BLOOD CHEMISTRY TESTS

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC) TEST

WHAT IS CBC TEST??

• Common ordered blood test
• It is a calculation of the cellular (formed element) of blood
• Major potion in this count is measure the concentration of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood.
• a broad screening test to check for such disorders as anemia, infection, and many other diseases

THE CBC TEST PERFORM

• This test done in the doctor's office, laboratories, and hospitals
• by obtaining a few milliliters (one to two teaspoons) of blood sample directly form the patient
• The skin is wiped clean with an alcohol pad
• Then, a needle is inserted through the area of cleansed skin into to patient's vein
• The blood is then pulled from the needle by a syringe.
• This sample is then taken to the laboratory for analysis

COMPONENTS OF CBC

• White blood cell count (WBC or leukocyte count) - is the number of white blood cells in a volume of blood
• WBC differential count - comprised of several different types that are differentiated, or distinguished, based on their size and shape - The cells in a differential count are granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils
• Red blood cell count (RBC or erythrocyte count) - the number of red blood cells in a volume of blood
• Hematocrit (Hct) - the ratio of the volume of red cells to the volume of whole blood
• Hemoglobin (Hbg) - is the amount of hemoglobin in a volume of blood
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) - the average volume of a red blood cell
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) - is the average amount of hemoglobin in the average red cell
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) - the average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red cells. A calculated volume derived from the hemoglobin measurement and the hematocrit
• Red cell distribution width (RDW) - is a measurement of the variability of red cell size and shape. Higher numbers indicate greater variation in size
• Platelet count - The number of platelets in a specified volume of blood. Platelets are not complete cells, but actually fragments of cytoplasm (part of a cell without its nucleus or the body of a cell) from a cell found in the bone marrow called a megakaryocyte. Platelets play a vital role in blood clotting
• Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) - The average size of platelets in a volume of blood

USES OF COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT

• It involve in routine check-up or screening
• as a follow-up test to monitor certain treatments
• as a part of an evaluation based on a patient's symptoms
• CBC tests to help determine individual general health status
• If they are healthy and they have cell populations that are within normal limits
• There are differences between babies and children may be different from adults for normal CBC values and need to be considered when interpreting data

ENZYME TESTS

Creatinine kinase (CK)

•an enzyme which is produced by the majority of muscle cells

i.CK-MB:   this is mostly found in the heart muscle 

                   cells

ii.CK-BB:   this is mostly found in the brain

iii.CK-MM:this is mostly found in the heart and    

                   skeletal muscles

•usually recommended for people who have had chest pain

 or weakness in the muscles/ suspected having heart attack

•       How to perform  :

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BLOOD TESTS TO ASSESS HEART DISEASE

Heart disease is the leading cause death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Prevention and early detection is key in lowering the risk of a fatal heart attack.

Blood provides many details about what is going on in the body and is an important diagnostic tool. Blood test can be used to predict the chances of heart disease or confirm a suspected diagnosis by looking at the levels of different substances.

A Cholesterol Tests

also called a lipid panel or lipid profile, measures fats (lipid) in your blood. The measurements can indicate your risk of having a heart attack or other heart disease.

The test typically includes measurements of:

q Total cholesterol

This is a sum of your blood’s cholesterol content. A high level can put you at increased risk of heart disease .

Ideally, your total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L).

q Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

This is sometimes called the “bad” cholesterol. Too much of it in your blood causes the accumulation of fatty deposits (plaques) in your arteries (artherosclerosis), which reduces blood flow. These plaques sometimes rupture and lead to major heart and vascular problems

Ideally, your LDL cholesterol level should be less than 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L).

q High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

This is sometimes called the “good” cholesterol because it helps carry away LDL cholesterol, keeping arteries open and your blood flowing more freely.

Ideally, your HDL cholesterol level should be 60 mg/dl (1.6 mmol/L) or higher, thought it’s common that HDL cholesterol is higher in women than men.

q Triglycerides

Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. High triglyceride levels usually mean you regularly eat more calories than you  burn, which causes food to be stored as fat and increase your risk of heart disease.

Ideally, your triglyceride level should be less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) .

Natriuretic peptides

Brain natriuretic peptide (BN) is a protein produced by the heart and blood vessels to help eliminate fluids, relax the blood vessels and send excess sodium to the uirne.

The body secretes high levels of BNP into the blood stream to help reduce the strain on the heart when damage occurs. BNP is useful in determining whether heart failure has occurred and in diagnosis a new heart problem.

A level between 100-300 pg/mL can be a sign of possible heart failure. Over 300 pg/mL indicates you most likely currently have heart failure.

Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen is a blood protein that aides in clotting. But too much fibrinogen can cause a clot to form in an artery, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Having too much fibrinogen may indicate you have an inflammatory response that accompanies atherosclerosis.

Smoking, inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption and supplemental estrogen may increase your fibrinogen level.

A normal fibrinogen level is considered to be between 200-400 mg/dL.