General health blood test: full panel

What does a general blood test involve?

A general blood test at Easly consists of a finger prick test. Using this blood test, you will find out the value of several different blood cells, including the value of platelets (thrombocytes), red (erythrocytes) and white (leukocytes) blood cells, among others.

With this preventive health check you obtain a clear overview of your health.

Why should I have my blood tested for anything?

A comprehensive blood test gives the most complete picture of your health. Blood consists of several parts: fluid or plasma (containing all kinds of dissolved substances) and the blood cells. Therefore, in many cases it is less useful to measure only the value of a single substance.

When something is wrong with your blood, it can lead to different symptoms, depending on where the problem occurs. Below we have listed what blood cells we test for and why it is important:

Hemoglobin (Hb).
Hemoglobin is a protein and part of the red blood cell. Each red blood cell contains over 200 million hemoglobin proteins. It plays a very important role in the oxygenation of organs and tissues. A normal hemoglobin value is different for men and women, with lower values being accepted for women, especially pregnant women. Low hemoglobin levels will eventually lead to oxygen deprivation at the tissue level and can have serious consequences. Hemoglobin levels may also be too high. This can occur as a result of dehydration, lung diseases, bone marrow disorders and from staying at high altitudes.

Hematocrit (Ht)
Hematocrit measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. High hematocrit can have two causes: dehydration or excess red blood cells. A lowered hematocrit indicates anemia. A normal hematocrit is slightly higher for men than for women.

Red blood cells (erythrocytes).
Red blood cells are also called erythrocytes. Erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow and contain hemoglobin. They are essential for oxygen transport to organs and tissues. A deficiency of red blood cells is called anemia or anemia.

White blood cells (leukocytes)
White blood cells are also called leukocytes and are part of the immune system. The various types of leukocytes all play their own role in protecting against infection. A normal value falls approximately between 4 and 10 and does not depend on gender. An increase in leukocytes is called leukocytosis and often indicates infection. There are also other causes for high white blood cell counts, such as leukemia, severe stress, injury or burns. Of course, too low a value of leukocytes is also possible. This is called a leukopenia.

Platelets (thrombocytes)
Platelets or thrombocytes, like erythrocytes, are made in the bone marrow. Platelets are an essential part of blood clotting – the process that causes a wound to stop bleeding. A normal value ranges between 150 and 400. Too low a value (thrombocytopenia) can lead to bleeding. A value below 30 can be very dangerous and requires immediate attention from a physician. Excessive levels (thrombocytosis) can be caused by such things as infections, iron deficiency and bone marrow disorders.

MCV, MCH, MCHC
The average red blood cell size can be measured. This measurement was named MCV and stands for mean corpuscular volume. Based on this measurement, the cause of anemia can be identified. For example, abnormal values may indicate deficiencies in B12 or iron. A normal MCV is about between 80 and 100.

Symptoms to test blood values

Therefore, because the general blood test contains so many different values, the range of symptoms when there is any abnormality in one or more of the blood values, can also be very diverse. One of the most common abnormalities in blood tests is an abnormality in hemoglobin (Hb). This usually involves a deficiency in hemoglobin. This is also called anemia or anemia.

Symptoms consistent with anemia are:

• Fatigue
• Short of breath on exertion
• Pale skin
• Tinnitus
• Feeling of fainting
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations
• Wounds that don’t stop bleeding
• Gum bleeding
• Nosebleeds
• Bruising
• Small red dots in the skin (petechiae)

With this preventive health check to your blood count, you get a clear overview of your overall health. If necessary, our doctors give their Medical Interpretation & Opinions.

Keep in mind that normal values always vary by laboratory.

• A normal hemoglobin is different for men and women. For men, a normal Hb is approximately between 8.5 and 11, for women between 7.5 and 10.
• A normal hematocrit is also different for men and women. For men, approximately the range: 40% to 50%; for women, approximately the range 35% to 45%
• An erythrocyte value considered normal depends on gender. For men, a range approximately between 4.4 and 5.8 and for women, a range approximately between 4 and 5.3.
• The leukocyte value is the same for men and women and is approximately in the range 4 to 10.
• The platelet value should normally fall in the range of 150 to 400.
• The MCV value normally falls roughly in the range 80 to 100.