Red blood cells produced in the bone marrow are called erythrocytes. Their transport function allows you to deliver oxygen to tissues at the cellular level and take carbon dioxide to the lungs. In addition to the main functionality, they take part in water-salt metabolism and regulation of blood acidity levels. For the normal functioning of the body, their quantity must correspond to age standards.
Normal indicators
The level of red blood cells contained in the bloodstream depends on the gender and age group of the patient. For a healthy person, the following level is acceptable:
- women – 3.7-4.7*1012 per liter;
- men – 4-5.1*1012 per 1 liter.
In childhood, the concentration of corpuscles constantly changes; for each month or day of a newborn’s life, there is a certain standard. Small fluctuations are observed after the first year of life, but the values are not particularly different from the same data for adults. At 12-13 years of age, the indicator is equal to adult values.
Selected reasons for women
Basically the same as in general. But there are some additional points. For example.
Menstrual cycle
A temporary and slight increase in the concentration of red blood cells is possible. Not necessarily, but it does happen. This cannot be called a pathological process. You don't need to do anything. Everything will return to normal on its own.
Pregnancy
The same applies to the gestational period. Especially often, an increase in the concentration of erythrocytes is observed at the initial stage and at the very end of the natural process. No special treatment is required.
Classification Features
There are two types of erythrocytosis:
- Primary hereditary – refers to genetic pathologies, is rare. The source of the development of the disease is the low susceptibility of oxygen receptors in the kidneys and increased levels of erythropoietin. A sign of the disease is a pronounced loss of strength, attacks of dizziness, a change in the standard shade of the skin and mucous membranes into purple shades, and reduced blood clotting.
- Secondary or acquired - provoked by oxygen starvation of cells, occurs against the background of neoplasms in the liver, kidneys, and respiratory organs.
If the primary form of pathology is ignored, there is a risk of vascular complications, including thrombus formation. The problem is related to changes in the rate of blood clotting.
Primary sources of increasing values
Changes of physiological nature are provoked by:
- severe emotional stress;
- severe dehydration;
- long-term sports activities;
- living in high mountain areas.
The pathological form of erythrocytosis is associated with:
- with erythremia - tumor damage to the hematopoietic organs;
- heart defects - when arterial and venous blood is mixed, there is an insufficient supply of oxygen to the tissues; to compensate for the deviation, the bone marrow begins to produce a larger number of red blood cells;
- neoplasms in the kidneys, pituitary gland, adrenal glands or liver - the organs are responsible for the disposal of old elements in the blood, the formation of the disease leads to the cessation of this function, the tests indicate a predominance of mature forms;
- diseases of the respiratory tract and heart, infectious pathologies - a large number of young or reticular types of elements are observed;
- primary pulmonary hypertension;
- Pickwick's syndrome caused by obesity, pulmonary insufficiency, high blood pressure.
Less dangerous sources of development of an increased number of red blood cells include:
- lack of digestive enzymes;
- dehydration due to heat or prolonged physical activity;
- low-quality water: with chlorine, contaminated, highly carbonated;
- vitamin deficiency or deficiency due to liver dysfunction;
- smoking.
Against the backdrop of a large number of reasons causing changes in tests, only a doctor can correctly determine the original source of the deviation.
Increased red blood cell count?
Our body is a complex mechanism that reacts sensitively to any internal disruptions.
Every cell in it is important, not to mention the role of blood. Without blood, the body cannot function. Therefore, each component of the blood must work like a clock. Today we’ll talk about red blood cells - erythrocytes. They carry oxygen from the lungs to all organs and tissues and take waste carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
In addition to this transport function, red blood cells participate in water-salt metabolism and regulate blood acidity. Therefore, for optimal functioning of all organ systems, it is necessary that the level of these cells in the body is within normal limits.
Changes in childhood
A pathological increase in the number of red blood cells in children is associated with various factors:
- with a low level of oxygen in maternal blood - the anomaly manifests itself in newborns;
- regular exposure of the baby to tobacco smoke (passive smoking);
- living in high mountain areas;
- regular sports activities.
