Posts Tagged ‘Complete Blood Count’

The Normocytic Anemia Guide

Comments: 0April 13th, 2011 by admin



When it comes to anemia types, the type that is identified as normocytic anemia is considered to be the most common. Individuals that suffer from this blood disorder have red blood cells that are considered to be average or normal. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the blood cells are relatively normal, there are not enough of them produced on a regular basis.

Individuals that have this condition may be born with the condition and others may develop it later in life due to some type of infection or disease in general. In most instances, the blood disorder is caused by a chronic based disease.

Symptoms

When a person first develops this particular form of anemia, there usually are not any symptoms. Seeing that the progression of the condition is relatively slow, symptoms of this form of Anemia may not be experienced for quite some time. Over time, the skin may become a pale color.

This discoloration may be noticed on the lips of the sufferer as well. In some cases, a sufferer will experience a general lack of energy and high levels of fatigue. While experiencing this fatigue, the sufferer may notice that they become weak. In more severe forms of the condition, dizziness may also be experienced.

Conclusion

While normocytic anemia is a relatively common type of anemia that has the fewest symptoms altogether, it is a condition that may prove to be challenging for the person suffering from it. With symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and general body weakness it is understandable that treatment should be sought so that day to day activities may be pursued.

When an evaluation is performed by a doctor, it will usually involve a complete blood count or CBC test and a physical examination. Once the results from the CBC are finalized, the doctor will be able to confirm whether or not an individual is suffering from Normocyte Anemia.

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Normocytic Anemia

Comments: 0February 6th, 2010 by admin



Anemia in its various forms is the most common blood condition in the United States, affecting anywhere between 2 and 10-percent of Americans. Anemia is considered a symptom of disease, rather than a disease in itself.

The body’s ability to sustain the correct number of red blood cells requires cooperation of the bone marrow, kidneys, and nutrients circulating within the blood. If one of these systems is not working properly, the body may develop a form of anemia.

Normocytic anemia is a condition in which the body does not maintain an adequate amount of healthy red blood cells. This reduces the blood’s ability to transfer a sufficient amount of oxygen to the tissues.

There are two forms of Normocytic Anemia. Congenital normocytic anemia, caused by the breaking up of red blood cells, is a condition a person is born with. Acquired normocytic anemia, the more common form, is most often the result of chronic illness or disease. Rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases are some of the diseases that may lead to normocytic anemia.

Normally normocytic anemia will progress slowly. Initially the person may have no symptoms. Eventually the person may become pale, overly tired. As the condition progresses, the person may experience any array of symptoms, including shortness of breath, low blood pressure, a fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, and/or general weakness.

Normocyctic anemia is diagnosed through a complete medical history, a physical exam, and a routine blood test called a CBC (Complete Blood Count). Among other things, this blood test measures the levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. A portion of the blood will likely be examined under a microscope. This will reveal the number of blood cells, as well as the size, shape, and color. Normocytic anemia is the diagnosis given when the patient is found to have a low number of normal-sized red blood cells.

Once diagnosed, the doctor may wish to order further testing to determine the cause of the anemia. Treatment of normocytic anemia preferably targets the root cause. Occasionally, in severe cases, the doctor may recommend a transfusion of red blood cells or shots of erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is a hormone normally produced by the kidneys. Manufactured under various brand names, this medication induces the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.

A person diagnosed with anemia will need to have follow-up visits with his or her doctor in order to determine the response to treatment. Repeat blood tests will be ordered to monitor the number of red blood cells.

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What Does The Complete Blood Count Tell My Rheumatologist?

Comments: 0January 29th, 2010 by admin



A complete blood count, which includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, differential (what types of white blood cells are present), and platelet count, is one of the most common baseline tests ordered in an arthritis clinic. It is used for diagnosis and monitoring of medications and is also used to detect blood disorders such as anemia.

Understanding the cause of anemia in a patient with arthritis is important to providing appropriate treatment. For instance anemia can be due to abnormal destruction of red blood cells due to antibodies directed against the red blood cells. This phenomenon is occasionally seen in diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Low white blood cells counts and low platelet counts can also be seen in SLE.

