A blood count provides information about diseases and helps the doctor with the diagnosis. You should therefore know these blood values of a small blood count.
Blood not only transports all the important nutrients and messenger substances to the organs, but also supplies them with oxygen. It also disposes of degradation products such as carbon dioxide and contains the cells of the immune system. The blood values are therefore crucial for doctors for a diagnosis, as they provide important information. The doctor can use the small blood count to check, for example, whether there is an infection. This consists of eight important blood values that you should know.
Small blood count: Eight blood values - and what they mean
Blood levels depend on many factors. Stress, heavy physical exertion, pregnancy or medication can influence it, for example. Therefore, a blood count is always just a snapshot. If your values deviate from the reference values of the laboratory, then that is not a reason to worry. If in doubt, a doctor will draw blood several more times. In this way he can control how the values develop. The following blood values can be checked with a small blood count:
- Hb (hemoglobin): Hemoglobin is the red blood pigment. Based on this value, the doctor can see, for example, whether there is an iron deficiency or anemia.
- WBC, leuk/leuko (leukocytes): The white blood cells are responsible for rendering bacteria and viruses harmless in the body and are therefore part of the immune system. When you have the flu or other viral infections or autoimmune diseases, the white blood cell count is lower than normal. A value that is too low can also be an indication of cancer or a disease of the bone marrow. Rheumatism medication and some painkillers also reduce the leukocyte count. If, on the other hand, the values are too high, stress, pregnancy, leukemia or medication such as cortisone can be responsible.
- RBC or Ery (erythrocytes): In addition to white blood cells, red blood cells exist in the human body. These contain the red blood pigment hemoglobin and are responsible in particular for the transport of oxygen. In the case of iron deficiency, anemia or bleeding (due to operations, internal bleeding or menstruation), the value is too low. An increased erythrocyte value, on the other hand, can be a sign of heart or lung diseases.
- PLT or Thro/Throm (platelets): Platelets are important in blood clotting. In the case of injuries, they attach themselves to the tissue and form blood clots. If the values are too high, there may be a disease of the blood-forming cells. On the other hand, a value that is too low can indicate, for example, a particular form of anemia (aplastic anemia), impaired blood formation (myelodysplastic syndrome), a disease of the blood vessels, blood cells and kidneys (hemolytic-uremic syndrome) or Werlhof’s disease.
- Hct, Hkt/Hk (Hematocrit): The hematocrit value provides information about the number of red blood cells in the blood. It also shows how fluid the blood is. If the values are too high, polyglobules may be present. This is an increased formation of red blood cells – either as an independent disease or as a result of heavy smoking, kidney tumors or a heart and lung disease. Overhydration or blood loss can be read from values that are too low.
- MCHC (mean concentration of hemoglobin in erythrocytes): MCHC is the proportion of the blood pigment hemoglobin in the total mass of red blood cells. If the values are too low, there may be an iron deficiency. Diseases of the red blood cells, on the other hand, lead to high values.
- MCV (Mean cell volume of a single red blood cell): The MCV provides information about the size of the red blood cells. A strongly deviating MCV value can indicate anemia due to folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency, cirrhosis of the liver or alcoholism. Together with other values, it also helps to diagnose anemia (low blood count) or a lack of iron, copper or vitamin B6.
- MCH, HbE (amount of hemoglobin per erythrocyte): This value shows the average amount of blood pigment in a single red blood cell. In combination with the two previous values, it says something about how well the oxygen transport in the blood works. It also indicates whether there is an iron deficiency or other deficiencies.
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Keep an eye on blood values - for a healthy and long life
If you want to lead a healthy and long life, you should keep an eye on your blood values. There are blood values that are particularly relevant for a healthy life that is as long as possible. In addition to the small blood count, doctors can also order a large blood count. This consists of the values of the small blood count and a special examination. This is a differential blood count of the different types of white blood cells (leukocytes).
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about clinical pictures.