The most important blood tests (I)

There are very many blood tests (e. g. blood counts, lipids , iron, etc.) so a considered selection is important. These diagnostic tools reveal changes that may indicate diseases long before the patient experiences symptoms. Routine blood testing performed together with annual physical examinations yields valuable information about the state of health. Let us briefly review the most important blood parameters without going too much into details.

1. Why is the Complete Blood Count (CBC) so important? For detecting a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infections or leukemia, a CBC is the blood test of choice. It measures several cellular blood components.

• Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells) transport oxygen from the lungs to the organs and carbon dioxide from the organs to the lungs. As they pass through the lung capillaries, the iron atom of the hemoglobin attracts oxygen molecules and releases carbon dioxide; the very same iron binds carbon dioxide in the muscles and releases oxygen there. Hematocrit is the percentage of erythrocytes in total blood.

If one or more of these three factors (erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit) are lower than normal, then oxygen transport capacity is reduced. This may indicate iron- deficiency anemia, folic acid anemia or an amino acid deficit.

If they are higher than normal, it may indicate a medical condition, such as polycythemia vera or heart disease.

• Leukocytes (White Blood Cells) fight infections; some surround and destroy debris and foreign invaders while others produce antigen/antibody reactions. Leukocytes are increased in response to acute or chronic infections, stress and smoking. Unlike erythrocytes, leukocytes occur as many different types. Most are filled with tiny grains and are called granulocytes.

• Thrombocytes (Platelets) are small, irregularly shaped cell fragments that travel in the bloodstream and don’t possess nuclei. Thrombocytes help to prevent blood and fluid loss by clumping together to initiate the coagulation process. If the number of platelets are too low (thrombocytopenia), excessive bleeding can occur. However, if the number of platelets is too high (thrombocytosis), thrombosis can occur, which may obstruct blood vessels and may result in such events as a pulmonary embolism or blockage of blood vessels to other parts of the body, e. g. arms or legs, a stroke or a myocardial infarction .

2. Why should one examine lipids? A lipid panel yields the level of specific lipids in the blood. Everyone

knows of cholesterol, because it is everywhere in the media. An elevated cholesterol level itself does not cause any symptoms. However, a chronically high value over many years may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris, heart attacks and strokes.

The two most important lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides are transported within the blood by lipoproteins. Lipids are fats or fat-like substances, which are an important source of energy for our cells. The lipids measured with a lipid panel are classified according to their density into high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

What does a lipid panel include?

Cholesterol (total cholesterol) HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol): termed „good cholesterol“ has positive effects on the vessels and the cholesterol level. Unfortunately, a high HDL value can only partially compensate for a high LDL cholesterol value. Today’s therapy targets are predominantly based on the LDL values. LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol): often considered the „bad cholesterol“, because elevated LDL levels can cause vascular calcification with dangerous consequences, it may contribute to atherosclerosis. Triglycerides: triglycerides also have an unfavorable influence on the vessels (e.g. cardiovascular diseases) One cholesterol source is the diet (the direct uptake of fats). In addition, the body also produces cholesterol. On the one hand, an inherited predisposition may result in a high level of cholesterol in the blood. On the other hand, eating too many saturated fats and trans unsaturated fats has the same effect. An excess of cholesterol can form plaques on the walls of blood vessels . Those plaques narrow or block the blood vessel, leading to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and many degenerative health problems, e. g. heart disease and stroke.

EXERCISE: 1. Thrombocytes initiate the coagulation process. a) True b) False

2. Anemia is when the oxygen transport capacity is very high. a) True b) False

3. The only one cholesterol source is the diet. a) True b) False

You’ll find the answer on the next page

BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. http://dict.leo.org. 2. Weatherby D, Ferguson S: Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis, Bear Mountain Publishing 2016. 3. www.dict.cc. 4. www.webster-dictionary.org.

CARMEN LOBITZ Carmen Lobitz ist freie Trainerin, Lehrerin und MTA. Sie gründete 1998 in Berlin lobitz seminare, die unter anderem Englischseminare für Health Professionals anbieten. Kontakt: mail@lobitz-seminare.de www.lobitz-seminare.de

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Lösung für Exercise: 1. A 2. B 3. B

The most important blood tests (I)

1. Why is the Complete Blood Count (CBC) so important?

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The most important blood tests (I)

1. Why is the Complete Blood Count (CBC) so important?

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