|
Determination
Of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
When
anti-coagulated blood is allowed to stand undisturbed for some time, the
red blood cells start to settle down. The rate at which red blood cells
settle down is known as the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
It
is done by three methods:
-
Westergren's
method.
-
Wintrobe's
method.
-
Micro-sedimentation
(Landau) method.
Normal
Range
|
Method
|
Male
|
Female
|
|
Westergren's
method
|
0-15
mm. after 1st hour
|
0-20
mm. after 1 hour
|
|
Wintrobe's
method
|
0-9mm.after
1st hour
|
0-20
mm. after 1 hour
|
|
Landau
method
|
0-5
mm after 1st hour
|
0-8
mm after 1 hour
|
 |
ESR
is increased in infections like tuberculosis, rheumatic fever,
myeloma, Kala Azar, other chronic infections.
|
|
ESR
is greater in women than men due to difference in PCV (Packed
Cell Volume).
|
|
In
certain anemias, ESR gradually increases after the third month and returns
to normal after three to four weeks after delivery.
|
|
ESR
is low in infants and gradually increases as the child grows to puberty.
|
|
The
determination of ESR is useful in checking the progress of disease.
The changes of ESR are not diagnostically of any specific disease.
|
Determination
of Platelet Count.
To investigate bleeding disorders,
determination of platelets is required.
Normal range: 2,50,000 - 5,00,000/cu
mm (ml).
Many times prolonged bleeding and poor
clot formation is due to Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count).
It is also found in aplastic anemia,
megaloblastic anemia, hypersplenism and acute leukemia.
Thrombocytosis (increased platelet
count) is found in polycythemia vera, following splenectomy and in chronic
myelogenous leukemia.
Splenectomy - is the surgical removal
of the spleen.
Hypersplenism - in this spleen is
enlarged.
Meaning of other terms is given in
routine blood tests.
Determination Of Reticulocyte Count
 It
is done to determine red cell forming activity of the bone marrow.
Normal
Range:
|
Adults
- 0.2 to 2 per cent
|
|
Infants
- 2 to 6 per cent
|
Reticulocyte
is a precursor of Red Blood Cells (RBCs). Reticulocyte count is reflection or
erythropoetic activity (red blood cell forming activity) of the bone marrow.
|
Increase
in the number of reticulocyte indicates increased activity of the bone
marrow, in hemolytic anemia or acute blood loss. It is known as
reticulocytosis.
|
|
Absence
or low count of reticulocytes indicates bone marrow suppression in
aplastic anemia.
|
|
