CBC interpretation

RBC

The primary function of the red blood cells, or erythrocytes, is to carry oxygen from the lungs to body
tissues and to transfer carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Oxygen transfer is accomplished via
the hemoglobin contained in red blood cells. Hemoglobin combines readily with oxygen and carbon
dioxide. Hemoglobin gives arterial blood its bright red color; because venous blood has a low oxygen
content, it appears dark red. To enable the maximum amount of hemoglobin to be used, red cells are
shaped like biconcave disks. This shape provides more surface area for the hemoglobin to combine
with oxygen. Red blood cells are also able to change shape to permit passage through small capillaries
that connect arteries with veins.

The RBC is a count of the number of red blood cells per cubic millimeter of blood. In response to
hypoxia, the hormone erthyropoietin, secreted by the kidneys, stimulates the bone marrow to produce
red blood cells. The formation of red blood cells is known as erthyropoiesis.

Normal red blood cell values at various ages are:

Adults: (males): 4.6 - 5.9 million
(Females): 4.2-5.4 million
Pregnancy: slightly lower than normal adult values
Newborns: 5.5 - 6 million
Children: 4.6 - 4.8 million

Increase in Red Blood Cells

An increase in red blood cell mass is known as polycythemia. Normal physiological increases in the
RBC count occur at high altitudes or after strenuous physical training. At high altitudes, less
atmospheric weight pushes air into the lungs, causing a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen and
hypoxia. With strenuous physical training, increased muscle mass demands more oxygen. The drugs
gentamicin and methyldopa have been associated with increasing the number of red blood cells.
Smokers also have a higher number of red blood cells than non-smokers.

There are also pathological reasons for an increased number of red blood cells. Polycythemia vera is a
disease of unknown origin that results in an abnormal increase in red blood cells. Polycythemia vera is
referred to as a "primary polycythemia" because the overproduction of red blood cells does not result
from hypoxia. The term "vera" means true; thus polycythemia vera refers specifically to
overproduction of red blood cells in the bone marrow not caused by a physiologic need. Polycythemia
vera is treated by radioactive phosphorus to slow down bone marrow overproduction of red blood cells.
Patients with abnormally high red blood cell counts should have fluids withheld with caution, as a very
high RBC mass may cause intravascular clotting. Examples of "secondary polycythemias," that occur
in response to hypoxia, are chronic lung disease in adults and children with congenital heart defects
characterized by cyanosis.

Decrease in Red Blood Cells

A lower than normal RBC can result from a number of causes, including:

Massive RBC loss, such as acute hemorrhage

Abnormal destruction of red blood cells
Lack of substances needed for RBC production
Bone marrow suppression

The term "anemia" is a general term that refers to a decrease in red blood cells. Anemia can occur
from either a decrease in the number of red blood cells, a decrease in the hemoglobin content, or both.
Red blood cells live for approximately four months in the bloodstream.

A reticulocyte count measures the numbers of reticulocytes, immature forms of erythrocytes,

circulating in the bloodstream. Normal ranges for reticulocytes are 0.5% to 1.5% of the total numbers
of red blood cells in men and 0.5% to 2.5% in women. A low reticulocyte count is seen with cirrhosis,
folic acid deficiency, and bone marrow failure. A high reticulocyte count indicates that the bone
marrow is responding to the need for increased red blood cell production. A person who has recently
donated whole blood or who is responding to treatment for anemia would be expected to have a high
reticulocyte count.

Hematocrit

The hematocrit, also known as the "Hct", "crit" or PVC (packed cell volume) determines the
percentage of red blood cells in the plasma. The term hematocrit means "to separate blood." When the
patient's blood sample is spun in a centrifuge, the white blood cells and platelets rise to the top in what
is known as the "buffy coat." The heavier red blood cells sink to the bottom, where they can be
calculated as a percentage of the total blood sample.

