Foundation Profile

Haemacrit measures the amount of volume the red blood cells occupy within your blood.

Higher levels can typically result from a pregnancy, dehydration, living at a higher altitude as well as a greater lack of oxygen most likely from a chronic lung disease and possibly sleep apoea.

Lower levels typically point to anaemia.

A red blood cell count is usually carried out as part of a full blood cell (FBC) count. A normal red blood cell count would be:

male – 4.7 to 6.1 million cells per microlitre (cells/mcL)

female – 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL

The results of an red blood cell count can be used to help diagnose blood related conditions, such as iron deficiency.

A low red blood cell count could also indicate a vitamin B6, B12 or folate deficiency. It may also signify internal bleeding, kidney disease or malnutrition.

A high red blood cell count could be due to a number of health conditions or health-related factors and can cause your red blood cells to clump together and lower or block blood flow in tiny blood vessels making it much more difficult for your blood to carry oxygen.

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is the average volume of red blood cells.
MCV is elevated or decreased in accordance with average red blood cell size.

Low MCV indicates anaemia, typically due to an iron deficiency.

high MCV may be an indication that there is a vitamin deficiency of folate or b12 which can usually be seen with excessive alcohol consumption.

Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) is the average volume of haemoglobin within your red blood cells.

MCV combined with MCHC, MCH results help to diagnose types of anaemia.

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Normal Range for MCHC: 32-36 grams/deciliter in adults. SI units: 334-355 gram/liter.

A low MCHC means that there is less hemoglobin in each red cell regardless of the size of the red cell, known as hypochromia. It is seen in iron deficiency anemia.

High MCHC levels can indicate the presence of spherocytosis, which is a rare disorder
or it can be a deficiency of folic acid and vitamin b12 in the diet.

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that measures variation in red blood cell size or red blood cell volume. RDW is elevated in accordance with variation in red cell size when elevated RDW is reported on complete blood count, marked anisocytosis (increased variation in red cell size) can be caused by a deficiency in iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid.

White blood cells are key to your body’s immune or defence system. They fight infections and protect your body from foreign invaders such as harmful germs and bacteria.

A raised white blood cell (WBC) count can indicate recent infection, inflammation, trauma and even stress. Your WBC can also be raised when taking certain medications.

A decreased WBC can result from a vitamin deficiency such as folate or vitamin B12, as well as liver disease and diseases of the immune system.

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell. In fact, most of the white blood cells that lead the immune system’s response are neutrophils.

Having a high percentage of neutrophils in your blood is a sign that your body has an infection. Neutrophilia can point to a number of underlying conditions and factors.

Low neutrophil counts are most often associated with a vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, but they also can be a sign of other factors or illness.

Lymphocytes are one of several different types of white blood cells.
Your bone marrow constantly produces cells that will become lymphocytes
which fight bacterial and viral infections.

About 25 percent of the new lymphocytes remain in the bone marrow and become B cells. The other 75 percent travel to your thymus and become T cells.

Lymphocytopenia can point to a number of conditions and diseases. Some, like the flu or mild infections, aren’t serious for most people. But a low lymphocyte count puts you at greater risk of infection.

A high lymphocyte count, is common if you’ve had an infection. High lymphocyte levels that persist may point to a more serious illness or disease.

Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that fights off bacteria, viruses and fungi. Monocytes are the biggest type of white blood cell in the immune system. Originally formed in the bone marrow, they are released into our blood and tissues. When certain germs enter the body, they quickly rush to the site for attack.

A high monocyte count might be a sign of a chronic infection, an autoimmune disorder or a blood disorder.

Lower levels may be due to autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthiritis.

Eosinophils have two distinct functions in your immune system. They destroy invading germs like viruses, bacteria, or parasites such as Giardia and pinworm. Eosinophils also create an inflammatory response, especially if an allergy is involved.

If you have over 350 eosinophil cells per microliter of blood, then it indicates you have a disorder known as eosinophilia. This can be due to any of the following an allergic reaction to parasitic worms, an autoimmune disease, eczema, asthma, seasonal allergies, leukemia, ulcerative colitis scarlet fever, lupus or Crohn’s disease

Basophils are a type of white blood cell. Although they’re produced in the bone marrow, they’re found in many tissues throughout your body.
Basophils protect you from bacteria and parasites such as ticks.

