Haematology Test

Complete blood count

Total RBC

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the amount of red blood cells in blood. Red blood cells responsible for oxygen transportation throughout our body. High level of red blood cells might be due to dehydration, heart disease and cancer. Low level of red blood cells might be due to anaemia, malnutrition and cancer.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/red-blood-cell-rbc-count/

Haemoglobin

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the level of haemoglobin in blood. Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that help to carry oxygen throughout our body. High haemoglobin level might be due to heart disease, lung disease and cancer. Low haemoglobin level might be due to malnutrition, anaemia, liver disease and cancer.

Referrence:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/hemoglobin-test/

PCV (Packed cell volume)

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the volume of blood that is made up from red blood cells. Packed cell volume, also known as haematocrit is essential in determining our health condition. High PCV level might be due to dehydration, heart disease and cancer. Low PCV level might be due to anaemia, malnutrition and cancer.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/hematocrit-test/

MCV (Mean corpuscular volume)

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the average size of red blood cells in blood. The size of red blood cells is essential in determining our health condition. High MCV might be due to malnutrition, endocrine disorder and liver disease. Low MCV might be due to anaemia or thalassemia.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/mcv-mean-corpuscular-volume/#:~:text=An%20MC V%20blood%20test%20measures,%2C%20reproduce%2C%20and%20stay%20heal thy

MCH (Mean corpuscular haemoglobin)

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the average amount of haemoglobin in a single red blood cell. The amount of haemoglobin in red blood cells is essential in determining our health condition. High MCH might be due to anaemia and a high cholesterol diet. Low MCH might be due to anaemia.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/red-blood-cell-rbc-indices/

MCHC (Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration)

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the size, volume and level of haemoglobin of red blood cells. This test is essential in determining our health condition. High MCHC might be due to anaemia and genetic disorders. Low MCHC might be due to anaemia and thalassemia.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/red-blood-cell-rbc-indices/

Total WBC

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the amount of white blood cells in blood. White blood cells are essential in protecting our body from pathogens. High total WBC might be due to infection, inflammation and allergy. Low total WBC might be due to bone marrow disorder, cancer and autoimmune disease.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/white-blood-count-wbc/

Neutrophils

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the level of neutrophils in blood. Neutrophils are essential in protecting our body from pathogens. High level of neutrophils might be due to infection, injury and cancer. Low level of neutrophils might be due to allergy, chronic infection and autoimmune disease.

Reference:

1) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323982#causes

2) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/white-blood-count-wbc/

Lymphocytes

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the level of lymphocytes in blood. Lymphocytes are essential in protecting our body from pathogens. High level of lymphocytes might be due to infection and inflammation. Low level of lymphocytes might be due to infection, autoimmune disease and cancer.

Reference:

1) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320987
2) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/white-blood-count-wbc/

Monocytes

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the level of monocytes in blood. Monocytes are essential in fighting against disease and infection. High level of monocytes might be due to chronic infection and autoimmune disease. Low level of monocytes might be due to bone marrow disorder.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/white-blood-count-wbc/

2) https://www.healthline.com/health/absolute-monocytes

Eosinophils

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the level of eosinophils in blood. Eosinophils are essential in fighting against infection and allergic response. High level of eosinophils might be due to allergy, infection and cancer. Low level of eosinophils might be due to alcohol abuse and elevated cortisol level in blood.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/white-blood-count-wbc/
2) https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/eosinophil-count-absolute

Basophils

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the level of basophils in blood. Basophils are essential in fighting against infection. High basophil level might be due to autoimmune disease, endocrine disorder and cancer. Low basophil level might be due to endocrine disorder, allergy and infection.

Reference:

1) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324188#causes-of-high-levels

Platelet count

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the level of platelets in blood. Platelets are important for blood clotting. High platelet level might be due to infection, anaemia and cancer. Low platelet level might be due to malnutrition, autoimmune disease, infection and cancer.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/platelet-tests/

Others

ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate)

Specimen type: Whole blood (fasting is not required)

Turnaround time: 24 hours

Result interpretation: This test aims to measure the time taken for red blood cells to settle at the bottom of the test tube. This test is essential in determining inflammation in our body. High ESR might be due to infection, injury and cancer. Low ESR might be due to anaemia and cancer.

Reference:

1) https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-esr/