COMPLETE  BLOOD  COUNT  SCREENINGS

ANEMIA SCREENING - BASIC

Anemia occurs when the amount of hemoglobin (found in the red blood cells) drops below normal. Hemoglobin is necessary for the transport and delivery of oxygen throughout the body. There are many different types of anemia, but we will limit this page to the most common ones.

The Anemia Screening - Basic includes:

• Hemoglobin (Hgb). Hemoglobin is the substance in a red blood cell that carries oxygen. The hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in blood and is a good indication of the blood's ability to carry oxygen throughout the body.
• Hematocrit (HCT, packed cell volume, PCV). This test measures the amount of space (volume) red blood cells occupy in the blood. The value is given as a percentage of red blood cells in a volume of blood. For example, a hematocrit of 38 means that 38% of the blood's volume is composed of red cells.

People often equate anemia with iron-deficiency. While this is partially true, anemia is actually any condition where red blood cells are reduced in number or volume or are deficient in the oxygen-carrying red pigmented protein hemoglobin. In this scenario, a lack of iron can either be a cause or a result.

Most anemias reduce the oxygen available to the body's tissues, leading to fatigue, dizziness, fainting and shortness of breath. This condition usually occurs as a symptom of another health condition.

If you show signs of anemia, detecting and classifying your condition can help your physician determine what, if any, other "silent" conditions might be affecting you.

There are nearly one hundred varieties of anemia. Each can be classified according to its cause:
• Increased red blood cell destruction—often due to hereditary diseases
• Decreased red blood cell production—due to lack of iron
• Excessive bleeding—due to sudden or chronic blood loss

Recognizing anemia
There may be no symptoms at first, or symptoms such as:
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Fainting spells
• Breathlessness
• Rapid heart beat
• Appetite loss
• Stomach pain

Other changes in your iron status
Iron-overload occurs when the amount of iron entering the body exceeds the amount of iron lost. Excessive amounts of iron can be caused by ingestion of large amounts of iron supplements, multiple blood transfusions or increased absorption of iron from the intestine as occurs in the inherited disease called hemochromatosis.

Iron overload may cause no symptoms, but the accumulation of iron can cause damage to important organs such as the heart and liver.

The Anemia Screening - Basic can also help detect conditions associated with iron excess, such as iron overload or Hemochromatosis

go back

Complete Blood Count & Differential

(Fasting not required)

A complete blood count (CBC) provides important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A CBC can help you and your health professional evaluate symptoms (such as weakness, fatigue, or bruising) and diagnose conditions (such as anemia, infection, and many other disorders).

A CBC test includes:

• White blood cell (WBC) count. White blood cells protect the body against infection. If an infection develops, white blood cells attack and destroy the bacteria, virus, or other organism causing it. White blood cells are bigger than red blood cells and normally fewer in number. When a person has a bacterial infection, the number of white cells can increase dramatically. The white blood cell count shows the number of white blood cells in a sample of blood. The number of white blood cells is sometimes used to identify an infection or monitor the body's response to cancer treatment.
• White blood cell types (WBC differential). There are five major kinds of white blood cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Immature neutrophils, called band neutrophils, are also included and counted as part of this test. Each type of cell plays a different role in protecting the body. The numbers of each one of these types of white blood cells give important information about the immune system. An increase or decrease in the numbers of the different types of white blood cells can help identify infection, an allergic or toxic reaction to certain medications or chemicals, and many conditions (such as leukemia ).
• Red blood cell (RBC) count. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. They also help carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs so it can be exhaled. The red blood cell count shows the number of red blood cells in a sample of blood. If the RBC count is low, the body may not be getting the oxygen it needs. If the count is too high (a condition called polycythemia), there is a risk that the red blood cells will clump together and block tiny blood vessels (capillaries).
• Hematocrit (HCT, packed cell volume, PCV). This test measures the amount of space (volume) red blood cells occupy in the blood. The value is given as a percentage of red blood cells in a volume of blood. For example, a hematocrit of 38 means that 38% of the blood's volume is composed of red cells.
• Hemoglobin (Hgb). Hemoglobin is the substance in a red blood cell that carries oxygen. The hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in blood and is a good indication of the blood's ability to carry oxygen throughout the body.
• Red blood cell indices. There are three red blood cell indices: mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). They are not measured directly but are determined from other measurements noted during a CBC. The MCV shows the size of the red blood cells. The MCH value is the amount of hemoglobin in an average red blood cell. The MCHC measures the concentration of hemoglobin in an average red blood cell. These numbers help in the diagnosis of different types of anemia.

go back

Add-Ons to CBC
separate charges applied

• Platelet (thrombocyte) count. Platelets (thrombocytes) are the smallest type of blood cell. They play a major role in blood clotting. When bleeding occurs, the platelets swell, clump together, and form a sticky plug that helps stop the bleeding. If there are too few platelets, uncontrolled bleeding may be a problem. If there are too many platelets, there is a risk of a blood clot forming in a blood vessel.

• Blood smear. In this test, a drop of blood is spread (smeared) on a slide and stained with a special dye. The slide is then examined under a microscope. The numbers, size, and shape of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are recorded. Blood cells with unusual shapes or sizes can help diagnose many blood diseases, such as leukemia, malaria, or sickle cells anemia. 

go back

Serum Iron Profile and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)

Serum iron level measures the level of iron in the liquid part of your blood. It also measures the amount of Transferrin, a blood protein that transports iron from the gut to the cells that use it. Your body makes Transferrin in relationship to your need for iron.

When iron stores are low, Transferrin levels increase, while Transferrin is low when there is too much iron.