Normal Hematocrit Values

Adults: (males): 45-52%, (females): 37-48%

Pregnancy: decreased hematocrit, especially in the last trimester as plasma volume increases
Newborn: up to 60%
Children: varies with age

If the RBC and the hemoglobin are both normal, it is possible to estimate the hematocrit as being
approximately three times the hemoglobin. For example, a person whose hematocrit is 30% would
have a hemoglobin of approximately 10 gm.

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is comprised of an iron containing pigment (heme) and a protein (globulin). Each gram of
hemoglobin can carry 1.34 ml of oxygen. The oxygen-combining ability of the blood is in direct
proportion to the hemoglobin concentration, rather than the numbers of red blood cells, because some
cells contain more hemoglobin than others. Hemoglobin also serves as an important pH buffer in the
extracellular fluid. Hemoglobin determination is used to screen for anemia, to identify the severity of
anemia, and to assist in evaluating the patient's response to anemia therapy.

Normal Hemoglobin Values

Adult: (males): 13 - 18 gm
(Females): 12 - 16 gm
Pregnancy: 11 - 12 gm
Newborn: 17 - 19 gm. 77% of this value is fetal hemoglobin, which drops to approximately 23% of the
total at 4 months of age
Children: 14-17 gm
Decreased Hemoglobin

Because hemoglobin is a component of all red blood cells, the conditions that cause a low RBC, such
as blood loss and bone marrow suppression, also produce a low hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin levels
are lowered in patients who have abnormal types of hemoglobin or hemoglobinopathies. Normal
hemoglobin in adults is almost all adult hemoglobin, with a very small percentage of fetal hemoglobin
(hgbF). Red blood cells with abnormal types of hemoglobin are often fragile and damaged or destroyed
easily in the vascular system. Hemoglobin electrophoresis can distinguish among specific types of
abnormal hemoglobin. In thalassemia major, the person has a high amount of fetal hemoglobin and
abnormalities in hemoglobin synthesis. In sickle cell anemia, the patient has an abnormal type of
hemoglobin known as sickle hemoglobin (hgbS).

Some patients have a normal RBC count but a low hemoglobin level. This situation occurs with iron-
deficiency anemia, in which red blood cells have less hemoglobin than normal. Iron deficiency anemia
is also referred to as hypochromic anemia. Hypochromic is a term that means "less than normal color."
In general, women need more iron in their diets than men, due to the regular loss of iron in the
menstrual flow. During pregnancy a woman's need for iron to build more hemoglobin increases. If a
woman becomes pregnant when she has low iron reserves, she is at risk of becoming severely anemic.
Regular hemoglobin testing is an important part of prenatal care. During the last trimester of
pregnancy, a condition known as "physiological anemia of pregnancy" occurs. This normal drop in
hemoglobin values results from an increase in the plasma volume. Multiple blood draws in premature
infants is a common cause of anemia.

Red blood cells that have abnormal hemoglobin are damaged or destroyed more easily than cells with
normal hemoglobin.

Critical Low and High Values of Hemoglobin

A hemoglobin value under 5 gm may cause heart failure.

A hemoglobin value over 20 gm may cause clogging of capillaries due to hemoconcentration.

Increased levels of hemoglobin are found in any condition in which the number of circulating red
blood cells rises above normal. Examples of conditions associated with increases in hemoglobin are
polycythemia vera, severe burns, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure.

When a patient has a lower than normal hemoglobin, it is important to determine whether red blood
cells are of normal size and if they have a normal concentration of hemoglobin. These measurements,
known as erythrocyte or red blood cell indices, provide important information about various types of
anemias.

