Each person, seeking medical help, at least once in his life passed a general blood test. This analysis gives the doctor information about the individual parameters of the state of the body. Since this substance is in contact with all organs of any living organism, a lot of information is displayed in the blood test. The data that are included in the general analysis of blood: what is included in its composition, how much is contained in it, determines the general reaction of the body to the pathogenic process that occurs in the body.
In order to take a small amount of blood for analysis, you need to get it from the pillow of the ring finger, puncture it with a special disposable sterile needle (scarifier). The analysis determines the corresponding reaction of the body's defenses to external action, that is, an increase in the number of white blood cells to fight infection, a change in physical properties.
Key blood count indicators
What is included in the general blood test? First of all, the most informative indicators.
- Hemoglobin, red blood cells, reticulocytes - these are indicators of the so-called "red bodies".
- White blood cells and their varieties (neutrophils and lymphocytes) are indicators of “white bodies”.
- ESR - an indicator of the overall reactivity of the body.
Now more about the components that make up the general blood test. What is included in the mandatory definition is red blood cells and white blood cells.
Red blood cells and reticulocytes in the blood
Red blood cells are blood cells, their main task is to transport oxygen to tissues using hemoglobin. Like the hemoglobin content, the number of red blood cells varies throughout a person’s life. In a newborn, these indicators are the highest: 6.0 - 5.5 * 10¹² / l of red blood cells. Gradually, the number of red blood cells in the baby decreases and by the end of 1 month it becomes 4.8–5.0 * 10¹² / l. Absolutely all patients donate blood to red blood cells.
Reticulocytes are the precursors of red blood cells, that is, young red blood cells. Since the process of renewing blood cells is uninterrupted, some part of these immature forms is always present in it. They are not always determined, most often in case of anemia or bleeding. Normally, the number of reticulocytes averages 0.5–0.6 ppm.
The level of hemoglobin in the body
Hemoglobin is a complex substance that is contained in a red blood cell; its composition can be represented as a compound of a protein (globin) and a substance that contains iron (heme). The main function of hemoglobin is the provision of oxygen to all tissues and the removal of carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs. The hemoglobin content in the body is a very important indicator of the state of health. The highest hemoglobin in newborns is 175-235 g / l, then its level decreases. In a six-month-old child, the norm is 120–125 g / l. In older children and in adults, the lower limit is 110 g / l. There is an erroneous opinion that the higher the hemoglobin in the blood, the better. But, nevertheless, a high level of red blood cells and hemoglobin may indicate various pathological conditions. For example, an elevated hemoglobin level may indicate a thickening of the blood, that is, dehydration of the body.
A comprehensive blood count also includes the determination of other indicators.
A color indicator is a relative value that determines the hemoglobin content in an erythrocyte, and is important for determining the nature of anemia. Normally, it is in the range of 0.85 -1.0.
Blood is donated to platelets in order to determine possible diseases related to blood, as well as for the diagnosis of bone marrow diseases.
Platelets are blood bodies that affect the blood coagulation process. Platelet count decreases with certain diseases, for example, with leukemia, some types of anemia, and sometimes with viral and bacterial infections.
The level of trobocytes in a healthy body is in the range - 180 * 10⁹ cells / l - 320 * 10⁹ cells / l. A platelet test is performed before any surgery to determine blood coagulation.
ESR is an indicator known to many as ROE. Determines the number of millimeters that settle in a test tube for 1 hour. In newborns, it is normal - 2-3 mm / hour, in young children - 4-8 mm / hour, in older children and in adults - 5-10 mm / hour and more.
ESR increases with inflammatory diseases in the body, regardless of the place of inflammation, and the more complicated the inflammation, the higher the rates. Acceleration of ESR can be observed in malignant diseases, in such cases it can be up to 50-60 mm / hour or more.
White blood cells
White blood cells are cells that protect the body in the event pathogenic microbes and viruses enter it. The number of leukocytes in the inflammatory process in most cases increases to cope with the destruction of pathogenic bacteria. Sometimes the white blood cell count may increase due to stressful situations or eating fatty foods.
White blood cells resist any damage to the skin, protect the lesion and prevent the infection from spreading further. The stronger the inflammation, the more leukocytes the body produces and the more they get into the general blood test. What is part of the blood and how the body’s immune system copes with the disease can be found in detail from the analysis. If, for example, the child has developed pneumonia and the white blood cells have not increased, then the immune system can’t cope, and this always alarms the doctors. Blood for leukocytes should be donated if any inflammation in the body is suspected, and in the case of appendicitis, this analysis will help quick diagnosis. A decrease in the level of leukocytes can be observed with some viral infections, poisoning, and certain treatment methods.
