General analysis of blood from a vein indicators. Nine blood indicators that will tell you everything about you. Blood test from a vein: general, biochemical - what do they show
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Any pathological process in the body is reflected in the blood counts. Therefore, a blood test from a vein is often one of the first diagnostic procedures that a doctor prescribes when a disease is suspected.
A blood test from a vein is more informative and accurate than a capillary blood test from a finger. When taking blood from a finger, there is always the possibility of distorting the results associated with the blood sampling procedure itself. In addition, the volume of blood obtained from a fingerstick test is often limited, so it can be difficult to cross-check the results.
When is a complete blood count ordered?
A general blood test is prescribed in the following cases:
- As part of a scheduled annual medical examination to assess the current state of health.
- If necessary, before starting any course of treatment, to monitor its effectiveness.
- With an infectious disease to clarify its nature.
Description of the blood sampling procedure
To take blood from a vein, the patient's forearm is slightly pulled with a tourniquet. The patient is then asked to clench and unclench his fist to increase blood flow. The skin in the area of the elbow is wiped with an alcohol wipe, after which a hollow needle is inserted into the vein. Through this needle, blood is taken from a vein and filled with the required number of test tubes.
After that, the needle is pulled out, and a sterile cotton swab is applied to the place of its insertion and fixed on the arm with a bandage. With such a bandage, after taking blood from a vein, you need to walk for no more than 5-7 minutes.
To determine different blood parameters, different methods, various reagents and equipment are used. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that you will need to fill several test tubes, depending on the required number of indicators.
How to prepare for a blood test
A general blood test can be taken at any time of the day, regardless of the meal. A biochemical blood test from a vein is taken on an empty stomach.
Why can't you eat
In some situations, after eating, substances enter the bloodstream that can have an indirect effect on certain indicators if you donate blood from a vein for biochemical analysis.
What not to do before a blood test
The doctor who will prescribe the analysis will tell you about this. Usually, before taking blood from a vein, it is necessary to refrain from eating (if you are taking a biochemical analysis) and to stop taking certain drugs if the patient is taking something.
What can you drink before donating blood
Before taking blood from a vein, you can drink water in unlimited quantities.
The main indicators of a blood test
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. Its main function is to provide the body with oxygen. Both elevated and reduced hemoglobin levels can indicate serious disorders: problems with the gastrointestinal tract, iron deficiency anemia, heart failure, etc.
red blood cells- red blood cells. Their excess can lead to thickening of the blood and the appearance of frequent headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds. A low red blood cell count often leads to fatigue and tinnitus.
Reticulocytes are precursors of erythrocytes, which are formed in the bone marrow. If their content is lowered, this may indicate a violation of the process of formation of red blood cells. Elevated levels of reticulocytes may indicate the presence of blood loss.
platelets- blood "plates" responsible for blood clotting. A deviation in the platelet level from the norm may indicate the presence of serious diseases, such as tuberculosis, liver and kidney cancer, bone marrow damage, and leukemia.
ESR- erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It may indirectly indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Leukocytes- white blood cells. Their deficiency may indicate, among other things, the presence of an infectious disease.
Neutrophils- one of the varieties of leukocytes. Help the body fight bacteria. Their reduced content may indicate the presence of a severe infection in the body. If the rest of the blood counts are normal, an increase in the level of neutrophils does not indicate the presence of serious problems in the body.
Lymphocytes- Cells of the immune system. An increase in the level of leukocytes can be observed in children during the period of recovery from infectious diseases. A decrease in the content of lymphocytes in the blood is observed at the onset of the disease.
Monocytes- A type of leukocyte. Their function is to cleanse the body and support immunity. An increase in their content may indicate an inflammatory or oncological disease.
Eosinophils- leukocytes responsible for the destruction of foreign protein in the body. They are elevated in allergic diseases.
Basophils- leukocytes, an increase in the content of which may indicate both the presence of an inflammatory process or a foreign body in the body, and inflammation in the digestive organs and disruption of the thyroid gland.
Plasma cells- cells that are part of the immune system and are responsible for the production of immunoglobulins (antibodies). May appear in the blood during infectious diseases such as chickenpox, rubella, measles.
