Hematology 1 Flashcards
The most commonly ordered lab test
Information on Cellular elements of blood: concentration & characteristics
CBC
Normal RBC counts
males 4.5 – 5.9 x 106 cells/L; females 4.1 – 5.1 x106 cells/L
RBC count below normal
anemia
RBC count above normal
polycythemia
Increased production of immature RBCs
Reticulocytosis
Normal range of Hemoglobin
males= 14 – 17.5 g/dL; females= 12.3 – 15.3 g/dL
Low hemoglobin
anemia
Normal range of hematocrit
males 42-50%;
females 36- 45%
Low hematocrit
anemia
Normal range of MCV
80- 96 fL/cell
Causes of High MCV
“macrocytic”
Causes= Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency
Causes of Low MCV
“microcytic”
Causes = Iron deficiency
Normal range of MCH
27- 33 pg/cell
Causes of High MCH/Normochromic
Causes= Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency (normochromic)
Causes of Low MCH/Hypochromic
Causes = Iron deficiency = hypochromic (pale)
Normal range of RDW
11.5 – 14.5%
High RDW
indicates variation in RBC size= “anisocytosis”
Seen in Iron deficiency or macrocytic anemias
Normal range of reticulocytes
0.5 to 2.5% of total RBCs
Causes for ↑’s in reticulocytes
Acute RBC destruction or loss