A list of probable sources of deviation in children is presented:
- congenital heart defects;
- bone marrow dysfunction;
- hypertension in the pulmonary circulation;
- blood pathologies;
- obstructive pulmonary lesions with a chronic course;
- acute bronchitis, rhinitis or allergies;
- obesity of the last two degrees;
- dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhea;
- disruption of the adrenal cortex.
Serious diagnoses associated with changes in the number of red blood cells include cancer of the kidneys and liver. Erythrocytosis is not an independent disease; it indicates latent pathologies or the presence of external influence factors.
Blood chemistry
A laboratory blood test that gives an idea of the condition of internal organs and their functionality. Allows you to evaluate metabolism and find out about the lack of microelements in the body.
Due date and how to prepare
A biochemical blood test is taken in the morning on an empty stomach from a vein. You should not eat 12 hours before the test. You can only drink clean water, but drinks, including tea, coffee and any others, are not allowed. 24 hours before the test you must give up alcohol, smoking and physical activity.
Metrics collected
- Glucose
- blood sugar level; - Urea
is a parameter important for assessing kidney function; - Cholesterol
is an element that determines the risk of cardiovascular diseases; - LDL cholesterol
is an element that determines the risk of cardiovascular disease; - HDL cholesterol
is an element that determines the risk of cardiovascular disease; - Residual blood nitrogen
is a parameter important for assessing kidney function; - Atherogenicity coefficient (Ka)
- shows the risk of developing atherosclerosis; - Total bilirubin
is an indicator that may indicate the presence of jaundice; - Total protein
is an indicator that allows you to evaluate liver function; - AST (AST)
is an indicator that allows you to evaluate the work of the heart; - AlAt (ALT)
is an indicator that allows you to evaluate liver function; - Lipase
is an indicator that allows you to evaluate the functioning of the pancreas; - Amylase
is an indicator that allows you to evaluate the functioning of the pancreas; - Gamma-GTP
is an indicator that allows you to evaluate liver function; - Antistreptolysin-O
is an indicator that is used in the diagnosis of rheumatism; - Rheumatic factor
is an indicator that is used in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases; - CRP (C-reactive protein)
is an indicator that can indicate inflammation in the body; - Alkaline phosphatase
is an indicator of many different diseases and health problems; - Albumin
is a protein that performs many functions in the body; - General lipids
are fats that perform structural and regulatory functions in the body; - Triglycerides
are fats that perform structural and energy functions in the body; - Phospholipids
- an indicator that assesses the metabolism of fats in the body, indicating liver and kidney diseases, and indirectly diabetes mellitus; - Protein fractions
are indicators that may indicate inflammatory processes, infectious and other diseases in the body; - Calcium
is an important element for the nervous and cardiovascular systems; - Potassium
is an element that normalizes heart rhythm and regulates water balance; - Sodium
is an element that regulates the volume of extracellular fluid; - Chlorine
is an element that regulates the acid-base balance of the blood; - Iron
is an element important for binding, transporting and transmitting oxygen throughout the body.
Decoding the results: norm and deviation
The normal values of the blood parameters studied in each laboratory are different and depend on the gender, age and condition of the patient. Only a doctor can make a correct interpretation of the blood test results and make a diagnosis, taking into account all aspects of the patient’s health. Below are frequently examined blood parameters, their normal values, and what a deviation from the norm may indicate in the general case, and not in the specific case. To obtain an individual interpretation and diagnosis, you should consult a doctor.
Glucose
Norm
: 3.33 - 6.38 millimoles per liter;
Deviation
: May indicate diabetes mellitus or hypoglycemia.
Urea
Norm
: 2.5 - 8.3 millimoles per liter;
Deviation
: May indicate a kidney problem.
Cholesterol
Norm
: 3.6 mmol/l - 7.8 mmol/l;
Deviation
: may indicate obesity, endocrine disorders, genetic diseases and others.
LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
Norm
: 2.02 - 4.79 mmol/l (men), 1.92 - 4.51 mmol/l (women);
Deviation
: Excess may indicate liver disease, kidney disease, obesity and other diseases.
HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
Norm
: 0.72 - 1.63 mmol/l (men), 0.86 - 2.28 mmol/l (women);
Deviation
: A decrease may indicate various diseases and poor nutrition.
Residual blood nitrogen
Norm
: 14.3 - 28.6 mmol/l;
Deviation
: May indicate a kidney problem.
Atherogenic coefficient (Ka)
Norm
: 14.3 - 28.6 mmol/l;
Deviation
: May indicate a kidney problem.
Total bilirubin
Norm
: 8.5 - 20.55 µmol/liter;
Deviation
: May indicate liver problems and jaundice.
Total protein
Norm
: 48 - 73 grams per liter (newborns), 47 - 72 grams per liter (children up to one year old), 61 - 75 grams per liter (from 1 to 4 years), 52 - 78 grams per liter (from 5 to 7 years) , 58 - 76 grams per liter (from 8 to 15 years), 65 - 85 grams per liter (adults);
Deviation
: May indicate liver problems or nutritional deficiencies.
AsAt (AST)
Norm
: 10 - 38 IU/l;
Deviation
: May indicate problems with the heart.
AlAt (ALT)
Norm
: 7 - 41 IU/l;
Deviation
: May indicate liver problems.
Lipase
Norm
: 0 - 190 units per 1 ml of blood (adults), 0 - 130 units per 1 ml of blood (children);
Deviation
: may indicate problems with the pancreas.
Amylase
Norm
: less than 53 U/l;
Deviation
: may indicate problems with the pancreas.
Gamma-GTP
Norm
: 15 - 106 µmol/l (men), 10 - 66 µmol/l (women);
Deviation
: may indicate problems with the liver and a number of other diseases.
Antistreptolysin-O
Norm
: less than 200 units;
Deviation
: May indicate rheumatism.
Rheumatic factor
Norm
: less than 14 IU/ml;
Deviation
: May indicate autoimmune diseases.
CRP (C-reactive protein)
Norm
: 0 - 10 mg/l;
Deviation
: May indicate inflammation in the body.
Alkaline phosphatase
Norm
: 20 - 140 IU/l;
Deviation
: Can indicate many different diseases and health problems.
Albumen
Norm
: 35 - 52 g/l;
Deviation
: Can indicate many different diseases and health problems.
General lipids
Norm
: 4 - 8 g/l;
Deviation
: Can indicate many different diseases, aging and diets.
Triglycerides
Norm
: 0 - 2.25 mmol/l;
Deviation
: may indicate pathology of internal organs.
Phospholipids
Norm
: 2.52 - 2.91 mmol/l;
Deviation
: may indicate liver and kidney diseases, and indirectly diabetes mellitus.
Protein fractions
Norm
: total protein 65 - 85 g/l;
Deviation
: may indicate inflammatory processes, infectious and other diseases in the body.
Calcium
Norm
: 2.15 - 2.50 mmol/l;
Deviation
: can lead to diseases of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and others.
Potassium
Norm
: 3.5 - 5.5 mmol/l;
Deviation
: can lead to diseases of the cardiovascular, muscular system and others.
Sodium
Norm
: 136 - 145 mmol/l;
Deviation
: may indicate a malfunction of the kidneys, liver, endocrine system and other body systems.
Chlorine
Norm
: 98 - 107 mmol/l;
Deviation
: may indicate metabolic disorders and other diseases.
Iron
Norm
: 8.95 - 30.43 µmol/l;
Deviation
: Can lead to disruption of various body functions.
When to take it
A biochemical blood test must be taken:
- As prescribed by a doctor;
- As part of routine medical examinations and examinations;
- To assess the functioning of internal organs and the functionality of the body;
- To determine the need for microelements;
- For information about metabolism;
- After suffering from infectious or somatic diseases.
