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Blood count – what is it?
Blood count is one of the basic laboratory tests that allows you to assess the composition of blood morphotic elements.Blood count includes quantitative and qualitative analysis of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.This test is extremely important because it allows for the early detection of many cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases and other disorders.
Blood count – indications for the test
Blood count is performed in various situations.The main indications for this test are:
- Preventive examinations
- Diagnostics of circulatory system diseases
- Monitoring the treatment of blood diseases
- Infection diagnosis
- Examination before planned surgery
Blood count – how to prepare for the test?
Special preparation is not always necessary before performing a blood count.However, there are some recommendations that are worth considering:
- Do not eat heavy meals before the examination.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking before the test.
- Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, as some of them may affect blood test results.
Blood count – interpretation of test results, norms
Interpreting blood count results is the task of a doctor who takes into account many factors, such as age, gender and health condition of the patient.Nevertheless, there are some general standards that make it possible to evaluate the results:
- The number of red blood cells (erythrocytes): the norm is approximately 4.5-5.5 million/mm³ in men and 4.0-5.0 million/mm³ in women.
- The number of white blood cells (leukocytes): the norm is from 4.0 to 10.0 thousand/mm³ of blood.
- The number of platelets (thrombocytes): the norm is from 150 to 400 thousand/mm³ of blood.
How often should a blood test be performed?
The periodicity of blood counts depends on the age, health condition and possible diseases of the patient.For healthy people, it is recommended to be tested every 1-2 years.People with diseases of the hematopoietic system may need more frequent tests, as recommended by their doctor.
Blood count – price/reimbursement and referral
Blood count testing is available in many medical facilities.The price may vary depending on the region and type of facility.It is worth checking whether the test is reimbursed by the National Health Fund, which may reduce costs.A referral for a blood count may be made by a general practitioner or a specialist, depending on the patient’s needs.
Your suggestions
It is always worth consulting the blood count results with a doctor who will be able to interpret them properly and, if necessary, order further tests.You should not self-diagnose based on morphology results, because they may indicate various diseases, and only a specialist can make the right diagnosis and implement appropriate treatment.
Recommended articles
To learn more about blood tests and disease diagnosis, you may also want to read other articles on this topic.We recommend:
- “How to prepare for blood tests?”
- “The value of blood count testing in cancer diagnosis”
- “Blood diseases – what are the most common diseases of the hematopoietic system?”
Blood count is a key diagnostic test that can provide important information about a patient’s health.Performing this test regularly can help in the early detection and treatment of many diseases, so it is worth ensuring its regularity and consulting the results with a doctor.