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Kylie Leeson

Blood Count


blood work

I am always so intrigued with my condition (ITP – Immune Thrombocytopenia) and I do my best to educate myself as much as possible. I find this is my coping mechanism - the more I know the less I fear my illness. I also have found that the more knowledge I have about my "illness" helps me make confident decisions in regards to treatment.

However, today is not a topic about treatment. Today is just a small post about blood count and what are the normals/abnormals in one’s blood work.

Us ITP patients spend much time in pathology and whilst we spend majority of our time receiving needles to test our blood, I am not sure many of us really understand the ins and outs of our blood work. Yes we have grown knowledgeable in regards to our platelet count, we know below 50,000 is bad and below 10,000 is danger but do we know what other abnormals can be found in the blood?

A complete blood counts (CBC) is a test done to not only check platelets but also white and red blood cells. A CBC is done by drawing ones blood and sending it over to the lab to test the results.

You know that time you spend waiting between getting your blood test and seeing the hematologist – this is what your hematologist is waiting for before meeting with you.

What are they looking at?

Red blood cells: red blood cells contains hemoglobin, which is compound, which combines oxygen from the lungs and transfers it throughout the body.

There are different indexes that are reviewed in your red blood count. Below is what is called "normal"

  • RBC count: 4.6 - 6.1 million cells (mcl) for men and 4.2-5.4 million cells (mcL) for women

  • Hemoglobin count: 13.8-17.2 Grams dL for men and 12.1-15.1 grams dL for women

  • Hematocrit count: 49.7 -50.3 percent for men and 36.1-44.3 percent for women

  • Mean corpuscular volume (mcv) count: 80-95 femotoliter

  • MCH: 27-31 pg/cell

  • MCHC: 32-36 gm/dL

White blood cells: white blood cells protect our body from infection and attack foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, cancer etc. by marking them as the enemy.

Total white blood cell count 4,500 - 10,000 cells/mcL

Platelets: platelets are responsible for forming clots (clotting the blood when there is a tear or bleed to stop bleeding).

A CBC can test the platelet level. Normal levels are from 150,000 -400,000 dL

Please note whilst the test result can give a platelet number indication, it cannot advise how active the platelets are.

So there you have it, this is the "normals" they are searching for in you blood work.

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