What you need to know about the blood count test

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Pham Thi Thuy Nhung - Head of Laboratory Department - Laboratory Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

A complete blood count is the most basic of all hematological investigations. Most of the time, blood tests are needed, the numbers on the blood count are always the first concern, capable of almost comprehensively reflecting the function of the organ systems. However, not everyone understands the content on this test return paper.

Blood can be considered an organ in the body, although it has no definite shape or structure. The role of blood is to transport oxygen and nutrients along the circulatory system to each cell; At the same time, it also receives carbon dioxide and waste products from intracellular metabolism, in addition, blood is responsible for immune function and blood clotting. In other words, if the blood is sick, it will be difficult for other organ systems to remain unaffected. Blood has two main components: blood cells and plasma. A complete blood count is an examination of the blood cell types for the number, size, and morphology of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

2.1 Examination of red blood cells:
We see red blood because of the color of iron inside red blood cells. This is also the most abundant type of blood cell. Measuring the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells gives information about whether we are anemic or not. Normally, men will have a physiologically higher red blood cell count than women. The size and shape of red blood cells indicate what the cause of anemia is. In particular, anemia with small red blood cells is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia, especially in pregnant women, women of menstrual age, developing children or people who are exhausted, eat healthy food. Poor drinking, Thalassemia, hemoglobinopathy...
If the patient has too low a red blood cell count, making the body tired, dizzy, low blood pressure, chest heaviness, shortness of breath, a blood transfusion is required. In most cases, a blood transfusion is now a red blood cell transfusion.
2.2 Examination of white blood cells:
The size of white blood cells is larger than red blood cells, taking on the main function of immunity. When germs enter the body, it is the protective barrier of white blood cells that detects and quickly mobilizes more white blood cells to the infection site. White blood cells release chemicals inside the cell to kill bacteria and stop the spread. At the same time, white blood cells will also create memory antibodies, ready to neutralize the bacteria if the body is infected with that agent again.
Therefore, examining the number of white blood cells in the blood count helps to identify whether the body has an infection or not. If the white blood cell count is too high, it means that there is a serious infection of the organ. Sometimes white blood cells do not completely destroy bacteria, but also need the help of antibiotics. At the same time, if the patient has a fever, a cold, a runny nose, but the test does not show an increase in white blood cells, the doctor will think more about the possibility of a viral infection, which will go away on its own after 5 to 7 days. Antibiotics are not needed in these situations.
In addition, white blood cells may also be increased in some people who are prone to allergies such as food allergies, skin allergies, allergic rhinitis, asthma or parasitic infections.
2.3 Platelet Examination
Platelets are not seen as a single cell but as a fragment of a macrocytic cell. Their size is very small, many times smaller than red blood cells and white blood cells. Platelets have no color. The function of platelets is to participate in the first stage of hemostasis.
When blood vessels are injured, platelets will gather at this point and stick together to form a block that seals the wound, preventing bleeding.
The number of platelets reflects whether the coagulation function is guaranteed or not, especially significant if the patient requires surgery. People with too low platelet count will have symptoms of bleeding that is difficult to stop, natural bruises on the skin, bleeding teeth, bleeding in the brain... Therefore, if there are these signs, a test A complete blood count to see the platelet count is essential.

Similar to regular blood tests, to do a blood count, a nurse will insert a needle into your vein, draw very little blood, and store it in a test tube with anticoagulant. After that, the blood will be put into the machine, count the number and describe the size of the cells by an automatic machine instead of before, technicians have to stain and count with the naked eye under an optical microscope. The more modern equipment and machinery will give more accurate results with shorter time.
In summary, a blood count is a routine basic test, and at the same time, it is difficult to conclude any disease without a complete blood count. Today, this test is extremely popular, easy to perform, inexpensive, but provides a lot of necessary information.
Blood count test can be done individually or in all packages of General Health Checkup of Vinmec. To protect your health and timely detect diseases through blood count tests, you should check your health every 6 months for health advice and effective disease prevention.
Master. Doctor. Nhung has 15 years of experience in the field of hematology with the areas of blood transfusion, cell, coagulation. Before being the Head of Laboratory Department of Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital, he used to work at the Hematology - Blood Transfusion Center - Viet Tiep Hai Phong Hospital, the Hematology Department - Hai Phong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.