Under the designation GRA in a blood test refers to cells such as granulocytes. These are components of fluid connective tissue related to white blood cells. It is important to know that GRAs in a blood test are cells whose presence is normal. But both an increase and a decrease in the level of granulocytes may indicate the development of a pathological process in the body. The following are indications for analysis, the features of preparation for the study, the interpretation of the obtained values and treatment.
Granulocytes: concept
All white blood cells are divided into 2 large groups. The first are agranulocytes, the second are granulocytes. The latter are those that have grit. Agranulocytes, respectively, are deprived of it.
Granulocytes have a nucleus divided into several segments. Moreover, it is irregular in shape. Cells are formed in the bone marrow and make up up to 70% of all white blood cells. The life cycle of granulocytes is from 3 to 10 days. After a few days, they die. They are replaced by new cells.
Granulocytes are a collective term. These cells include eosinophils, basophils and neutrophils.
Despite the fact that they are united in one group, they are responsible for the performance of their specific functions. Eosinophils are cells that carry out cytotoxic activity. In other words, they contribute to the destruction and elimination of parasites from the body. Eosinophils are cells that are also able to reduce the severity of an allergic reaction. Moreover, they can become a provoking factor to its development.
The main task of basophils is to launch an allergic reaction of an immediate type. They are also able to attract other granulocytes to the area of the pathological focus. Basophils also increase vascular permeability, improve blood circulation and lymphatic fluid flow, and regulate coagulation of fluid connective tissue.
Neutrophils are cells that have the ability to move freely throughout the body. They easily leave blood vessels and move to the pathological zone. These cells are also able to destroy fungi and bacteria. With the development of the inflammatory process, neutrophils absorb pathogenic microorganisms, but at the same time they die, releasing biologically active substances. The latter, in turn, stop the inflammatory process.
Indications for the study
Doctors do not prescribe a separate GRA blood test to patients. This is an indicator that is displayed in the conclusion after a clinical study of fluid connective tissue.
A general blood test is prescribed in all cases when it is necessary to diagnose a person’s state of health. With the help of the study, it is possible to identify the presence of inflammatory processes in the body at the early stages of their development. In addition, with the help of the analysis, the doctor assesses the degree of effectiveness of the treatment and, if necessary, makes adjustments to the treatment regimen.
Preparation
The biomaterial is taken in the morning. Blood must be taken on an empty stomach. The last meal should take place 8-10 hours before the delivery of liquid connective tissue. At the same time, on the eve it is recommended to exclude fatty, fried, smoked, spicy and salty dishes from the diet.
In addition, it is undesirable to expose the body to high-intensity physical activity per day. This is due to the fact that overvoltage can distort the results of a blood test (the GRA indicator will also change with a high degree of probability).
Immediately before the delivery of the biomaterial, it is recommended to sit quietly for about 15 minutes. Psycho-emotional stress is also a factor that can distort the results.
Blood sampling algorithm
The biological material, as a rule, is capillary liquid connective tissue.
Blood sampling algorithm:
- The nurse abundantly moistens the cotton wool in an antiseptic solution and treats them with the pad of the ring finger of the left or right hand. For this purpose, a disposable alcohol wipe can also be used.
- The intended puncture site is wiped with sterile, dry material.
- The nurse removes a disposable needle or vacuum instrument from the packaging for the collection of capillary blood.
- The specialist makes a puncture with a quick movement. The first few drops are wiped with a napkin or cotton wool soaked in an antiseptic. The rest are going to tools.
- After receiving enough capillary blood, the nurse presses an alcohol napkin or cotton wool to the puncture site.
It is important to keep the attached material with an antiseptic for a few more minutes. Slight pain may persist at the puncture site for several hours.
GRA in a blood test: normal values
Only the doctor can correctly decipher the result of the study. This is due to the fact that on the basis of an increase or decrease in the number of any cells, it is impossible to assert with guarantee the presence of pathology. If you suspect the development of the disease, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. With the help of analysis, it is only possible to suspect the course of the pathological process.
It is important to understand that granulocytes are cells that must be present in the body of every person. Norm indicators directly depend on the person's age:
- 12 months - 31%;
- up to 10 years - 51-53%;
- 10-16 years old - 53-57%;
- 16-21 years old - 59%.
In children just born, the level of granulocytes should be 35%. In adult women and men, the norm is 47-72%. Some laboratories use other units. In adults, the norm of granulocytes is 1.2-6.8 x 10 9 (in 1 liter of blood).
It is important to remember that granulocytes are a group of cells that contains several functional units. When decoding the study, it is necessary to pay attention to their indicators.
GRA norm in blood test:
- Basophils. In children under 12 months of age, their level should be at least 0.4% and not more than 0.9%. In adolescents and adults, the norm is 0.6-1%.
- Eosinophils. The level of these cells directly depends on the degree of functioning of the adrenal glands. The norm is 120-350 (in 1 ml of blood). In the morning, their level can be increased by 15%, at night (in its first half) - up to 30%.
- Neutrophils. These cells are divided into stab and segmented. The number of the first should not exceed 6%. The norm for segmented neutrophils is 40-70%.