Red Cell Size, Red Cell Hemoglobin and Hemoglobin Concentration

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) measures the mean or average size of individual red blood cells.
To obtain the MCV, the hematocrit is divided by the total RBC count. The MCV is an indicator of the
size of red blood cells. If the MCV is low, the cells are microcytic or smaller than normal. Microcytic
red blood cells are seen in iron deficiency anemia, lead poisoning and the genetic diseases thalassemia
major and thalassemia minor. If the MCV is high, the cells are macrocytic, or larger than normal.
Macrocytic red blood cells are associated with pernicious anemia and folic acid deficiencies. If the
MCV is within the normal range, the cells are referred to as normocytic. A patient who has anemia
from an acute hemorrhage would have a normocytic anemia.
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) measures the amount of hemoglobin present in one RBC. The
weight of hemoglobin in an average cell is obtained by dividing the hemoglobin by the total RBC
count. The result is reported by a very small weight called a picogram (pg).

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) measures the proportion of each cell taken
up by hemoglobin. The results are reported in percentages, reflecting the proportion of hemoglobin in
the RBC. The hemoglobin is divided by the hematocrit and multiplied by 100 to obtain the MCHC.

The MCH and the MCHC are used to assess whether red blood cells are normochromic, hypochromic,
or hyperchromic. An MCHC of less than 32% or an MCH under 17 pg. indicates that the red blood
cells are deficient in hemoglobin concentration. This situation is most often seen with iron deficiency
anemia.

Normal Values for Erythrocyte Indices

MCV:
Men: 80-90 cubic microns
Women: 82-98 cubic microns

MCHC - 32-36%
MCHC- 27-31 picomoles

Classification of Anemias Using Erythrocyte Indices

MCV, MCH and MCHC normal --- normocytic, normochromic anemia --- most often caused by acute
blood loss
Decreased MCV, MCH, and MCHC --- microcytic, hypochromic anemia --- most often caused by iron
deficiency
Increased MCV, variable MCH and MCHC --- macrocytic anemia --- most often caused by Vitamin
B12 deficiency (due to pernicious anemia) and folic acid deficiency

Abnormal erthryocyte indices are helpful to classify types of anemia. However, diagnosis must be
based on the patient's history, physical examination, and other diagnostic procedures.White blood cells,
or leukocytes, are classified into two main groups: granulocytes and nongranulocytes (also known as
agranulocytes).The granulocytes, which include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, have granules
in their cell cytoplasm. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils also have a multilobed nucleus. As a
result they are also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes or "polys." The nuclei of neutrophils also
appear to be segmented, so they may also be called segmented neutrophils or "segs." The
nongranuloctye white blood cells, lymphocytes and monocytes, do not have granules and have
nonlobular nuclei. They are sometimes referred to as mononuclear leukocytes.

WBCs (White Blood Cells)

Eosinophils

These cells have the purpose of giving large parasites such as helminths, a hard time. They attach via
C3b receptors, the C3b having been produced during the course of alternative pathway complement
activation by the helminth. The eosinophils release various substances from their eosinophilic granules.
These include major basic protein (MBP), plus cationic proteins, peroxidase, arylsulphatase B,
phospholipase D and histaminase. The granule contents are capable of damaging the parasite
membrane.

Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMNs)

Neutrophils, or neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes, respond to chemotactic signals and leave

capillaries by a complex process, involving margination (flowing nearer to the endothelial lining of
blood vessels), rolling and then attaching (margination), following which they emigrate between the
endothelial cells (extravasation, or diapedesis). Several mediators are involved. They include
substances produced by micro-organisms, and by the cells participating in the inflammatory process.
One such is a substance called interleukin-1 (IL-1), which is released by macrophages as a result of
infection or tissue injury. Another is histamine, released by circulating basophils, tissue mast cells, and
blood platelets. It causes capillary and venular dilatation. C3a and C5a produced during complement
activation, are chemotactic for phagocytic cells. Another group of substances produced are the acute
phase proteins. As a consequence of tissue damage, the liver produces a substance called C-reactive
protein (CRP), which is so called on account of its ability to attach to the C-polysaccharide component
of the cell wall of bacteria and fungi. This activates the complement system by the classical pathway,
and as a result C3a is formed and coats the organism, facilitating its phagocytosis.

