Hematology
23 markers in this category
Basic Blood Count
A basic blood count measures three core values in your blood: hemoglobin, white blood cells and platelets. Together they say something about oxygen transport, immune defence and clotting. It is a simple baseline check, without the red-cell indices and white-cell differential of a complete blood count.
Basophils
Does your result say basophil granulocytes? Those are white blood cells, and there are fewest of these. In adults the basophil granulocyte value sits between 0 and 0.2 x10⁹/l. That is 0 to 2 percent of your white blood cells. A low value or a zero is normal and means nothing. A rise above 0.2 is uncommon and usually calls for a repeat first. That is because the machine counts this particular cell poorly. Below you can read in plain language what your number means. And when to take it to your GP.
Blood Type + Rh
A blood type test determines your ABO blood group and Rh factor. Knowing your blood type is essential for safe blood transfusions, organ transplants, and pregnancy planning.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
You have a result and see a row of abbreviations with numbers beside them. That is a complete blood count, sometimes called a general blood picture. It is not a single test but a panel. From one tube of blood, an analyser counts your red blood cells, your white blood cells and your platelets, and measures the amount of haemoglobin. That is why your blood count as a whole cannot be too high or too low. Individual values can. This page explains what you are looking at.
Coombs Test (Indirect)
The indirect Coombs test screens for unexpected antibodies in your blood that may react against red blood cells. It is an important test for transfusion safety and prenatal care.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils are white blood cells involved in allergic reactions and the defence against parasites. They are part of your complete blood count. A raised count is often seen with allergies, asthma or a parasitic infection, while a low count is usually not a concern.
Erythrocytes (RBC)
An erythrocyte (red blood cell) count measures the number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body and transporting carbon dioxide back for exhalation.
Haptoglobin
A haptoglobin test measures the level of haptoglobin protein in your blood. Haptoglobin binds to free hemoglobin released from damaged red blood cells, and its levels can help assess whether red blood cells are being destroyed faster than normal.
Hematocrit
Hematocrit, what is that exactly? It is simpler than the word suggests. Your blood consists of fluid and cells, and hematocrit says what percentage of it is cells. If your report says 0.44, then 44 percent of your blood is red blood cells. Because it is a percentage, how much fluid you have in your blood counts too. If you drank little on the day of the test, the number comes out higher. No cells were added. Your blood was simply a little more concentrated.
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is one of the most fundamental markers of blood health and oxygen-carrying capacity. As part of a comprehensive health assessment, tracking hemoglobin provides reassuring insight into your overall vitality and helps identify potential issues early.
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a laboratory technique that separates and identifies different types of hemoglobin in your blood. It is primarily used to detect hemoglobin variants and diagnose inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia.
Irregular Antibody Screening
An irregular antibody screening test detects unexpected antibodies in your blood that may react against foreign red blood cells. These antibodies can develop after transfusions, pregnancies, or immune stimulation and are important to identify for transfusion and pregnancy safety.
Leukocyte Differential
A leukocyte differential test measures the relative proportions of different types of white blood cells in your blood. It provides a detailed breakdown of your immune cell populations, offering valuable insight into your immune system's function.
Leukocytes (WBC)
Seeing "leukocytes" on your blood result and wondering whether your number is fine? Leukocytes are your white blood cells, the ones that clear up infections. The leukocyte count says how many of them are in your blood. At the laboratory that runs the test the ordinary adult range runs from 4.3 to 10.0 x10^9/L. Other labs use slightly different limits, so always check the reference value on your own result. Is your number just above or below it? That is often temporary and harmless. A cold, stress, smoking or not drinking enough already shift it.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are white blood cells central to your defence against viruses and to immune memory. They are part of your complete blood count. A high count often fits a viral infection, while a low count can occur with stress, certain infections or medications.
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)
MCH is the average amount of haemoglobin in one red blood cell, calculated from your haemoglobin and red cell count. A low value often points to iron deficiency, a high value to a B12 or folate shortage. Learn what your MCH can mean.
MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration)
MCHC is the average concentration of haemoglobin inside your red blood cells, calculated from your haemoglobin and haematocrit. A low value fits iron deficiency; a raised value is rare and usually checked before it is acted on. Learn what your MCHC can mean.
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)
MCV is the average size of a single red blood cell, measured in femtolitres (fl). The normal MCV range for adults is 80 to 100 fl, so if your result sits between those two numbers, your MCV value is normal. Below 80 fl your red cells are smaller than average; above 100 fl they are larger. Those three branches decide which value you check next: ferritin if the cells are small, vitamin B12 and folate if they are large. A result of 89, 92 or 94 fl is ordinary. This page explains in plain words what your number means and when it is worth acting on.
Monocytes
Is there a low monocyte count on your report? Then it usually is not a finding. The lower bound sits right next to the analyser's precision. A slightly low number therefore says little. Monocytes are the largest white blood cells. They clear away dead cells and pathogens. In your tissue they become macrophages. Below you can read why a low number so often means nothing. You can also read when the number does call for an explanation.
Neutrophils
Neutrophils are the most common white blood cells and part of your complete blood count. They respond quickly to bacterial infections and inflammation. A high count often fits an infection or inflammation, while a low count can make you more vulnerable to infections.
Platelets (Thrombocytes)
A platelet (thrombocyte) count measures the number of platelets in your blood. Platelets are small cell fragments essential for blood clotting, helping to stop bleeding when blood vessels are injured.
RDW
RDW (red cell distribution width) is part of your complete blood count and shows how much your red blood cells vary in size. A raised RDW can be an early clue to anaemia or a shortage of iron, vitamin B12 or folate. Your doctor reviews it together with your hemoglobin and MCV.
Reticulocytes
A reticulocyte count measures the number of young, immature red blood cells in your blood. It reflects how actively your bone marrow is producing new red blood cells and is a valuable indicator of bone marrow function.