Today, along with the emergence of new forms of diseases, there is a constant improvement of diagnostic methods and methods. The modern development of medicine as a science allows us to constantly improve the methods of examination and the treatment of pathological processes. There are new methods unknown until now. However, do not forget about the old and proven methods.
So, such an old and proven method as a general (which is the most common) blood test is often used in modern medical practice. Speaking about it, I would like to pay special attention to the study of white blood cells, which is a WBC blood test (the abbreviation translated into Russian is “white blood cells”).
WBC is an analysis of serum white blood cells . The absolute number of leukocytes is diagnosed.
The synthesis of white blood cell cells occurs in the lymph nodes and bone marrow. The main function of this type of blood cell is reduced to the formation of antibodies and, thus, is involved in the formation of immunity. Elements such as T-helpers, T-suppressors and T-killers (all T-lymphocytes) are an integral part of WBC. That is why the resistance of the formed immunity will basically be determined by the level of "white" cells.
A WBC blood test is a component of both general and biochemical analysis, which are represented by the leukocyte formula. By the way, the latter is more accurate and informative.
A WBC blood test allows you to analyze the state of the white blood cell formula. With a decrease in the level of leukocytes, a corresponding weakening of the activity of immune defense occurs. Most often, leukopenia is a sign of any infectious disease.
A WBC blood test allows you to determine not only the absolute number of leukocytes, but also their individual species (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils), as well as the ratio between them, which is often diagnostically significant information.
If there are suspicions of any disease, the presence of ailments themselves, or when conducting preventive examinations, diagnostic manipulation is mandatory - a blood test. Decoding WBC is carried out by counting blood cells.
Leukocytosis is an increase in the number of white blood cells. So an increase in the level of white blood cells may indicate an active inflammatory process, a complication of the current disease.
The absolute values of these results are more informative than relative indicators. A WBC blood test allows you to judge the condition of the patient, the activity of his immune system.
A significant increase in the level of leukocytes in comparison with the norm can often indicate the development of a tumor process. Diagnostically significant sign of a tumor is an increase in the blood picture of young and immature forms. In this case, they talk about a shift (shift) of the leukocyte blood count to the left (towards young and immature elements).
In the case of a decrease in the number of leukocytes, one can judge the level of toxic, radiation, infectious effects on the human body.
A decrease in the number of “white cells” in the blood, their presence in it in an amount less than the norm, is called leukopenia (as in the case of leukocytosis, this decrease in the indicator can be both absolute and relative).
Thus, a blood test is not only mandatory, but also a very informative diagnostic method, the use of which is today at a high level. Correct and competent interpretation (decoding) of the data obtained allows us to judge the state of the human body and identify developing pathological changes.