Usually about one third of the Transferrin is being used to transport iron. Because of this, your blood serum has considerable extra iron-binding capacity, which is the Unsaturated Iron Biding Capacity (UIBC). The TIBC equals UIBC plus the serum iron measurement. Some laboratories measure UIBC, some measure TIBC, and some measure transferrin.

go back

 

Ferritin

Composed of iron and protein, Ferritin is a storehouse for iron in the body. Measurement provides an accurate picture of how much iron you have available in reserve. It is used to evaluate anemia and for diagnosing iron deficiency. The ferritin test is ordered to see how much iron your body has stored for future use. The test is done, usually with an iron test and the TIBC to learn about your iron levels in your blood. If a blood count indicates that your Hemoglobin and Hematocrit are low, especially if your red cells are smaller and paler than normal (microcytic and hypochromic in medical terms), iron deficiency is a likely cause for the anemia.. Ferritin and other iron tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Ferritin levels are low in chronic iron deficiency and or if your body proteins are severely depleted, as in some cases of malnutrition.   On the other hand this test also may be ordered when one suspects you may have too much iron, in cases of iron overload, iron poisoning, situation called hemosiderosis (too much iron accumulating from disease or ingestion), and hemochromatosis. Ferritin is normally found mainly inside of cells, with only a small amount in the blood. When there is damage to organs that contain ferritin (especially the liver, spleen, and bone marrow), ferritin levels can become elevated even though the total amount of iron in the body is normal. Ferritin levels may not be particularly helpful in persons with liver disease, chronic infections, cancers, or autoimmune diseases (which are all associated with organ damage).   go back                                 Transferrin Transferrin or TIBC  (Total Iron Binding Capacity). is checked when it appears that you have too much or too little iron in your system. TIBC (or transferrin) is typically used along with serum iron to evaluate persons suspected of having too much or too little iron. Usually, about one third of the transferrin measured is being used to transport iron. In iron deficiency, iron is low, but TIBC is increased. In iron overload, such as in hemochromatosis, iron will be high and TIBC will be low or normal. Because transferrin is made in the liver, TIBC and transferrin will also be low with liver disease. Transferrin levels fall relatively rapidly when there is not enough protein in the diet, and so can also be used to monitor nutrition. If you have anemia, especially if the red cells are small and pale (microcytic and hypochromic), iron tests are usually performed. When one suspects you may have too much iron, or if you have a family history of hemochromatosis, iron and TIBC (or transferrin or UIBC) may be used to see if further testing is needed. High transferrin levels are found in iron deficiency, pregnancy, and in those taking birth control pills. It is low in liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, chronic inflammation, hereditary transferrin deficiency, or when there are excessive amounts of iron in the body. go back                                 Hemoglobin                                              Hemoglobin is the compound that carries oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. The human body can survive three weeks without food, three days without drinking, but only three minutes without oxygen. Sufficient oxygen to each cell in the body is the basis of life itself.    Anemia can be a temporary or long-term disease/illness, and can range from mild to severe. If you have mild anemia, there may be no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but severe anemia can result in a major impact on the quality of life    People often equate anemia with iron-deficiency. While this is partially true, anemia is actually any condition where red blood cells are reduced in number or volume or are deficient in the oxygen-carrying red pigmented protein Hemoglobin.    In this scenario, a lack of iron can either be a cause or a result. Most anemias reduce the oxygen available to the body's tissues, leading to fatigue, dizziness, fainting and shortness of breath. This condition usually occurs as a symptom of another health condition.    There are nearly one hundred varieties of anemia. Each can be classified according to its cause:    Water, nutrients, and oxygen are transported into the mitochondria and burned there to produce energy. If not enough oxygen is available when nutrients are burned, the burn is incomplete.    The amount of oxygen in our blood is directly proportional to the number of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary, as the agent that carries oxygen. Normal range for Females 18 yr and up is 11.5 - 15.0 g/dL Normal range for Males 18 yr and up is    12.5 - 17.0 g/dL go back                             Vitamin B12 and Folate Good nutrition is an important aspect of healthy living. Choosing foods that supply essential nutrients and limiting intake of certain fats and salts can help promote good health. Blood levels of vitamin B12 and folate are key markers of an individual’s nutritional status. Vitamin B12 is important in maintaining heart health and minimizing the risk of anemia. In conjunction with folic acid, it helps regulate the use of iron and the formation of red blood cells. Folate (folic acid) is a B vitamin that is essential to fetal development; adequate intake of folate during pregnancy can prevent certain types of birth defects. There is evidence that increased intake of folate and other B vitamins can lower levels of Homocystein, a risk factor for heart disease. go back                         Reticulocyte A reticulocyte count is a test that measures how rapidly immature red blood cells.  Reticulocytes are made by the bone marrow and then released into the bloodstream. Reticulocytes circulate in the bloodstream for about 2 days before developing into mature red blood cells. Normally, about 1% to 2% of the red blood cells in the bloodstream are reticulocytes. The reticulocyte count increases during rapid blood loss or in the course of certain diseases in which red blood cells are destroyed prematurely. Also, spending an extended period of time at an elevation above sea level may cause reticulocyte counts to increase. This occurs to help a person adapt to the lower oxygen levels found at high altitudes. A reticulocyte count is done to: Help determine whether anemia is being caused by a decrease in production of red blood cells or by an increase in destruction (or loss) of red blood cells. The increased destruction or loss of red blood cells causes the bone marrow to make more reticulocytes. Monitor treatment for anemia. For example, a higher reticulocyte count indicates that iron replacement treatment or other treatment to reverse the anemia is effective. go back                         Anemia Profile - Comprehensive Includes: CBC (Complete Blood Count) Serum Iron w/TIBC Transferrin Ferritin go back