Hematology

Question 1

Hemoglobin: (men) and (women)

Answer 1

13-17 g/dl (men)

12-15 g/dl (women)

Hemoglobin - a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the red blood cells. Molecule consists of four subunits, each containing an iron atom bound to a heme group.

Question 2

Hematocrit: (men) and (women)

Answer 2

40-52% (men)

36-47% (women)

Hematocrit - ratio of volume of red blood cells to total volume of blood. Centrifuge is the instrument to spin RBC’s for measurement.

Question 3

Glycosylated hemoglobin

Answer 3

4-6%

Glycosylated hemoglobin - Glucose stays attached to the red blood cells hemoglobin for the life of the RBC (normally 120 days), level of glycosylated hemoglobin reflects average blood glucose level over past 3 months. Less than 7% is normal. Aka A1C test.

Question 4

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV):

Answer 4

80-100 fl

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): Measures 3 main corpuscles in the blood - red blood cell, white blood cell, platelets. MCV blood test measures average size of red blood cells (erythrocytes). If they’re too small or large - could be a sign of blood disorder: anemia, vitamin deficiency, etc.

Question 5

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW):

Answer 5

11.5-14.5%

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW): Measures amount of red blood cell variation in volume and size. Results may be higher if more cells are larger or smaller than normal. Used to evaluate - cancer, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, thalassemia (inherited blood disorder involving decreased hemoglobin levels), etc.

Question 6

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC):

Answer 6

30-35 g/dl

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC): Measurement of how much hemoglobin is inside one red blood cell.

Question 7

Reticulocytes

Answer 7

0.5-1.5%

Reticulocytes - Measurement of new red blood cells (reticulocytes) in body. Immature red blood cells that form and mature in the bone marrow before being released into the bloodstream.

Question 8

White blood cells (WBC):

Answer 8

WBC Count:

4,000 to 10,000 WBC per microliter.

Or

4.0-10.0 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

Or

4-10 x 10^9/L (x = 1,000).

Leukocytes - low number is called leukopenia. Count less than 4,000 cells per microliter (4x10^9/L) is below normal. Immune cells, generally largest cell type found in blood, reside in lymphatic system, formed in bone marrow.

Question 9

Neutrophils

Answer 9

Neutrophils:

2,800 to 10,000 neutrophils per microliter.

Or

2.8 - 10.0 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

Or

2.8 x 10^9/L (x = 1,000).

• approximately
  42. 0 - 71.0% of WBC’s.
• “AUTO” = % and “ABSOLUTE” = exact number within WBC’s found.
  Type of white blood cell most prevalent, increase in response to infections, injuries, body stress.

Question 10

Bands

Answer 10

Bands:

Less than 1,000 Bands per microliter.

Or

< 1.0 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

Or

< 1 x 10^9/L (x = 1,000).

Bands are an intermediary step prior to becoming mature neutrophils. Increase typically means bone marrow has been signaled to release more WBC’s, also know as a “left shift”. Often due to infection or inflammation of body.

Question 11

Lymphocytes

Answer 11

Lymphocytes:

1,000 to 4,000 lymphocytes per microliter.

Or

1.0 - 4.0 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

Or

1-4 x 10^9/L (x = 1,000).

• approximately
  19. 0 - 46% of WBC’c.

Two main types: B cells and T cells - responsible for immune defense.

Question 12

Monocytes

Answer 12

Monocyte:

0.2 - 0.8 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

Or

0.2-0.8 x 10^9/L.

• approximately
  4. 0 - 13.0 % of WBC’s.

Large WBC formed in bone marrow, enters blood, migrates to connective tissue where it differentiates into a macrophage. Initiate phagocytosis.

Question 13

Eosinophils

Answer 13

Eosinophils:

Less than 0.5 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

Or

< 0.5 x 10^9/L (x = 1,000).

• approximately
  0. 0 - 6.0% of WBC’s.

WBC linked with allergic diseases and certain infections.

Question 14

Platelets

Answer 14

Platelets:

150 - 400 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

Or

150-400 x 10^9/L (x = 1,000).

Thrombocytes whose function (along with coagulation factors) is to react to bleeding from blood vessel injury by clumping and initiating a blood clot.

Question 15

Prothrombin time (PT):

Answer 15

11-14 sec

Prothrombin time test measures how quickly your blood clots. Sometimes called a PT or pro time test. Prothrombin is a protein produced by your liver. One of many factors in blood that help it clot appropriately.

Question 16

International normalized ratio (INR):

Answer 16

0.9-1.2

International normalized ratio (INR): Blood clotting measurement. Calculated from the prothrombin time result and used to monitor how well blood-thinning meds (anticoagulants) such as warfarin (Coumadin) is working to prevent blood clots.

Question 17

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT):

Answer 17

20-40 sec

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): Evaluates ability to form clots appropriately. Assesses amount and function of certain proteins in blood called coagulation or clotting factors.

Question 18

Fibrinogen

Answer 18

1.8-4 g/L

Fibrinogen (factor 1) is a glycoprotein (plasma protein) produced in the liver and converted enzymatically by thrombin into fibrin during bleeding to produce blood clot formation.

Question 19

Bleeding time

Answer 19

2-9 min

Bleeding time - Assesses platelet function and body’s ability to form a clot. A small puncture is made in the superficial skin and monitored for time needed to stop bleeding - until site appears “glassy” - aka clotted off.

Question 20

Basophils

Answer 20

Basophils:

0.0 - 0.2 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

• approximately
  0. 0 - 2.0% of WBC’s.

WBC that plays role in allergic reactions, produce antibody immunoglobulin IgE (histamine), also contain heparin (blood thinning substance).

Question 21

Immature Granulocytes

Answer 21

Immature Granulocytes:

0.00 - 0.04 K/uL (K = 1,000 and uL = microliter).

• approximately
  0. 0 - 1.0% of WBC’s.

With exception from neonates or pregnant women, appearance of immature granulocytes in peripheral blood indicates an early-stage response to infection, inflammation or other stimuli of bone marrow.