Small blood count
and Eva Rudolf-Müller, doctorValeria Dahm is a freelance writer in the medical department. She studied medicine at the Technical University of Munich. It is particularly important to her to give the curious reader an insight into the exciting subject area of medicine and at the same time to maintain the content.
More about the expertsEva Rudolf-Müller is a freelance writer in the medical team. She studied human medicine and newspaper sciences and has repeatedly worked in both areas - as a doctor in the clinic, as a reviewer, and as a medical journalist for various specialist journals. She is currently working in online journalism, where a wide range of medicine is offered to everyone.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.A small blood count provides an overview of the number of individual blood cells. It is the most common blood test and helps doctors diagnose and monitor the progress of various diseases. Find out here what the blood counts can tell you about your health.
What is a small blood count?
A small blood count gives the doctor an overview of the number of individual blood cells. The red blood cells (erythrocytes), the white blood cells (leukocytes) and the blood platelets (thrombocytes) are measured. In addition, further laboratory values such as MCV, MCHC and MCH are determined with the help of the amount of red blood pigment (hemoglobin) and the percentage by volume of red blood cells (hematocrit).
Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin and transport oxygen to the various body cells. MCV, MCHC and MCH describe the ratio in which the erythrocytes are composed of hemoglobin and solid components. The leukocytes are responsible for the body's defense against infection. Platelets are important for blood clotting and therefore wound healing.
Thanks to modern laboratory equipment, a small blood count can be determined fully automatically, quickly and easily. Further examination methods supplement the small blood count. Liver values, kidney values or an exact breakdown of the leukocytes (differential blood count) are also ordered by the doctor if necessary.
When do you take a small blood count?
The small blood count is determined both for routine purposes as part of general health care and for targeted diagnostics if various diseases are suspected. Very frequent reasons for examination (indications) are anemia, infections, inflammations, tumors and blood clotting disorders.
Even before operations, the doctor will order a small blood count so that possible complications can be averted early or remedied quickly. This includes, for example, an increased risk of bleeding due to an insufficient number of platelets.
Small blood count: values
In order to determine the blood count values, the doctor usually takes a small blood sample from the vein. It is not absolutely necessary for patients to be fasted for a small blood count, as food intake does not change the values significantly. Different guide values apply to men and women:
|
men |
women | |
|
Erythrocytes |
4.8 - 5.9 million / µl |
4.3 - 5.2 million / µl
|
|
Leukocytes |
4000-10,000 / µl |
4000-10,000 / µl |
|
Platelets |
150,000 - 400,000 / µl |
150,000 - 400,000 / µl |
|
hemoglobin |
14 - 18 g / dl |
12 - 16 g / dl |
|
Hematocrit |
40 - 54 % |
37 - 47 % |
|
MCH |
28 - 34 pg |
28 - 34 pg |
|
MCV |
78-94 fl |
78-94 fl |
|
MCHC |
30 - 36 g / dl |
30 - 36 g / dl |
In children, the normal values of the various parameters depend on the age.
Small blood count: when are the values too low?
A decrease in erythrocytes (erythropenia, erythrocytopenia) can be an indication of anemia due to iron or vitamin deficiency. Blood loss also leads to low erythrocyte counts. The same applies to overhydration, for example through excessive drinking of water.
Low white blood cell counts (leukopenia, leukocytopenia) occur, for example, with a number of infections, with chemotherapy and certain forms of leukemia.
A low number of platelets (thrombopenia, thrombocytopenia) can also indicate leukemia. Other possible causes are bleeding, certain medications, iron or vitamin deficiencies, and infections.
Small blood count: when are the values too high?
The increase in erythrocytes (erythrocytosis, polyglobulia) is often measured in mountaineers and is an adaptation of the body to the lower oxygen content in the mountain air. Doping also has the same effect in competitive sport. Other possible causes for increased erythrocyte values are tumors and a lack of oxygen in the case of lung or heart diseases.
An increase in leukocytes (leukocytosis) usually occurs in the context of infections and acute inflammations.
If the blood contains too many platelets (thrombocytosis), the risk of blood clots increases. Bone marrow diseases and malignant tumors should be excluded as causes here.
What to do if the values in the small blood count change?
Your doctor will discuss the results of a small blood count with you if necessary. He will explain any pathological changes, possible causes and any further examinations or treatment steps. For example, he can arrange for further blood tests to clarify a lack of erythrocytes more precisely. If the cause is iron deficiency, the patient is given substitute preparations, for example in the form of iron tablets. In contrast, leukocytosis in the context of infections normalizes itself in many cases.
If a small blood count shows minor deviations, there is usually no need to worry.
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