Interpretation of CBC results
Usually, the forms with the results of the analysis indicate whether there is a deviation from the norm. But do not try to interpret the results yourself, draw conclusions and choose a treatment - trust an experienced doctor.
Expert doctor's opinion
A complete blood count will reveal the presence of an acute or current condition, in the case of an infectious disease, it will suggest the nature of the infectious agent, which will allow the doctor to prescribe adequate treatment. A biochemical blood test indicates the state of metabolism, the function of certain organs and systems, and endocrinological diseases.
Every adult at least once in his life took a blood test from a vein. It is no secret that many are afraid of this procedure, although it must be admitted that it is not as painful as it might seem from the outside. An experienced specialist can take the material for analysis so that the patient practically does not feel anything. And after the procedure, there will be no traces left.
In fact, it's not so much the pain of a medical procedure that scares most patients, but how the procedure looks. And how exactly the blood is taken from a vein can really make impressionable natures nervous. Nevertheless, such a blood test is very revealing, so doctors tend to prescribe it to their patients to determine a possible pathology. Those who are afraid to donate blood from a vein should know that only with the help of this analysis can most problems in the body be detected.
What can be determined by a blood test?
Blood from a vein is used to determine many indicators, depending on what the study is aimed at. The most common type of analysis from a vein is a general analysis, according to which a specialist can draw a conclusion about the general state of health of the patient. Also, blood from a vein is used for a biochemical blood test, which allows you to control the functioning of internal organs and the level of saturation of the body with useful substances.
They are sent for analysis from a vein if it is necessary to find out such indicators as blood sugar levels, hormonal levels, hCG pregnancy hormone, Rh factor, etc. This blood test can determine the presence of infections in the body, possible oncological diseases, pathologies in work of internal organs and much more. Depending on what exactly the doctor is interested in in each case, he will prescribe a certain type of blood test.
General analysis of blood from a vein
A general blood test from a vein is most often prescribed to patients to determine the general condition of the body. This analysis allows you to identify infectious and inflammatory diseases, if any. A general blood test allows you to determine such important blood parameters as:
- The number of red blood cells (erythrocytes).
- The level of hemoglobin is a substance responsible for the transport of oxygen by blood cells.
- The number of white blood cells (leukocytes) and leukocyte blood count. An increase in leukocytes in the blood indicates, first of all, an inflammatory process.
- The number of platelets. These are platelets that are responsible for the clotting ability of blood.
- Hematocrit. This indicator is the ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the volume of blood.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Represents the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation to the bottom of the tube.
Each of these indicators can tell a lot about a person's health. It is very important that they are within the established norms, which will indicate that the patient is healthy.
For a general blood test from a vein, there are the following norms with which the obtained values \u200b\u200bof one or another indicator are compared:
- The number of red blood cells (erythrocytes): 4.3-6.2 x 10 12 / l (men), 3.8-5.5 x 10 12 / l (women), 3.8-5.5 x 10 12 / l (children).
- Hemoglobin level - 120 - 140 g / l.
- Leukocytes: 4.0 - 9.0 × 10 9 / l.
- Platelet count: 180 - 320 × 10 9 / l.
- Hematocrit: 39 - 49% (men), 35 - 45% (women).
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): up to 10 mm/h (men), up to 15 mm/h (women).
The list of established norms for a blood test from a vein also includes other indicators, but the above already allow us to draw a conclusion about the patient's condition. What can a deviation from the norms of a blood test from a vein indicate?
Deciphering a blood test from a vein
The inconsistency of the analysis indicators with the established standards may indicate the presence of the following problems in the body:
Erythrocytes. These blood cells are responsible for supplying tissues with oxygen. A decrease in the number of red blood cells indicates that the organs and tissues do not receive the proper amount of oxygen, and an increase in this indicator indicates the danger of red blood cells sticking together and the possible formation of blood clots.
Hemoglobin. A low level of this indicator indicates anemia and oxygen starvation of the body. With an increased level of hemoglobin, there is a risk of developing thrombosis. It may also indicate dehydration.
