The appearance of any malfunctions in the body is an occasion 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 (UAC), because it gives an idea of the state of the organism as a whole.
What will the clinical blood test show?
If there is an inflammatory process somewhere or deviations from the basic norms occur, this will be clear from the results.
A clinical blood test is the most common of all studies. It can be done at any clinic, paid medical center or hospital. It is affordable and very informative, it makes it possible to reduce the range of further tests and examinations and focus on well-defined diseases.
What is investigated during the KLA?
So, what does a clinical blood test show ? This analysis reveals whether the functioning, integrity and number of blood cells are normal, and also gives an idea of other basic parameters:
- Red blood cells are responsible for maintaining the optimal level of oxygen in the bloodstream.
- Platelets give 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 blood clots on the venous walls.
- White blood cells 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 shows the ratio of blood cells to its plasma. Therefore, a clinical blood test is so important.
- ESR - an indicator of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, directly indicates whether an inflammatory process is occurring in the body. It is studied with the addition of anticoagulants - substances that prevent blood coagulation.
- Leukocyte formula - counting all types of white blood cells and the ratio of each of them to the total number, expressed as a percentage.
- The hemoglobin content, which determines the density of blood. A low concentration of this substance is characteristic of anemia of various etiologies, and a large concentration is characteristic of blood, which tends to thicken, or a tumor caused by too fast multiplication of red blood cells.
- A blood color indicator indicates whether hemoglobin is sufficient in red blood cells.
Clinical analysis of blood in adults
It should be borne in mind that in childhood, normal indicators differ, therefore, deciphering children's UAC, you can not rely on the data of ordinary tables. For men and women, the norms are also slightly different.
Deviation to a greater or lesser side clearly indicates the presence of pathological processes in the body. An experienced doctor can make an initial diagnosis based on the nature of complaints and the result of a clinical blood test, which, however, must be clarified. Here is such an informative clinical blood test. We will consider 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 of the body.
The numbers below the norm indicate:
- microelement deficiency of iron;
- anemia;
- excessive saturation of blood cells with moisture (overhydration).
All this can reveal a clinical blood test. Decryption is carried out by specialists.
Red blood cells
Red blood cells should show 4-5x10 12 / L in males and 3.7-4.7x10 12 / L in females. Excess is usually caused by:
- oncological diseases;
- the appointment of corticosteroids and steroid drugs;
- Cushing's syndrome (illness);
- polycystic kidney disease;
- severe burns, upset stomach and loose stools, or diuretics give a slight increase in red blood cells.
A small number of red blood cells is usually observed with:
- pregnancy
- bleeding
- hyperhydration;
- anemia
- the destruction of these blood cells and the low rate of formation of new ones in the red bone marrow.
White blood cells
This is the information that the clinical blood test gives.
White blood cells and their norm is one for men and women: 4-9x10 9 / l. Causes of leukocytosis:
- a sharp course of inflammatory and purulent processes, blood poisoning ;
- diseases that cause various pathogens of infection;
- malignant neoplasms;
- condition after a heart attack;
- the final three months of gestation;
- tissue injuries;
- lactation period;
- heavy physical activity.
Leukopenia occurs for the following reasons:
- consequences of radiation exposure;
- anaphylactic shock;
- bone marrow hypoplasia or aplasia;
- Addison-Birmer disease;
- viral infection;
- typhoid fever;
- changes in connective tissue fibers of various origins.
All this will show the result of a clinical blood test.
Platelets
The platelet count is also the same for both sexes - 180-320x10 9 / L. Since they are responsible for blood coagulation and are capable of sticking together, their increase suggests:
- 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;
- the consequences of prescribing many drugs.
Thrombocytopenia is characteristic of:
- autoimmune diseases;
- hepatitis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- lymphogranulomatosis;
- hemolytic diseases.
A clinical blood test is available to identify all of these diseases. Deciphering it does not take much time.
ESR
ESR has a wide range of indicators, from 1 to 15 mm / hour, for different ages and gender, its own ESR is characteristic. Exceeding the norm occurs when:
- infections and inflammatory processes;
- diseases of the liver and kidneys;
- violations in the endocrine system;
- after fractures and operations;
- menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- anemia of various origins;
- collagenosis.
A low ESR may indicate:
- increased production of bile;
- a problem with insufficient blood supply to organs and tissues;
- increased bilirubin in the blood serum;
- delayed coagulation and blood thinning, the formation of defective clots, unable to completely prevent bleeding.
A hematocrit that falls 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.
In the leukocyte formula, the correct percentage ratio of all 5 types of leukocytes to their total number must be present:
- eosinophils: 1-5%, destroy allergens that enter the body;
- stab neutrophils - 1-6%, and segmented - 47-72%, cleanse the blood from a bacterial infection and protect the body from getting it;
- 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%, they support immunity, protect against diseases associated with a drop in immunity, form an immune response.
The norm of the color indicator is 0.85-1.15. Increases if:
- lack of folic acid and vitamin B12;
- oncology develops;
- there are polyps in the stomach.
Reduced if iron deficiency anemia and pregnant anemia are diagnosed.
In addition, if necessary, a coagulability test, that is, a coagulogram, which also includes the duration of bleeding, can be performed. Now it’s clear what the clinical blood test will show.
How to prepare for the KLA?
Clinical analysis should be taken strictly on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning before breakfast. In extreme cases, you can eat no later than 2 hours before. The day before, you can not drink alcohol, spicy, acidic and fatty foods, because of which the blood serum becomes chylous, that is, cloudy, the allocation of components is 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 making a fence from a vein. If you want to pass several repeated tests, then it is advisable to carry them out at the same time, since during the day the indicators can change.
Conclusion
KLA can help detect various diseases at an early stage. Therefore, for prevention, it is worth taking it at least once a year. In old and childhood, when it is especially necessary to carefully take care of the state of health, it is better to do this every six months. This is what a clinical blood test will show.