Full Blood Count and its Interpretations
This investigation provides information on the following:
The Haemoglobin (Hb) Level
This represents the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Haemoglobin is a protein molecule which facilitates the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues. The protein is usually found inside the red blood cells.
Normal Hb levels should be above 12g/dl and below 18g/dl. People with levels below this are considered to be anaemic. (The causes and management of anaemia will be discussed in subsequent months). In reality, a lot of people in developing countries like The Gambia have Hb levels less that 12g/dl, and a more realistic figure might be 10g/dl (this is the writer’s opinion).
The White Blood Cell Count (WBC Count)
White cells are part of the body’s defense mechanism (the foot soldiers, if you like). And the number of such cells in circulation is naturally raised in periods of infection.
The levels usually go back to normal after the infection has been dealt with.
The normal white cell count should be between 3.5 and 10.5 billion cells per litre of blood.
Abnormally high levels of white wells can be an indication of certain blood disorders such as leukemias.
Platelets
Platelets are cell fragments present within the blood stream. They form part of the mechanism of blood clotting which follows injury. Normally, there should be between 150 and 400 billion platelets per litre of blood.
Low levels of platelets in the blood may lead to bleeding disorders.
Others
Other components of a full blood count report help in determining the number, size and haemoglobin concentration within red blood cells.
Iron is a significant component of haemoglobin, and the red blood cells are usually fewer, smaller and contain less haemoglobin in iron deficiency states.
Disclaimer: References values used in this article are solely intended for the purpose of health education and not for diagnostic purposes. Reference values differ in people from different races and countries. And they even differ from one laboratory to another. They all, however, fall within a certain range.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely intended for the purpose of general information and health education. It should not be used for diagnostic purposes or for the treatment of patients. Each diabetic individual has unique features best known by his/her physician.
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