Leukocytes. An increase in the number of leukocytes indicates the presence of a bacterial infection. A decrease in this indicator is observed when taking certain medications.
platelets. An increase in the level of platelets in the blood indicates some blood diseases. It can also be observed after surgical removal of the spleen. A decrease in the number of leukocytes may indicate a violation of the function of the bone marrow, cirrhosis of the liver, etc.
Hematocrit. An increase in this indicator in the interpretation of a blood test from a vein indicates an increased content of red blood cells, and a decrease indicates the presence of anemia.
ESR. An elevated ESR in the interpretation of a blood test from a vein is a sign of anemia, malignant neoplasm, etc. A decrease in this indicator indicates some blood diseases.
Modern instruments for taking blood from a vein
The traditional method of blood sampling involves the use of a syringe. It is no secret that in the hands of an inexperienced specialist, a syringe can cause discomfort and bruising after the procedure. Today, many clinics use a vacutainer, which is a closed vacuum system, to conduct such an analysis. The vacutainer uses pressure instead of a piston due to the fact that a vacuum is created in the test tube. This system completely eliminates any contact of the medical staff with the patient's blood. A vacutainer is nothing more than a vacuum syringe, in which the rate of collection of material into a test tube is controlled not by a physician, but by the device itself.
In modern laboratories, diagnosis is based on a blood test. Her indicators will tell about the state of health.
The most popular and informative are biochemical and general analysis.
Before testing in the laboratory, it is appropriate to consult a doctor in order to find out up-to-date information about what this procedure is and what such an analysis can show. Deciphering the results - duty of a person with appropriate qualifications.
How to prepare for the test:
- On the eve of the test, avoid mental stress and physical exertion.
- Do not drastically change the daily routine to which you are already accustomed, and the composition of the diet: the body will be stressed.
- Most often, the procedure is carried out in the morning and on an empty stomach. Before taking blood, you can drink clean water, do not smoke.
- If for medical reasons you need to take any medications, ask your doctor in advance if they can be taken before the procedure.
- In extreme heat, this event is better to postpone.
Reference! If you take the test after 11 am, there is a chance of getting an inaccurate result.
What can a general (clinical) blood test show?
This analysis - an integral laboratory diagnostic method for any diseases, as well as during preparation for surgery. This procedure allows the specialist to draw a conclusion about the condition of the patient who turned to him.
This analysis allows you to form an idea about:
- color index of blood;
- hemoglobin level;
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate;
- hematocrit volume;
- the number of red blood cells and platelets, as well as their quality;
- leukoformula.
What indicators can be determined by a general blood test:
Why take a detailed biochemical analysis?
Biochemical analysis - this is an in-depth method that allows you to find out information about how the internal organs work and what happens with the metabolism.
During this procedure, a vast number of parameters fall under the study. Their exact list will depend on the diagnosis, its list is approved by the attending physician. With this analysis, they look at the state of blood cells, hormone levels and the biochemical composition of plasma.
The most commonly studied indicators are:
- bilirubin;
- glucose;
- liver enzymes - AST and ALT;
- total protein;
- iron;
- urea;
- creatinine.
Too high protein - this is the first symptom of an infection or blood disorder. Urea characterizes metabolic processes in the body.
What is a detailed blood test from a vein and what it can show is described in the video:
Deciphering the main meanings
Hemoglobin
The primary purpose of hemoglobin is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and remove carbon dioxide.
An increase in such an iron-containing protein is detected:
- with heart problems
- overweight,
- smoking,
- arrhythmias,
- with neoplasms in the kidneys or liver.
If a person has low hemoglobin levels, they may have chronic kidney disease, cancer, anemia, or cirrhosis of the liver. Hemoglobin also decreases during pregnancy, infectious diseases and hypothyroidism.
red blood cells
The function of these red blood cells is the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
The biconcave cell count may be exceeded if the following diagnoses are suspected:
- arrhythmia,
- heart disease,
- lung disease,
- severe stress,
- dehydration,
- alcoholism,
- obesity.
In newborns, this figure is also often elevated.
Attention! The number of red blood cells decreases with exacerbation of chronic kidney disease, malignant tumors, infection, overhydration, and during childbearing.
Hematocrit
This criterion can tell how the volume of erythrocytes and the liquid component of blood correlate.
