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Health Matters - page 2
Smaller cells suggest iron deficiency. Large cells suggest B12 or Folic Acid deficiency (B12 pernicious anemia) and/or inefficient production in bone marrow or blood loss.
*MCH: “mean corpuscular hemoglobin” - this is the measure of the “weight” of the hemoglobin in each cell.
*MCHC: “mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration” - this measures the concentration of the hemoglobin in the red blood cell. It is used to monitor the progress of therapy in treating anemia.
*Platelets: these are responsible for blood clotting so we don’t bleed to death. They can increase in polycythemia malignant cancers, and leukemia. They also can decrease in anemia and infection.
*White blood cells. These are the immune system ranging from 5,000 - 10,000/mm3. They increase with infection, inflammation, malignant cancers and leukemia. They can decrease in overwhelming bacterial infection (where the body cannot keep up with the need for cells), viral infection, and chemotherapy. Within the white blood cell population we have some important differentials that may be seen.
*Neutrophils: They fight bacterial infections. If immature cells (AKA “Bands”) are increased it suggests a difficult infection that the body is struggling with because these are immature cells not yet fully developed.
*Lymphocytes: They fight viral infections like, colds, mononucleosis, and measles. They may be seen to decrease if a bacterial infection is present.
*Monocytes: These cells remove dead and injured cells, microorganisms and other substances from the blood. They get busy with chronic disorders and diseases.
*Eosinophils: These are found in allergies.
*Basophils: They contain chemicals like histamines and seratonin which are released in a variety of reactions from stress to infection to stress.
When you see your blood work, ask your physician to explain what values are off and what that could possibly mean. If you understand more of what is going on you have a better “target” to apply your mind to make any changes you need.
To your health,
Gordie
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