Blood cell counts

Leucocytes play an important role in protecting the body against infections and diseases. They are responsible for keeping the immune system functioning and preventing the penetration of harmful micro-organisms. An increase or decrease in the number of leucocytes may indicate certain health problems. An increased number of leukocytes (leukocytosis) can often indicate an infection, an inflammatory process, an immune system reaction or even the presence of cancer. On the other hand, a reduced number of leucocytes (leukopenia) can indicate immune suppression, certain infections or metabolic disorders.

HCT (haematocrit) is an indicator that measures the percentage of erythrocytes in the blood. This means that the haematocrit indicates the percentage of the total blood volume that is occupied by erythrocytes. In a complete blood count, haematocrit is expressed as a percentage or as a number and is used as an indicator to assess the composition of the body's blood. Generally, when results are below the normal haematocrit level, it may indicate anaemia, in which the number of erythrocytes or their volume in the blood is reduced. On the other hand, an elevated haematocrit may indicate dehydration, certain plasma fluid deficiency states, or other diseases such as polycythaemia vera, in which there is an increase in the production of red blood cells.

It is important to note that in a complete blood count, HCT is evaluated together with other parameters such as erythrocyte count and haemoglobin content.

MCV (mean corpuscular volume) is an indicator that measures the average size of an erythrocyte in the blood. It shows how big or small the red blood cells are. MCV values can indicate different conditions:

1. Low MCV: A low mean corpuscular volume can indicate microcytosis, in which the red blood cells are smaller than normal. This may be related to iron deficiency anaemia, in which the body lacks the iron needed to produce erythrocytes.

2. High MCV: A high mean erythrocyte volume may indicate macrocytosis, in which the erythrocytes are larger than normal. This may be due to a deficiency of vitamins B12 and folic acid, when the body lacks these vitamins, which are essential for healthy erythrocyte production.

3. Normal MCV: A normal mean corpuscular volume may indicate a normal size of erythrocytes. This may be seen in normal blood composition or in certain conditions that do not cause changes in erythrocyte size.

MCH (mean haemoglobin of erythrocytes) is an indicator that measures the average amount of haemoglobin per erythrocyte. It shows how much haemoglobin is transferred per erythrocyte. MCH values can represent different conditions:

1. Low MCH: A low average erythrocyte haemoglobin can indicate hypochromic anaemia, in which erythrocytes have low haemoglobin. This is usually associated with iron deficiency anaemia, where there is insufficient iron in the body to produce haemoglobin.

2. High MCH: A high average erythrocyte haemoglobin may indicate hyperchromic anaemia, in which the erythrocytes have more haemoglobin than normal. This may be related to certain conditions that increase haemoglobin levels, such as vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.

3. Normal MCH: A normal average haemoglobin may indicate a normal haemoglobin level in the erythrocytes. This may be seen in normal blood composition or in certain conditions that do not affect haemoglobin levels.

MCHC (mean haemoglobin concentration in the erythrocyte) is an indicator that measures the average concentration of haemoglobin in erythrocytes. It shows how concentrated haemoglobin is in erythrocytes. MCHC values can indicate different conditions:

1. Low MCHC: A low average concentration of haemoglobin in erythrocytes may indicate hypochromic anaemia, in which the concentration of haemoglobin is lower than normal. This is usually associated with iron deficiency anaemia or other conditions that result in lower levels of haemoglobin in erythrocytes.

2. High MCHC: A high mean erythrocyte haemoglobin concentration may be an uncommon phenomenon that may be due to elevated haemoglobin levels or other blood disorders. It may be related to certain genetic or congenital conditions that lead to elevated haemoglobin concentrations.

3. Normal MCHC: A normal mean erythrocyte haemoglobin concentration indicates a normal haemoglobin concentration. This may be seen in normal blood or in certain conditions that do not affect haemoglobin concentration.

RDW (red blood cell size distribution) is an indicator that measures the variation in red blood cell size in the blood. It shows how erythrocytes are distributed according to their size. RDW values can indicate different conditions:

1. Increased RDW: An increased erythrocyte size distribution may indicate that the erythrocyte size difference is larger than normal. This can be associated with various forms of anaemia in which erythrocytes are different in size and shape.

2. Normal RDW: A normal erythrocyte size distribution indicates that the erythrocytes are of similar size and have a harmonious distribution. This can be observed in normal blood composition or in certain conditions that do not affect the size of erythrocytes.

PLTs (thrombocytes) are the blood cells responsible for blood clotting and maintaining platelet function. Platelets are smaller than erythrocytes and leucocytes, but play a very important role.They are one of the main indicators used to assess the clotting capacity of the blood and various circulatory disorders.An increase or decrease in platelet count may indicate certain health problems:

1. Increased platelet counts (thrombocytosis) can be associated with things like blood diseases, inflammation, infection or even cancer.

2. Decreased platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can be associated with a range of conditions including autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, liver or kidney disease, severe infections or side effects of medicines.

NE (neutrophils) are a category of white blood cells (leukocytes). Neutrophils are an important part of the immune system and play an important role in the body's defence against infections. This indicator helps to assess the state of the immune system and to detect infections or inflammatory processes in the body.

Neutrophil counts can indicate different conditions:

1. An increased number of neutrophils (neutrophilia) may indicate an infection, inflammation, tissue damage or some bone marrow disorders.

2. Decreased neutrophil counts (neutropenia) may be associated with certain genetic conditions, autoimmune diseases, aplastic anaemia, side effects of certain drugs or the effects of chemotherapy.

LY (lymphocytes) are a category of white blood cells (leukocytes). Lymphocytes are an important part of the immune system and perform a variety of functions, including the formation of immune memory and the regulation of specific immune responses. Lymphocyte results help to assess the state of the immune system and to identify certain diseases or immune disorders.

Lymphocyte counts can indicate different conditions:

1. An elevated lymphocyte count (lymphocytosis) may indicate that the body is experiencing an infection, especially viral infections, autoimmune diseases, some forms of leukaemia, or other immune system disorders.

2. Decreased lymphocyte counts (lymphopenia) may be associated with certain conditions, including immunodeficiency disorders, chemotherapy, aplastic anaemia, or other disorders that affect lymphocyte production or function.

MOs (monocytes) are a category of white blood cells (leukocytes). Monocytes are large cells that play an important role in the body's immune and inflammatory response. The results help to assess the state of the immune system and to identify certain diseases or inflammatory processes in the body.

The number of monocytes can indicate different conditions:

1. Increased monocyte counts (monocytosis) may indicate inflammation, infection, tissue damage or certain other conditions in the body that require monocyte activation.

2. Decreased monocyte counts (monocytopenia) may be associated with certain conditions, including certain immunodeficiency disorders, certain drug side effects or bone marrow disorders.

EOs (eosinophils) are a category of white blood cells (leukocytes). Eosinophils are cells that contain granules and play an important role in the body's immune response, especially in allergic reactions and parasite infections. Their results can be used to assess the state of the immune system and to detect certain diseases or allergic reactions.

Eosinophil counts can indicate different conditions:

1. Elevated eosinophil counts (eosinophilia) can indicate allergic reactions, asthma, allergic rhinitis, parasitic infections or other conditions that trigger an immune or inflammatory response.

2. Decreased eosinophil counts (eosinopenia) are less common, but may be associated with certain conditions such as high levels of corticosteroids or severe bacterial infections.