Understanding Your Blood Counts Mona Walia RN BSc

Understanding Your Blood Counts Mona Walia, RN BSc. N, Patient Care Coordinator, Ambulatory Clinics L/BMT Program of BC - VGH, Blackmore Pavilion, 6 th Floor (LB 6)

A science: study of blood, blood-forming tissues, and blood diseases Two major areas: 1. Benign or general hematology 2. Malignant hematology (cancers of the blood and blood-forming tissues)

Stem Cells: The Mother Cell All blood cells start from a common mother (stem) cell in the bone marrow and develop into either RBC, WBC, PLTS - depending on what the body needs

Bone Marrow: Spongy Red Tissue in Bones Like a factory producing cells of the blood Continuous production of blood cells is needed all through life Image: Macmillan Cancer Support

Image: AAMAC

The Basics of (Good) “Phlebotomy”

Whole Blood: Four Parts Source: Hema-Quebec

Complete Blood Count: “CBC” Measures # of each blood type in your blood sample: 1. WBC: White blood cell 2. RBC: Red blood cells 3. PLTS: Platelets Most important routine test your doctor orders each visit

Source: https: //www. slideshare. net/drgauhar 1/cbc-43258873

WBC: Leukocytes “Fighter Cells” Fight infection by attacking and destroying germs Several types of different cells that make: Antibodies (memory) Directly fight infection

WBC differential looks at: 5 major types of WBC in healthy people

The neutrophil (or poly) is the most common: Defends against bacterial infection May be low in bone marrow failures May need prophylaxis antibiotics, antifungals May receive growth factor support A smiley neutrophil

The lymphocyte is the second most common: Fights bacterial and viral infections Recognizes undesirable (cancerous) cells & destroys these before they can multiply

Other WBC: The Gran’s & Monocytes

RBC: Erythrocytes “Oxygen Transporters” A change in level is often the first sign a person feels & alerts doctors something may be wrong RBC contains: Hemoglobin Hematocrit

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that picks up O 2 from lungs & carries it to all parts of the body Low HGB or RBC = anemia ✓ RBC transfusion Image: Medince. Net

Hematocrit (HCT) – Volume of RBC

PLTS: Platelets “Clot Blood” Stop bleeding & bruising by clumping together to form blood clots or plugs Low PLT = thrombocytopenia ü PLT transfusion

Things That Could Affect Your Test: Some tests require fasting 8 -12 hours before Some tests require you eat a few hours before Some medications raise or lower blood sugar Other factors such as pregnancy, stress, smoking, taking Vitamin C, exercise, caffeine beverages, alcohol, etc.

Thank you for inviting me to join you and speak at your support group meeting. Mona

References Aplastic Anemia & Myelodysplasia Association of Canada (AAMAC) https: //aamac. ca/ The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation (AAMDS) https: //www. aamds. org/ Health. Link BC – www. healthlinkbc. ca/medical-tests/hw 4260 The Leukemia / Bone Marrow Transplant Program of BC – www. leukemiabmtprogram. org The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC)- www. llscanada. org MDS UK Patient Support Group - https: //mdspatientsupport. org. uk/