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Understanding Your Blood Counts

Learn about the basics of blood counts, the different types of blood cells, and how they play a role in your health. This guide covers the importance of stem cells, the function of white blood cells, the significance of red blood cells, and the role of platelets in clotting. Discover how a complete blood count (CBC) can provide valuable information about your overall health.

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Understanding Your Blood Counts

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  1. Understanding Your Blood Counts Mona Walia, RN BScN, Patient Care Coordinator, Ambulatory Clinics L/BMT Program of BC - VGH, Blackmore Pavilion, 6th Floor (LB6)

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

  3. 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

  4. Bone Marrow: SpongyRed 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

  5. Image: AAMAC

  6. The Basics of (Good) “Phlebotomy”

  7. Whole Blood: Four Parts Source: Hema-Quebec

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

  9. Source: https://www.slideshare.net/drgauhar1/cbc-43258873

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

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

  12. 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

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

  14. Other WBC: The Gran’s & Monocytes

  15. 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

  16. Hemoglobinis a protein in red blood cells that picks up O2 from lungs & carries it to all parts of the bodyLow HGB or RBC = anemia✓ RBC transfusion Image: MedinceNet

  17. Hematocrit (HCT) – Volume of RBC

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

  19. 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.

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

  21. References • Aplastic Anemia & Myelodysplasia Association of Canada (AAMAC) - https://aamac.ca/ • The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation (AAMDS) - https://www.aamds.org/ • HealthLink BC – www.healthlinkbc.ca/medical-tests/hw4260 • 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/

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