The results of blood tests, essential for diagnosing certain diseases or deficiencies, can sometimes be complicated to decipher. Here are some pointers and tips to better understand these analyses.
Red blood cells, blood sugar, lipid balance, cholesterol… The results of a blood test can sometimes be difficult to understand and interpret, especially when the reference values are not known. On a blood test there is for each datum an interval of values which represents the thresholds of use (high and low) of people in good health. Being outside these intervals, however, is not always indicative of a disease or abnormality. Here are some indicators to better identify when reading its analysis results.
Complete blood count (NFS) or complete blood count
The hemogram, or complete blood count, is a blood test that consists of analyzing the different components of the blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
The balance sheet notably reports the average globular volume, which indicates the size of the red blood cells (or red blood cells), or even the hematocrit. This last value indicates the percentage of the blood volume occupied by red blood cells. “It decreases in the event of anemia, and increases for example during an episode of dehydration”, specifies health insurance website. According to the reference values, the normal hematocrit is between 40 to 50% in men.
Regarding the red blood cells, the blood test also measures the level of hemoglobin, a protein responsible for the transport of oxygen in the blood, which is located in the red blood cells. “The hemoglobin level in the blood is normally 13 grams per deciliter (g/dl) in men, and 12 in women. From the second trimester of pregnancy, it drops to 10.5 g/dl”, according to Health Insurance.
NFS also makes it possible to study platelets, the fragments of cells that participate in blood coagulation. In humans, the reference number is between 150,000 and 400,000 platelets per mm3. A falling number can reveal blood clotting problems, with risks of prolonged bleeding, and too high a number can expose to risks of obstruction of blood vessels.
Finally, the hemogram also studies the white blood cells, or leukocytes. These cells are in charge of defending the human body against viruses, bacteria or fungi. Lymphocytes multiply in the face of a viral infection, and monocytes in the face of an infectious disease. A high white blood cell count can therefore indicate that the body is dealing with an infection or disease.
Blood lipid profile
One of the most important blood tests is the lipid profile. It aims to measure the amounts of lipids (fats) in the blood. This report is interested in three different data.
First, the blood test shows the LDL-cholesterol level. This is called “bad cholesterol”. In too large quantities, it can be deposited on the walls of the arteries and cause atheroma plaques (plaque mainly composed of fat), which can cause obstruction of the arteries.
The cholesterol level varies according to the patients and the cardiovascular risks, is linked to genetic predispositions and to food or to the lack of physical activity. Without a risk factor, a “normal” LDL level is considered to be less than 1.6 g/L of blood.
Then, the blood test makes it possible to measure the level of cholesterol-HDL. This time it is the “good cholesterol”, since it collects the excess cholesterol in the blood to bring it back to the liver to be eliminated. Without cardiovascular risk, it is considered that a good HDL-cholesterol level is greater than 0.4 g/L of blood.
Finally, the blood test also summarizes the total cholesterol level, LDL and HDL included, which must be below 2g/L of blood. It also reports the number of triglycerides, lipids that serve as an energy reserve for the body. A normal triglyceride level is less than 1.5 g/L of blood.
Glycemic balance
During a blood test, blood glucose is the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Glucose is the body’s main source of energy, but levels that are too high or too low can be dangerous. Blood glucose can be measured on an empty stomach or after meals.
According to French Federal for Diabetics, a low glucose level, which reveals the state of hypoglycemia, a lower than 0.60 g/L; normal fasting blood sugar is between 0.7 g/L and 1.10 g/L. Finally, fasting hyperglycaemia is detected from a level above 1.10 g/L.
Also, high fasting glucose is a hallmark of diabetes. According to Health Insurance, “the diagnosis is made when fasting blood sugar is equal to or greater than 1.26 g / l (or 7 mmol / l), rate found twice.”
Other analyzes
Depending on the reasons why you have been ordered to have a blood test, other measures may be taken. It may also include a renal, hepatic or inflammatory assessment. If several sources, in particular the Health Insurance website, can help you better understand the data that appear on your blood tests, you can of course turn to your doctor to interpret these values.
2023-05-07 17:42:02
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