Routine Hematological Tests

Routine Hematological Tests

Hemoglobin Determination

It is performed generally by two methods the Sahli method or the cyanmethemoglobin method:

Normal Values

Hb, g/dl

Men

14 - 18

Women

11.5 - 16.5

Children (up to 1 year)

11.0 - 13.0

Children (10 - 12 years)

11.5 - 14.5

Infants (full term cord blood)

3.5 - 19.5

	Decrease in hemoglobin below the normal range indicates anemia.
	It also drops in pregnancy due to hemodilution.
	An increase is also seen in congenital heart disease due to reduced oxygen supply.
	An increase in hemoglobin in emphysema.
	An increase in hemoglobin in polycythemia.

Various Blood Tests

Hemoglobin
Determination

Total Erythrocyte
(RBC) Count.

Total Leucocyte
(WBC) Count

Differential WBC
Count

Platelets Count

Abnormalities Of
Erythrocytes

Abnormalities Of
Leucocytes

Parasites

Packed Cell
Volume (PCV)

Mean Corpuscular
Volume (MCV)

Mean Corpuscular
Hemoglobin
(MCH)

Mean Corpuscular
    Hemoglobin
    Concentration
    (MCHC)

Color Index

Tabular
Representation Of
Normal Values

Glossary Of Terms Used

Total Erythrocyte (Red Blood Cells) Count Normal Erythrocyte

Normal values:

Male - 4.5 to 6.0 x 10⁶cells/cu mm (ml)

Female -4.0 to 4.5 x 10⁶cells/cu mm (ml)

At birth - 6.5 to7.25 x 10⁶cells/cu mm (ml)

A decrease in RBC count as also observed in old age,
in pregnancy and in diseases which cause anemia.

An increase in the RBC count is observed in burns and cholera due to fluid loss.

An increase in the RBC count is also observed in chronic heart disease, emphysema and polycythemia.

Sometimes, false low counts can be due to edema, an error in calculation or due to improper dilution by the technician.

Sometimes, false high counts can be due to hemoconcentration, an error in calculation or due to an improper technique used by the technician.

Total Leucocyte (White Blood Cells) Count

Normal values

Adults	4,000 - 10,000 /cu mm (ml).
At birth	10,000 - 25,000 /cu mm (ml).
1 to 3 years	6,000 - 18,000 /cu mm (ml).
4 to 7 years	6,000 - 15,000 /cu mm (ml).
8 to 12 years	4,500 - 13,500 /cu mm (ml).

If there is an increase in the total WBC count and it is more than 10,000/cu mm (ml), it is known as leucocytosis.

Causes Of Leucocytosis

Pathological

	It occurs due to bacterial, viral, protozoal (malaria) or parasitic (filaria, hook worm) infections.
	It is also observed in severe hemorrhage and in leukemia.

Physiological

	At birth, the count is high and about 18,000/cu mm (ml), It gradually drops.
	In full-term pregnancy, it goes to 12,000 to 15,000/cu mm (ml). It rises soon after delivery, and then returns to normal gradually.
	Due to high temperature.
	Due to severe pain.
	Due to muscular exercise.

If there is a decrease in WBC count and it falls to less than 4,000/cu mm (ml), it is known as leucopenia.

Causes Of Leucopenia

	Bacterial infections like typhoid, paratyphoid, tuberculosis etc. reduces the count.
	Viral infections like hepatitis, influenza, and measles also reduce the count.
	Protozoal infections like malaria reduce the count.
	Leukemia does it too.
	Primary bone marrow depression (aplastic anemia).
	Secondary bone marrow depression (due to drugs, radiation etc.).
	Anemia (iron deficiency, megaloblastic etc.)

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