Many types of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, etc., are associated with an anemia called the “anemia of chronic disease.” This type of anemia does not respond to iron. Red blood cells are normal size and normal color. The anemia is due to inflammation which “locks” the iron inside the bone marrow and prevents it from being used to make new red blood cells. The treatment for this anemia is better control of the arthritis.

Contrast that with the anemia from iron deficiency. This can be seen in patients treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) who develop gastrointestinal bleeding. The anemia is caused by loss of blood and will respond to iron therapy. Red blood cells are small and pale.

Therapy with drugs such as methotrexate can lead to a deficiency of folate. This folate deficiency also causes an anemia. The anemia in this case is associated with large red blood cells. It is a sign that the patient needs to be treated with folic acid. Azathioprine is another drug used for arthritis that causes an anemia with large red blood cells.

Anemia should be investigated to determine whether the anemia is due to drug toxicity, complications of the arthritis, or some other cause. For example, a patient with large red blood cells may have a vitamin B12 deficiency accounting for their anemia.

Patients with anemia may complain of being fatigued or of feeling weak.

Patients with low platelet counts may be an increased risk for developing severe bleeding.

Patients with low white blood cell counts may be at increased risk for infections.

The presence of anemia or other blood abnormality will be an important determinant of the course of action needed to treat the patient and their arthritis.

Patient receiving arthritis medicines are at increased risk for developing different side effects. As a result they need to be monitored carefully.

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Understanding Your Pet’s CBC Blood Test

Comments: 0June 27th, 2009 by admin



When you take your pet to the veterinarian for a regular check up or if you are concerned that your pet may be ill, the vet will likely perform a CBC. A CBC, or complete blood count, is used to evaluate the cells that circulate through your pet’s blood. With the help of this test, your vet can find the first indication that your pet may be ill or in need of medical care in some way.

What is the CBC?

The CBC test actually takes a count of both the red and white blood cells in your pet’s blood. With the help of the CBC test, which requires taking a blood sample and performing what is called a “blood smear,” the vet can check for signs of illness. Having a low red blood count, for example, could be a sign that your pet is suffering from anemia. A high white blood count, on the other hand, is a sign of infection. Odd blood counts can also indicate inflammation as well as an immune system disease.

Why is a CBC Performed?

A CBC may be performed as a part of your routine health screening in order to make certain your pet is healthy. It may also be performed before undergoing anesthesia in order to be certain your pet is healthy enough for the procedure.

Even if your pet appears healthy and is not about to undergo anesthesia, a CBC can catch a problem in its early stages so it can be treated immediately. The earlier a disease is caught, the greater the probability of successful treatment.

A CBC may also be performed if your pet has recently experienced trauma or appears to be sickly in any way. With the help of the CBC, the veterinarian can better pinpoint the problem, which can range from a simple infection to something more complicated. Certain types of cancers, for example, can be identified with the help of a CBC. This is particularly true of leukemia, which can sometimes be identified with a simple blood smear.

Depending upon the results of the CBC, the veterinarian may recommend a diagnostics test. A diagnostics test is a test that looks for traits related to a specific disease that the veterinarian suspects after reviewing the CBC.

How is a CBC Performed?

In order to perform a CBC, your vet or your vet tech will need to sterilize a needle and then look for a superficial vein from which blood can be drawn. He or she will then wet your pet’s fur with alcohol and may snip away some hair in order to better locate the vein. With the vein properly located, he or she can then insert the needle and draw out some blood. While this certainly isn’t a painless procedure for your pet, it is the same as drawing blood from a human. Therefore, most pets tolerate it quite well and suffer no harmful affects.

The blood is then placed into a special tube with an anti-coagulant that prevents the blood from clotting. The blood is then passed through a machine that is able determine the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Then, a drop of blood is placed on a slide and examined under a microscope. Here, the machine’s diagnosis is confirmed and any abnormalities in the cells are identified.

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