With obesity and arrhythmia, its increase occurs. Also in this case, one cannot exclude: polycystic kidney disease, diseases of the cardiovascular system, dehydration.
In the elderly and newborns, this indicator is also usually increased, but this is due to the age criterion, and not to any disease.
Attention! If you have a low hematocrit level, there is a possibility of anemia, iron deficiency in the body, or pregnancy.
RBC structure indices
Red blood cells include:
- average erythrocyte volume,
- average hemoglobin content and its concentration;
- distribution width of erythrocytes by volume.
If these indicators are deviated from the norm, this indicates pathological processes in the body.
platelets
These blood cells help blood clot and carry circulating immune complexes.
In infectious diseases, tumors and after strip operations, the number of such cells increases. Their number is also able to increase with various injuries and while climbing uphill. In cold seasons, this figure rises again.
The number of platelets in the blood decreases:
- if the woman is pregnant;
- with atherosclerosis,
- with heart failure,
- with diseases of the spleen,
- with a lack of vitamins.
Leukocytes
These blood cells are needed by a person to protect against exogenous pathogens.
If their number is increased, this signals possible problems with the thyroid gland; incipient inflammation or neoplasms. It can also be observed during physical work, during pregnancy, after recent childbirth; after removal of the spleen.
If the level of leukocytes is reduced, then there is a risk of viral and bacterial infections, diseases at the genetic level, heavy metal poisoning.
Leukocyte formula
The calculation of this formula is the determination of the percentage of different types of leukocytes, which is necessary for the diagnosis of leukemia.
This formula includes: granulocytes and agranulocytes. And those, in turn, are divided into: neutrophils (young, rod-nuclear and segment-nuclear); basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes.
Neutrophils account for 50-75% of the total number of leukocytes. Their main function is to protect the body from various infections. With infectious diseases and diabetes, as well as after a recent operation; malignant tumors; during stress; pregnancy, an increase in their number can be observed.
The decrease in this indicator is caused by:
- anaphylactic shock,
- anemia
- infectious virus.
The norms of blood indicators from a vein are approximately the following picture:
Eosinophils participate in tissue reactions and are responsible for the course of allergies.
With dermatitis, acute allergic reactions and infections, their number in the blood is exceeded. It is also observed during pregnancy, with arthritis, heart attacks and pneumonia.
The reduction, most likely, indicates an inflammatory process in the body or its poisoning.
Basophils are the smallest group of leukocytes involved in the course of inflammatory and allergic reactions.
Task lymphocytes- to form and regulate immunity in cells.
Monocytes- cells of the largest size; they form and regulate the immune response process.
Indicators of a biochemical blood test in normal and pathological conditions are shown in the video:
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
The criterion shows us how the protein fractions in the blood correlate. With inflammation, disruption of the liver and kidneys, problems with the endocrine system, it is overestimated. The rate of sedimentation will be affected by the protein that is part of the plasma.
Deciphering the analysis is not as difficult as it seems at first glance, but it should be remembered that all indicators "live" in the system, and one depends on the other. Therefore, you should not engage in self-diagnosis, entrust it to a professional.
If you notice discrepancies from the norm in yourself, do not be alarmed. The overall picture usually looks less frightening.
Whatever you fall ill with, the first analysis that a competent doctor will send you to will be a general (general clinical) blood test, says our expert - a cardiologist, a doctor of the highest category Tamara Ogieva.
Blood for general analysis is taken venous or capillary, that is, from a vein or from a finger. The primary general analysis can be taken not on an empty stomach. A detailed blood test is given only on an empty stomach.
For biochemical analysis, blood will have to be taken only from a vein and always on an empty stomach. After all, if you drink in the morning, say, coffee with sugar, the glucose content in the blood will certainly change and the analysis will be incorrect.
A competent doctor will definitely take into account your gender and physiological state. For example, in women during “critical days”, the ESR increases and the number of platelets decreases.
A general analysis provides more information about inflammation and the state of the blood (a tendency to blood clots, the presence of infections), and a biochemical analysis is responsible for the functional and organic state of the internal organs - the liver, kidneys, pancreas.
General analysis indicators:
1. HEMOGLOBIN (Hb)- a blood pigment found in erythrocytes (red blood cells), its main function is the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and the removal of carbon dioxide from the body.
