Anemia Test Panel — Basic

Even if you do not have symptoms, you may consider testing if you have the following risk factors:

• Family history of thalassemia
• Family history of sickle cell anemia
• Diet low in nutrients
• History of bone marrow disease
• History of an autoimmune disease
• History of a chronic health condition like cancer, kidney disease, ulcerative colitis, or rheumatoid arthritis

This test measures various components and abnormalities of your blood:

• RBC count
  The RBC count measures the number of red blood cells in a sample of blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen to body cells and tissues.
• Hemoglobin
  Hemoglobin is the primary protein found in red blood cells and is responsible for the bright red color of our blood. Hemoglobin attaches to oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules, delivering oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body, and carrying away excess carbon dioxide.
• Hematocrit
  Hematocrit is the portion of your total blood volume taken up by red blood cells. This is different from the red blood cell count. Hematocrit is expressed as a percentage based on the number and size of red blood cells. This value can indicate whether your blood contains an abnormally low, or high, proportion of red blood cells in relation to white blood cells and platelets.
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
  The MCV is a measurement used to describe the average size of red blood cells.
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
  The MCH value represents the average amount of hemoglobin contained in each red blood cell.
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
  The MCHC measures the average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell relative to its size.
• Red cell distribution width (RDW)
  The RDW indicates the range of size variation and similarity of your red blood cells.

WBC Differential:

Measurements of white blood cells include number of cells or WBC count and measures the various kinds of white blood cells—this is what “differential” means.

• WBC count
  The WBC count measures the number of white blood cells in a sample of blood. White blood cells are infection-fighting cells.
• Neutrophils
  Neutrophils make up the largest portion of WBCs. They travel through the blood to fight and destroy viruses and bacteria.
• Lymphocytes
  There are 2 types of lymphocytes, B cells and T cells. B cells produce antibodies in response to bacteria, viruses, and toxins. T cells destroy the body's own cells that have been infected with viruses or have developed cancer. Both types of cells protect against future invasions of bacteria, viruses, and parasites by generating antibodies.
• Monocytes
  Monocytes are the largest cells in the blood. They travel through the bloodstream to tissues throughout the body, becoming either a macrophage or dendritic cell. Macrophages ingest harmful microbes, remove dead cells, and trigger an immune response. Dendritic cells are responsible for capturing, transporting, and presenting antigens derived from pathogens to immune cells that can fight them.
• Eosinophils
  Eosinophils, a type of granulocyte, are found in the bloodstream and the lining of various organs. These disease-fighting white blood cells contain proteins to help the body fight bacterial and parasitic infections. However, if eosinophil levels rise too high, they can contribute to allergic reactions and other inflammatory responses in the body.
• Basophils
  Basophils, a type of granulocyte, are present in both the blood and tissues, and like other white blood cells, they help protect the body against harmful substances. Importantly, basophils play a role in releasing antibodies that can fight bacteria and parasites like fungi, tick-borne diseases, and worms.

Platelets:

• Platelet count
  A platelet count measures the number of platelets per microliter in your blood sample. Platelets (thrombocytes) are small blood cells that help in stopping bleeding by swelling and clumping together to create a clot.
• Mean platelet volume (MPV)
  The MPV measures the average size of platelets in your blood. MPV is associated with exercise performance, but it also plays a role in blood clotting and inflammation.