As a rule, if granulocytes are increased or decreased, this means that a pathological process develops in the body. However, sometimes deviation of indicators from the norm can occur for physiological reasons. In women, granulocytes are elevated before menstruation, in the third trimester of pregnancy and during the delivery process. In individuals of both sexes, the deviation of indicators from the norm to a greater extent can be a consequence of overeating and high-intensity physical activity.
The presence of immature granulocytes in the blood is not a pathology. This is because the life cycle of granular leukocytes is only a few days. In other words, the change to young cells occurs very quickly, the number of the latter is from 1 to 5%.
Deviations from the norm upwards
If granulocytes are elevated, this means that the body develops an inflammatory process (in the absence of physiological reasons).
The number of granular leukocytes increases against the background of:
- The course of acute diseases of an infectious nature.
- An allergic reaction.
- Malignant neoplasms.
- Intoxication process (caused by including uncontrolled medication).
- Helminthic infestation.
- Diseases characterized by necrotic manifestations.
An increase in GRA in a child’s blood test is often the result of vaccination.
An increase in neutrophil count occurs for the following reasons:
- Acute hemorrhages.
- Acceptance of certain medications.
- Bacterial infections in acute form.
- Intoxication of the body.
- Myeloproliferative diseases.
Reasons for the increase in the number of eosinophils:
- Pathology of the organs of the endocrine system.
- Cardiovascular disorders.
- Systemic diseases of the connective tissue.
- Pathologies of a dermatological nature.
- Allergic reactions.
- The presence of tumors.
- Helminthic infestations.
- Impaired functioning of the immune system.
Reasons for increasing basophil levels:
- Allergic reactions.
- Hodgkin's syndrome.
- Blood diseases.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- Hemolytic anemia.
- Inflammatory processes in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Taking some medications.
When decoding the GRA in a blood test, the doctor always estimates the number of other white blood cells, as well as lymphocytes and red blood cells. Only with the help of an integrated approach can one suspect the presence of a disease.
Deviations from the norm downwards
If the GRA in the blood test is lowered, this may also indicate the development of a pathological process in the body. If the number of granulocytes is less than normal, it is necessary to evaluate the level of subspecies.
With a decrease in eosinophils, it is customary to talk about a phenomenon such as eosinopenia. If these granulocytes are lowered, this means that a pathological process is developing in the body. The main reasons for the deviation:
- An acute bacterial infection.
- Sepsis.
- Physical overstrain.
- Burn disease.
- Anemia.
- Taking glucocorticoids.
- Staying long under stress.
- Various kinds of injuries.
- Anemia.
- Eosinopenia as a result of surgery.
A decrease in the level of these cells in children, as a rule, indicates the presence of disorders in the hematopoietic system.
With a decrease in basophils, it is customary to talk about basopenia. This condition is diagnosed extremely rarely. In most cases, it indicates violations in the hematopoietic system. In addition, basopenia can develop against the background of an infectious process, pneumonia, hyperthyroidism, Bazedova disease, Cushing's syndrome. The physiological causes of abnormalities are pregnancy and the period of ovulation.
A decrease in the level of neutrophils (neutropenia) may indicate the presence of the following pathologies:
- Radiation damage.
- Anemia.
- Neoplasms localized in the bone marrow.
- Diabetes.
- Typhoid fever.
- Malaria.
- Toxic goiter.
- Tularemia.
- Brucellosis.
- Flu.
- Hepatitis.
- Rubella.
- AIDS.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Collagenoses.
- Cachexia.
- Alcoholism.
- Hypersplenism.
- Intoxication of the body against the background of prolonged use of tranquilizers, immunomodulators and antibiotics.
In children, a decrease in the level of neutrophils is observed in the presence of a pathology of an innate nature - Costman's syndrome. The disease is characterized by a loss of the ability to produce enough of these cells.
Neutropenia is an extremely dangerous condition. Against its background, there is a significant weakening of cellular immunity, as a result of which the body starts multiple inflammatory processes. The prognosis in this case is unfavorable, since there is a high risk of death.
Treatment
If granulocytes are increased or decreased, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination to the patient, which includes both laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods. Based on the research results, a treatment plan for the root cause that caused a pathological deviation of the indicators from the norm is drawn up.
If a decrease or increase in the level of granulocytes is caused by physiological processes, it is recommended to undergo treatment with nettle infusion. It is necessary to use it immediately before a meal of 100 ml three times a day. The course of treatment is 7 days.
In addition, to normalize indicators, it is necessary to follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle: adjust the diet, spend more time in the fresh air, regularly expose the body to moderate physical exertion, and organize a full sleep.
Analysis cost
It is possible to submit biomaterial for general clinical research both in state and private medical institutions. In the first case, a blood test is performed free of charge, but only if the patient has an insurance policy.
In private clinics, the cost of analysis is an average of 350 rubles. Additionally, it is necessary to pay for the biomaterial fence. Usually the cost of this service does not exceed 150 rubles.
Analysis results are ready on the same day.
Finally
The term "granulocytes" refers to cells related to white blood cells. Their distinctive feature is the presence of granularity. The group of granulocytes includes eosinophils, basophils and neutrophils. Each of these components performs certain functions.
You need to know that GRA in a blood test are cells that are normally present in fluid connective tissue. But if the level of granulocytes is lowered or increased, this may indicate the development of a pathological process in the body. To identify an ailment, the doctor additionally prescribes both laboratory and instrumental studies. Based on their results, he then draws up a treatment regimen.