Leukocytes, lymphocytes, sedimentation rate … Many of the terms used in blood tests sound like Mandarin Chinese to us. If you want to get an idea of what it says about your health before the doctor tells you, we give you the keys to "decipher it".
LEUKOCYTES (WCC): TO KNOW HOW YOUR DEFENSES ARE
Original text
Normal value.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, responsible for transporting oxygen to all living tissues in the body.
Normal value. Between 3.8 and 5.3 million per l.
If there are high levels … It could be due to smoking, respiratory failure (chronic bronchitis, etc.) or simply from living in an area at a high altitude.
If there are low levels … It may be due to anemia (lack of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid), having lost blood (in heavy menstruations or after a surgical operation), a disease of the bone marrow (responsible for manufacturing them) or other chronic diseases.
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
This value refers to the size of the red blood cells.
- Normal value. Between 80 and 101 fentoliters (fl).
- If there are high levels… When the red blood cells are large due to a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid, in liver diseases or due to alcoholism.
- If there are low levels… Red blood cells are small due to anemia or some rare inherited disease.
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (HCM)
The amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell to see if a good oxygen level is achieved.
- Normal value. Between 25 and 35 pg.
- If there are high levels… It could be due to a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate.
- If there are low levels… It could be due to anemia.
SEDIMENTATION VELOCITY (VSG)
It refers to the speed that blood cells need to sediment.
Normal value. Below 18mm.
If it is altered, it means that there is an inflammation or infection process that needs to be investigated.
PLATELETS
They take care of coagulation if there are wounds.
Normal value. 130,000-450,000 / l.
If there are high levels … They can occur after bleeding, as a reaction to an infection, allergy or medication, in some blood diseases …
If there are low levels… It is usually related to serious infections, rare diseases or if the spleen is very active (for example in liver problems).
TRANSAMINASES, THEY TELL YOU HOW YOUR LIVER IS
They are liver enzymes and their count in the blood test is used to discover some liver damage. There are three types:
Normal values.
1. GOT-ALT: less than 40 U / L.
2. GPT-AST: less than 40 U / L.
3. GGT: between 7 and 35 U / L.
If there are high levels … It indicates an inflammation of the liver, hepatitis due to viruses, reaction to some medications or drugs, fatty liver (possibly due to obesity), damage due to alcohol consumption, cysts, biliary problems …
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE, REVEALS THE STATE OF THE TISSUES
It is an enzyme that "works" in all tissues, but especially in the bones, liver and bile ducts.
Normal value. Between 30 and 120 U / L.
If there are high levels … It is related to fractures, bone diseases, liver or reaction to some medications. They do not always mean disease (also due to growth, pregnancy, etc.).
If there are low levels… They indicate malnutrition.
HOW DO YOU GO FROM CHOLESTEROL, THE "GOOD" AND THE "BAD"
It is a lipid or fat that is found in the blood and in all parts of the body. Small amounts are needed, but too much can clog arteries and cause heart problems.
Total value. Below 200 mg / dl. If it is high, you have to see if it is the good or the bad.
HDL cholesterol, the "good one".
It carries a series of fats (lipids) to the liver. The higher you are, the more protected you are from heart problems.
Normal value. More than 35 mg / dl.
LDL cholesterol, the "bad"
It carries fats to various parts of the body. If it is above 160, medication can be prescribed, as it poses a risk of heart attack and other heart diseases.
Normal value. Less than 150 mg / dl.
GLUCOSE, THE BLOOD SUGAR
Glucose (the most important type of sugar in the body) is our main source of energy. The test counts the amount of glucose circulating in the fasting blood.
Normal value. Between 65 and 105 mg / dl.
If there are high levels… It may indicate diabetes, but several tests are needed to certify it; also glucose intolerance; seasonal diabetes of pregnancy; from some medications or infections.
If there are low levels… From long fasts, excess diabetes medication, etc.
FERRITINE: TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANEMIA DUE TO LACK OF IRON
Iron is obtained from food and stored to be used as ferritin. With the analysis we know how this iron “store” is.
Normal value. Between 20 and 250 ng / ml.
If there are high levels … It is related to inflammatory disorders, transfusion hemochromatosis …
If there are low levels … It indicates the possible presence of anemia, heavy bleeding, poor absorption of iron, abuse of acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen or arthritis medications, intestinal problems …
DO NOT BE ALARM IF …
- There are some altered figures. The cause is not always a disease: it may be the effect of a drug or another minor reason.
–Values do not match. Depending on the laboratory there are slight variations in the "reference values". They can also use different units.
–There is a significant increase in a value. The doctor will order other tests if he thinks it is an important value. A single analysis is not enough.
–There are days until your medical visit. Wait and don't self-medicate - a low iron figure, for example, may simply be due to heavy menstruation. The doctor is the one who must decide.