Normal values for men are 130-160 g / l, women - 120-140 g / l.
Reduced hemoglobin occurs with anemia, blood loss, latent internal bleeding, with damage to internal organs, such as kidneys, etc.
It can rise with dehydration, with blood diseases and some types of heart failure.
2. erythrocytes- blood cells contain hemoglobin.
Normal values are (4.0-5.1) * 10 to the 12th power / L and (3.7-4.7) * 10 to the 12th power / L, for men and women, respectively.
An increase in red blood cells occurs, for example, in healthy people at high altitude in the mountains, as well as in congenital or acquired heart defects, diseases of the bronchi, lungs, kidneys and liver. The increase may be due to an excess of steroid hormones in the body. For example, in case of Cushing's disease and syndrome, or in the treatment of hormonal drugs.
Decrease - with anemia, acute blood loss, with chronic inflammatory processes in the body, as well as in late pregnancy.
3. Leukocytes- white blood cells, they are formed in the bone marrow and lymph nodes. Their main function is to protect the body from adverse effects. Norm - (4.0-9.0) x 10 to the 9th degree / l. Excess indicates the presence of infection and inflammation.
There are five types of leukocytes (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils), each of them performs a specific function. If necessary, a detailed blood test is done, which shows the ratio of all five types of leukocytes. For example, if the level of leukocytes in the blood is increased, a detailed analysis will show, due to which type their total number has increased. If due to lymphocytes, then there is an inflammatory process in the body, if there are more than the norm of eosinophils, then an allergic reaction can be suspected.
Why are there many leukocytes?
There are many conditions in which there is a change in the level of leukocytes. This does not necessarily indicate illness. Leukocytes, as well as all indicators of the general analysis, react to various changes in the body. For example, during stress, pregnancy, after physical exertion, their number increases.
An increased number of leukocytes in the blood (in other words, leukocytosis) also occurs with:
Infections (bacterial),
inflammatory processes,
allergic reactions,
Malignant neoplasms and leukemias,
Taking hormonal drugs, certain heart drugs (for example, digoxin).
But a reduced number of leukocytes in the blood (or leukopenia): this condition often occurs with a viral infection (for example, with the flu) or taking certain medications, for example, analgesics, anticonvulsants.
4. PLATELETS- blood cells, an indicator of normal blood clotting, are involved in the formation of blood clots.
Normal amount - (180-320) * 10 to the 9th degree / l
An increased amount occurs when:
chronic inflammatory diseases (tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, liver cirrhosis), after surgery, treatment with hormonal drugs.
Reduced at:
alcohol, heavy metal poisoning, blood diseases, kidney failure, diseases of the liver, spleen, hormonal disorders. And also under the action of certain drugs: antibiotics, diuretics, digoxin, nitroglycerin, hormones.
5. ESR or ROE- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (erythrocyte sedimentation reaction) is one and the same, an indicator of the course of the disease. Usually, ESR increases on the 2nd-4th day of the disease, sometimes reaching a maximum during the recovery period. The norm for men is 2-10 mm / h, for women - 2-15 mm / h.
Increased at:
infections, inflammation, anemia, kidney disease, hormonal disorders, shock after injuries and operations, during pregnancy, after childbirth, during menstruation.
Downgraded:
with circulatory failure, anaphylactic shock.
Indicators of biochemical analysis:
6. GLUCOSE- it should be 3.5-6.5 mmol / liter. Decrease - with insufficient and irregular nutrition, hormonal diseases. Increase - with diabetes.
7. TOTAL PROTEIN- norm - 60-80 grams / liter. Decreases with deterioration of the liver, kidneys, malnutrition (a sharp decrease in total protein is a common symptom that a rigid restrictive diet clearly did not benefit you).
8. TOTAL BILIRUBIN- norm - not higher than 20.5 mmol / liter shows how the liver works. Increase - with hepatitis, cholelithiasis, destruction of red blood cells.
9. Creatinine- should be no more than 0.18 mmol / liter. The substance is responsible for the functioning of the kidneys. Exceeding the norm is a sign of kidney failure, if it does not reach the norm, then it is necessary to increase immunity.