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are produced within bone marrow (a primary lymphoid organ). If they achieve immune-
competence within the bone marrow, they are known as B cells, or if in the thymus (also a primary
lymphoid organ), they are known as T cells. Organized lymphoid tissue elsewhere is known as
secondary lymphoid tissue, and includes lymph nodes, adenoids, tonsils and mucosa associated tissue
(MALT). MALT includes bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), gut associated lymphoid
tissue (GALT), naso-phayngeal associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), and uro-genital associated
lymphoid tissue. These lymphoid organs receive antigens from the tissues and mucosal surfaces.
Antigens that succeed in invading the blood stream are intercepted in the spleen.

Lymphocytes respond to presented antigens by the production of antibodies (by B cells), to be

described later, or lymphokines (by T and B cells). These have many actions, including control of the
adaptive immune response by secondary action on the participating cells, and, in the case of cytolytic T
cells, in killing virally-infected host cells.

Lymphocytes possess receptors for these polypeptide antigens. The ability of a molecule or molecular
configuration to induce an immune response is spoken of as immunogenicity, and the molecule as an
immunogen. A molecule able to react with the ensuing antibody or T cell receptor is spoken of as an
antigen. Some antigens, whilst able to react, are unable to induce, i.e. they lack immunogenicity and
are known as haptens.

Monocytes

Monocytes circulate in the peripheral blood prior to emigration into the tissues. Within certain organs
they have special names, e.g. in liver they are known as Kupfer cells, in brain as microglia, in kidney as
mesangial cells, and in bone as osteoclasts. Elsewhere they are referred to as tissue macrophages.

Basophils
Basophils are non-phagocytic cells which, when activated, release numerous compounds from the
basophilic granules within their cytoplasm. They play a major role in allergic responses, particularly
type I hypersensitive reactions.

The lifespan of white blood cells ranges from 13 to 20 days, after which time they are destroyed in the
lymphatic system. When immature WBCs are first released from the bone marrow into the peripheral
blood, they are called "bands" or "stabs." Leukocytes fight infection through a process known as
phagocytosis. During phagocytosis, the leukocytes surround and destroy foreign organisms. White
blood cells also produce, transport, and distribute antibodies as part of the body's immune response.

The total number of white blood cells in a milliliter of blood, reported as an absolute number of "X"
thousands of white blood cells, and the percentage of each of the five types of white blood cells. This
test is known as a differential or "diff" and is reported in percentages. Normal values for total WBC
and differential in adult males and females are:

Total WBC: 5,000 - 10,000

Bands or Stabs: 3 - 5 %

Granulocytes (or polymorphonuclears)

Neutrophils (or segs): 50 - 70% relative value (3000-7000 absolute value)

Eosinophils: 1 - 4% relative value (50-400 absolute value)
Basophils: 0.5% - 1% relative value (25-100 absolute value)

Agranulocytes (or Mononuclears)

Lymphocytes: 25 - 40% relative value (1700-3400 absolute value)

Moncytes: 2 - 8% relative value (200-600 absolute value)

Each differential always adds up to 100%. To make an accurate assessment, consider both relative and
absolute values. For example a relative value of 70% neutrophils may seem within normal limits;
however, if the total WBC is 20,000, the absolute value (70% x 20,000) would be an abnormally high
count of 14,000.

Neutrophils

Neutrophils are so named because they are not well stained by either eosin, a red acidic stain, nor by
methylene blue, a basic or alkaline stain. Neutrophils, are also known as "segs", "PMNs" or "polys"
(polymorphonuclears). They are the body's primary defense against bacterial infection and physiologic
stress. Normally, most of the neutrophils circulating in the bloodstream are in a mature form, with the
nucleus of the cell being divided or segmented. Because of the segmented appearance of the nucleus,
neutrophils are sometimes referred to as "segs." The nucleus of less mature neutrophils is not
segmented, but has a band or rod-like shape. Less mature neutrophils - those that have recently been
released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream - are known as "bands" or "stabs". Stab is a
German term for rod.

