sit for 15-20 minutes. What blood parameters are examined during these examinations should be considered in detail.
Clinical Study Indicators
What blood counts are included in the list of clinical examinations? There is a list of mandatory characteristics that are considered in the laboratory. The most common ones are:
- red blood cells;
- hemoglobin;
- platelets;
- reticulocytes;
- ESR;
- white blood cells.
This analysis may also include a number of other indicators. However, the listed characteristics are mandatory.
Hemoglobin is indicated in the results by the Latin letters Hb. This is one of the most important components of the level of red blood cells. Its decrease indicates a lack of iron or certain vitamins in the body, and impaired synthesis. This deviation indicates the development of anemia. With a significant increase in the indicator, the doctor may suggest the presence of heart or pulmonary failure. To make the correct diagnosis, a number of other studies are performed. This indicator should be 120-140 g / l for women and 135-160 g / l for men.
Red blood cells perform a transport function (denoted by RBC). They deliver oxygen to all tissues. At the same time, moving in the opposite direction, they take carbon dioxide. Sometimes the causes of deviations from the norm are physiological factors. But in some cases, pathology causes them. Considering the norms of blood indicators, it should be said that in men this indicator should be at the level of 4-5.5 million in ΞΌl, and in women - 3.7-4.7 million in ΞΌl.
The number of red blood cells decreases with blood loss, improper production of their bone marrow. It can also be affected by vitamin deficiency, the wrong lifestyle. An increase in their number is observed in diseases of the heart, lungs or in the area of ββthe hematopoiesis system.
Reticulocytes
Normal blood counts are determined according to the age of the patient. So, one of the indispensable indicators in clinical analysis is the number of reticulocytes. These are young cells, which subsequently form the senior elements of the blood. They will become red blood cells. This indicator is indicated by the letters RTC.
They must be produced at a certain rate. Violations in this process indicate the development of pathologies in the region of the kidneys, bone marrow. In men, the number of such cells should be 0.24% -1.7% of the total. In women, reticulocytes should be between 0.12% and 2.05%.
With blood loss, the number of young cells may increase. It's quite normal. If similar conditions were not observed in the near future, an increase in the number of reticulocytes indicates the presence in the blood of harmful viruses, microorganisms that disrupt blood functions. A decrease in their number indicates impaired renal function, bone marrow.
ESR
Another important indicator is ESR (it is called ESR). This indicator in an adult should be up to 15 mm / hour. An increase in ESR indicates the presence in the body of the inflammatory process, blood loss or poisoning.
Also, during the diagnosis, a characteristic such as a color indicator is determined. It is denoted by MCHC. It characterizes the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin. The norm of this indicator is 30-370 g / l. An increase in the color index is not found. Lowering indicates a lack of iron.
White blood cells, platelets
Platelets in the blood are indicated by the Latin letters PLT. They stop bleeding, forming a blood clot. Normally, the presented blood counts in adults and children are 1.4-3.4 g / l, regardless of gender. If this indicator is increased, it indicates the presence of injury. Also, this indicator may indicate the development of a malignant tumor or other pathologies. It is considered normal if the platelet count is increased in a person who has undergone recent surgery.
A decrease in platelet count may indicate chemical poisoning of the body, the presence of infection, as well as leukemia. Some drugs can lower platelet counts. Therefore, you need to consult a doctor before conducting an analysis.
White blood cells are cells of the immune system. They struggle with various diseases, foreign tissues. Their number varies significantly with age. Blood counts for children in the context of this indicator will differ significantly from the results of studies in adults. The norm is determined for each age group, taking into account the gender. In general, this indicator is 4.5 * 109-10 * 109 per liter. If the indicator decreased, this indicates a decrease in the body's defense. A high number of white blood cells indicates the development of an infection in the body, high blood loss.
Lymphocytes
Another major component of the immune system are lymphocytes. These blood counts are also examined during a clinical analysis. They are identified by LYM in the analysis. In an adult, they are contained in the blood 1.2 * 109-3 * 109 per liter. With an increase in their number, the development of infection is diagnosed. A low indicator may indicate the development of renal failure, impaired immunity, and exhaustion of the body.
Leukocyte formula
Considering the norms of blood indicators, it is necessary to consider such an indicator as the ratio of the number of different types of white blood cells. These cells can perform certain functions. This ratio is called a leukocyte formula. Its use allows you to identify the development of infection, cancer and other pathologies.
The norm of neutrophils in the blood is from 50 to 70% of the total number of leukocytes. If the indicator has increased, this indicates the development of infection. It can be determined in the internal organs, in the respiratory tract. It may also indicate chronic metabolic disorders. A reduced number of neutrophils indicates the presence of some specific pathologies.
Eosinophils should be present in the blood of a healthy person in an amount of 1-5% of the total number of leukocytes. With an increase in this indicator, the doctor may suspect the presence of an allergic reaction, intestinal parasites and a number of other pathologies in the body. If their level has decreased, this may indicate heavy metal poisoning, the presence of inflammation.
Basophils are practically not detected in the blood. They make up only 0-0.5% of the total number of leukocytes. A number of specific diseases causes an increase in their level. Also, taking hormonal drugs, after removing the spleen, food allergies or ulcerative colitis can trigger the growth of this type of cell.
Monocytes are needed to absorb dead tissue and bacteria. Their increase indicates the development of tuberculosis, syphilis, rheumatoid arthritis and a number of other diseases. Lowering is also not the norm.
Biochemical parameters
Biochemical analysis includes a number of indicators. The main ones are glucose, total protein, bilirubin, creatinine.
Indicators of blood sugar indicate the proper functioning of the pancreas. Normally, this indicator is 3.5-6.5 mmol / L. An increase in the indicator indicates the development of diabetes. If a person ate before analysis, drank weak tea, the indicator may be higher than normal. Therefore, it is important to donate blood on an empty stomach. With a decrease in glucose levels, they speak of malnutrition or hormonal disorders.
The total protein should be in the range from 60 to 80 g / l. This indicator may decrease with impaired liver and kidney function, as well as with malnutrition. Especially often, such violations are found in people who are on a diet. If the nutrition is not balanced, various disorders appear.
Bilirubin should be no more than 20.5 mmol / L. This indicator reflects the quality of the liver. An increase in this indicator may indicate the development of hepatitis, as well as the presence of cholelithiasis. Also, this indicator increases with the acceleration of the death of red blood cells.
The normal creatinine level is 0.18 mmol / L. This indicator assesses the quality of kidney function. If the result is higher than normal, the patient is diagnosed with renal failure. With a decrease in this indicator, they speak of violations in the immune system. We need to reconsider the diet and lifestyle.
Having examined the main indicators of blood, their standards, you can evaluate the results of the examination. Diagnosis is carried out exclusively by a doctor.