When there is an elevated Basophils count this occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. If your thyroid hormone is low, it can cause your bodily functions to slow down.

When your Basophils are low this happens when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. The excess hormone causes your bodily functions to speed up. Symptoms include an increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, excessive sweating, weight loss.

A blood film report is an examination of the shape, size and volume of blood cells under a microscope. Oxygen is not carried as effectively if the blood cells are abnormal in size or shape, this can then result in anaemia.

A volume which is too high or too low can be a sign of a blood disorder and can affect the body’s ability to fight an infection.

Platelets are the cells that circulate within our blood and bind together when they recognize damaged blood vessels, When you get a cut, for example, the platelets bind to the site of the damaged vessel, thereby causing a blood clot.

When platelet levels are high there is an increased risk of blood clots forming in your blood vessels.

If your platelet levels are too low you have a risk of easy bruising and uncontrollable bleeding.

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) is a measurement of the average size of your platelets.
New platelets are larger in size than older platelets and a raised mean platelet volume result occurs when an increase in the number of platelets are being produced. Mean platelet volume provides an indication of platelet production in your bone marrow.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone which is produced in the testicles of men It is also produced in much smaller amounts, in the ovaries of women. Testosterone is responsible for your bone and muscle strength, mood, energy and sexual function.

Testosterone levels lower as you become older it is unusual to find naturally elevated levels in men. Low testosterone is more common than raised.

Raised testosterone for women can result in male characteristics such as body hair, greater bulk, a deeper voice and acne of which are all symptoms of polycystic ovaries, a condition in which elevated testosterone is commonly seen.

Oestradiol is a female steroid hormone that is produced in the ovaries of women and in the testes of men however in a much lesser extent. It is responsible for the female reproductive system as well as the growth of breast tissue and bone thickness. Oestradiol levels lower with age, culminating in the menopause when the ovaries stop producing eggs.

Raised oestadiolin women can cause acne, constipation loss of sex drive and depression it can also increase the risk of uterine and breast cancer.

Oestradiol can also be raised in men due to excess fat or in relation to testosterone levels which have declined with age. Raised oestadiol in men can cause the growth of breast tissue aswell as the loss of libido and infertility.

Lower levels of oestradiol in women can least to osteoporosis, problems with the menstrual cycle and fertility as well as fatigue and depression.

A cortisol test is done to measure the level of the hormone cortisol in the blood, which may indicate problems with the adrenal glands or pituitary gland

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

High levels of TSH indicate an underactive thyroid while low levels indicate an overactive thyroid. In primary pituitary failure, a low TSH will be associated with an underactive thyroid.

Thyroxine (T4) is one of two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Most T4 is bound to carrier proteins in the blood – this test measures the level of T4 which is free, or unbound, circulating in your blood.

High levels of free thyroxine can indicate an overactive thyroid while low levels can indicate an underactive thyroid.

Triiodothyronine (T3) is one of two thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Most T3 is bound to protein in the blood. It helps to regulate metabolism. Free T3 measures the level of T3 that is free, or unbound to protein.

Anti-TG (Thyroglobulin Antibody)
Targets thyroglobulin, a protein stored in the thyroid gland and used to produce thyroid hormones. Elevated levels are also linked to autoimmune thyroid disorders.

(TP) Thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme which is produced in the thyroid gland and is important for converting T4 to the biologically active T3.

(OAb) The antibodies to thyroid peroxidase in the blood

These indicate that the body’s immune system is attacking the thyroid gland and impairing its function.

Raised levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies are often found in Hashimoto’s disease (underactive thyroid) Raised levels are also found in over half the cases of Graves’ disease (overactive thyroid).

The test measures the volume of iron within your blood with the aim of diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia or iron overload syndrome (haemochromatosis).

The symptoms of too little or too much iron can be very similar I.e fatigue, muscle weakness, moodiness and difficulty concentrating.

Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in your cells for your body to use later. Measuring ferritin levels gives us a good indication of the amount of iron stored in your body.

Low levels of ferritin can indicate anaemia which can be caused by excessive or chronic bleeding, poor absorption of iron or too little iron in the diet.

Raised ferritin levels can indicate iron overload syndrome (haemochromatosis) or any kind of liver damage. It is also a marker of infection and inflammation.