Increased Neutrophil Count

An increased need for neutrophils, as with an acute bacterial infection, will cause an increase in both
the total number of mature neutrophils and the less mature bands or stabs to respond to the infection.
The term "shift to the left" is often used when determining if a patient has an inflammatory process
such as acute appendicitis or cholecystitis. This term is a holdover from days in which lab reports were
written by hand. Bands or stabs, the less mature neutrophil forms, were written first on the left-hand
side of the laboratory report. Today, the term "shift to the left" means that the bands or stabs have
increased, indicating an infection in progress.

For example, a patient with acute appendicitis might have a "WBC count of 15,000 with 65% of the
cells being mature neutrophils and an increase in stabs or band cells to 10%". This report is typical of a
"shift to the left", and will be taken into consideration along with history and physical findings, to
determine how the patient's appendicitis will be treated.

In addition to bacterial infections, neutrophil counts are increased in many inflammatory processes,
during physical stress, or with tissue necrosis that might occur after a severe burn or a myocardial
infarction. Neutrophils are also increased in granulocytic leukemia.

Decreased Neutrophil Count

A decrease in neutrophils is known as neutropenia. Although most bacterial infections stimulate an

increase in neutrophils, some bacterial infections such as typhoid fever and brucelosis and many viral
diseases, including hepatitis, influenza, rubella, rubeola, and mumps, decrease the neutrophil count. An
overwhelming infection can also deplete the bone marrow of neutrophils and produce neutropenia.
Many antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer produce bone marrow depression and can significantly
lower the neutrophil count. Types of drugs that can produce neutropenia include some antibiotics, the
psychotropic drug lithium, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants.

Platelets

Platelets are cell fragments formed in the bone marrow that circulate throughout the bloodstream.
Platelets are a critical part of the body's ability to help blood clot. When blood vessels break, platelets
form plugs that prevent further blood loss while healing takes place. Platelets live for approximately
nine to 12 days in the bloodstream.

A normal platelet count ranges between 150,000 and 450,000. Thrombocytopenia occurs when the
platelet count drops below 50,000. A thrombocytopenic patient is at high risk for bleeding if he or she
has an injury or a complicating condition that affects blood coagulation, such as hemophilia or liver
disease. When the platelet count drops below 20,000, the patient may have spontaneous bleeding that
may result in death. A report of "adequate platelets" implies that there is at least one platelet for every
20 red blood cells.

Critical low value for platelets - fewer than 50,000 platelets - places the patient at risk for bleeding
episodes with even minor trauma; a platelet count under 20,000 can cause spontaneous bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia occurs due to platelet destruction or impaired platelet production. In thrombotic

thrombocytopenic purpura and disseminated intravascular coagulation, platelets are used up rapidly,
and the platelet count falls significantly. Immune-related thrombocytopenic purpura, a condition that
may occur early in HIV disease, may result in platelet destruction. In this situation, the HIV patient
develops antibodies that attach to platelets as though they were an invading organism. When the
damaged platelets circulate through the spleen, the attached antibody destroys them. When the bone
marrow is suppressed due to radiation, chemotherapy, or other drugs that damage the bone marrow,
production of new platelets is impaired. Malignancies of the bone marrow, such as leukemia, often
cause the bone marrow to produce so many white blood cells that platelet production drops.
A patient with a platelet count of less than 20,000 is at high risk for spontaneous bleeding. Signs of
bleeding due to a low platelet count include:

Easy bruising
Unusual or heavy nosebleeds
Hematuria
Black, tar-like stools or frank bleeding with bowel movements
Hematemesis
Syncope or visual disturbances due to intracranial bleeding
Gingival bleeding
Heavy vaginal bleeding

Treatment for thrombocytopenia involves treating the disease condition that is affecting platelet
production or causing platelet destruction. Patients with thrombocytopenia may also receive platelet
transfusions when the platelet count is dangerously low.