In addition to these indicators, the doctor should see the size and shape of red blood cells and changes in the structure of white blood cells, often this helps to establish the correct diagnosis.
Blood analysis. Table of normal indicators| Age | Red blood cell count | Hemoglobin level | White blood cell count |
| up to 1 year | 3.9 - 5.5 | 113 - 141 | 6 - 17.5 |
| from 1 to 3 | 3.8 - 4.9 | 110 - 140 | 6 - 17 |
| from 3 to 9 | 3.7 - 4.9 | 110 - 140 | 5 - 14.5 |
| from 9 to 12 | 3.8 - 4.9 | 120 - 150 | 4.5 - 13.0 |
| from 12 to 15 | 4.2 - 5.6 for men 3.8 - 5.0 for women | 120 - 160 115 - 150 | 4.5 - 13.0 |
| from 15 to 18 | 4.1 - 5.2 for men 3.9 - 5.1 for women | 117 - 166 117 - 153 | 4.5 - 11.0 |
| from 18 to 65 | 4.2 - 5.6 for men 3.8 - 5.1 for women | 132 - 173 117 - 155 | 4 - 9 |
| over 65 years | 3.8 - 5.8 for men 3.8 - 5.2 for women | 126 - 174 117 - 161 | 4 - 9 |
A general blood test, the table of which is shown, presents the results of an average healthy person.
From each drop of blood you can do many more different studies that will tell about the work of individual organs and the body as a whole.
Total protein
By this analysis is meant the mass in grams of all protein molecules contained in 1 liter of blood. In adults, it will normally be 55-80 g / l, in young children a little less. Protein molecules that are present in the blood differ in their properties.
As a result of the analysis, the number of protein fractions is listed , thanks to this study, the doctor receives important information for the correct determination of the diagnosis and the prescribed treatment.
The most basic protein components:
- Albumins are protein molecules that bind water.
- Alpha-1-globulins, normally 3.5 to 6%, increase in the acute stage of the disease.
- Alpha-2-globulins, normally 6.9 - 10%, are the first to respond to the inflammation process.
- Beta-globulins, normally make up 7-12%, an increase occurs in the acute stage of the disease and upon transition to a chronic form.
- Gamma globulins, which are antibodies, usually make up 12-19%, with chronic diseases their level rises.
- C-reactive protein - in the acute period of tissue inflammation becomes positive.
Blood sugar test
It is carried out with the aim of studying carbohydrate metabolism and evaluating the pancreas. Usually donate blood for sugar to determine the possibility of diabetes. Permissible glucose limits are 3.3-5.5 mmol / L. It is important to adhere to the rule: blood for sugar is taken from a finger in the morning on an empty stomach, dinner before these should be no later than 19.00, that is, the minimum time between food and analysis should be at least 8 hours. Of course, it is impossible to make a diagnosis using one analysis, but it is decisive in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and diseases of the endocrine system, and is also the main controlling parameter in the prescribed treatment.
Blood type determination
This analysis is mandatory before any operation or in connection with a blood transfusion. Sometimes, unknowingly, this classification becomes a stumbling block within the family when the blood type of a child does not coincide with the blood type of one or both parents. In fact, this is a fairly common occurrence and blood is inherited according to the laws of genetics. For example, if both parents have a second blood group, the likelihood that the baby will have the first group is very high. And if the parents have blood of the first and fourth groups, then, according to the laws of genetics, the child will have a second or third group.
During pregnancy, they always pay attention to cases when the mother has Rh-negative blood, and the baby inherited Rh-positive from his father. In this case, antibodies accumulate in the mother’s blood, which may be unsafe for the child’s health.
Liver tests
How such an important organ in the body as the liver works can also be determined by a blood test. The activity of transaminases in the selected sample indicates liver disease and is accompanied by the death of liver cells. The analysis is carried out in any biochemical laboratory, while taking blood from a finger or vein. An increase in the level of transaminases is observed not only with viral hepatitis, but also with other injuries (injuries, burns, myocarditis, taking toxic products, including antibiotics).
Blood test for cholesterol
The normal indicator of cholesterol in the body is 3.6-6.7 mmol / l. It should be remembered that high cholesterol contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, and it, in turn, provokes various heart diseases and is the cause of heart attacks and strokes.
A blood test is a simple and very effective study of the body, which is necessary for the correct determination of the diagnosis of the patient. Sometimes an urgent blood test is necessary to save the patient's life. Information obtained from clinical analysis reflects the general reaction of the body to any pathological process, therefore, the preparation and conduct of it must comply with the highest standards. The test results help the doctor not only correctly diagnose, assess the complexity of the course of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment, and sometimes help to detect the disease at a stage when there are no other signs of the disease.