Understanding the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Common Blood Deficiencies

Transcription

1 Understanding the Cmplete Bld Cunt (CBC) and Cmmn Bld Deficiencies Belw yu ll find infrmatin t help yu understand yur cmplete bld cunt. Yu ll als learn abut neutrpenia, anemia, and thrmbcytpenia 3 kinds f bld deficiencies. What is a cmplete bld cunt? A cmplete bld cunt (CBC) is a cmmn bld test. A CBC gives dctrs infrmatin abut 3 types f cells in yur bld: Red bld cells White bld cells Platelets Each type f bld cell plays an imprtant rle in hw yur bdy wrks. What des a CBC measure? A cmplete bld cunt includes 5 majr parts. Each time yu have a CBC, yu ll find numbers fr each part in yur results. Keep in mind that nrmal ranges may be slightly different fr men and wmen. The 5 parts f a CBC are: White bld cell (WBC) cunt White bld cells help yur bdy fight ff infectins. The nrmal range fr WBC is 5 t 10 K/uL. Yur CBC will als measure what s called the ANC (abslute neutrphil cunt) That s the specific number f white bld cells in yur bld that fight infectin. Red bld cell (RBC) cunt Red bld cells carry xygen and remve waste frm yur bdy. These cells als have a prtein in them called hemglbin, which is what makes red bld cells red. The nrmal range fr RBC is 4 t 5.5 M/uL. Hemglbin (HGB) value Hemglbin carries xygen frm yur lungs t the rest f yur bdy, and als mves carbn dixide (waste) t yur lungs s yu breathe it ut. The nrmal range fr HGB is 12 t 17.4 g/dl. Patient Educatin 1 Understanding yur cmplete bld cunt

2 Hematcrit (HCT) value The hematcrit value measures hw much f yur ttal bld cunt is made up f red bld cells. The nrmal range fr HCT is 36 t 52%. Platelet cunt Platelets help stp bleeding by sticking tgether t frm bld clts, which plug cuts. A nrmal platelet cunt range is 140 t 400 K/uL. Bld Disrders Smetimes, yur CBC may shw that yur cunts r values are t lw. Fr example, yu might nt have enugh white bld cells, r yur platelet cunt culd be lwer than nrmal. When this happens, it can cause health prblems. Belw yu ll learn abut 3 different cnditins that develp when yur level f specific bld cells is t lw. Neutrpenia (lw white bld cell cunt) If yu have neutrpenia ( NEW-trh-PEE-nee-uh ), it means yu dn t have enugh f the white bld cells (called neutrphils) that fight ff infectin. In ther wrds, yur ANC (abslute neutrphil cunt) is t lw. The lwer yur ANC is, the mre likely yu are t have health prblems: If yur ANC is lwer than 1000 (1.0K/uL), yu have a higher risk f getting an infectin. When yur ANC is lwer than 500, yu have high risk f mre serius infectins. The gd news is, there s a lt yu can d t prevent infectins if yu have neutrpenia. Hw can I prevent infectins? T prevent infectins, yu need t keep germs (like bacteria and viruses) ut f yur bdy. Yu can pick up germs thrugh: The air (breathing in germs that smene has sneezed r cughed ut) Bld Sweat Saliva (spit) Sme germs can get in yur bdy when yu tuch smething with germs n it, and then tuch yur eyes, nse, r muth. Patient Educatin 2 Understanding yur cmplete bld cunt

3 The steps belw will help yu avid germs and help keep yu safe while yur white bld cell cunt is lw. Wash yur hands ften befre yu eat and after yu: Use the bathrm Cugh, sneeze, r blw yur nse Shake smene s hand Tuch anything handled by thers Take a shwer r bath every day. If yur skin gets dry, use unscented ltin r ils. This will help stp yur skin frm cracking, which can let in germs that culd make yu sick. If yu cut r scrape yurself, clean the area with sap and warm water right away. Then cver it with a bandage. Always wear shes in the hspital and at hme. Did yu knw? Hand washing is the single mst imprtant thing yu can d t prtect yurself frm infectins. Pay attentin t yur ral health (yur muth and teeth): Rinse yur muth ut with water after yu eat and befre yu g t bed. Use an ultra-sft tthbrush s yu dn t make yur gums bleed. Only flss if yur ANC is higher than 500, and yur platelet cunt is 50,000 r higher. Flssing may make yur gums t bleed. Use lip balm (like ChapStick) n yur lips t prevent chapping. If yu wear dentures, make sure they fit well. Check with yur dctr befre yu see the dentist getting dental wrk can expse yu t germs Avid germs arund the huse: Ask smene else t clean especially areas that culd have germs r mld that culd make yu sick (like shwers and tilets). Always ask smene else t clean litter bxes, birdcages, and fish tanks. Try nt t tuch fresh flwers, huseplants, dirt r sil, r stagnant (still) water, which can all hide germs. Dn t keep any plants (even dried flwers) in yur hme. Wash yur hands with sap and warm water right away if yu tuch smething that might have germs. Prtect yurself when yu re away frm hme: Avid crwded places. Stay away frm peple wh are sick. Patient Educatin 3 Understanding yur cmplete bld cunt

4 Never swim in lakes, pnds, rivers, r ceans. If yu want t swim, talk it ver with yur dctr r nurse first and swim nly in a pl that s treated with chlrine t kill germs. Als, stay ut f ht tubs and Jacuzzis. Keep away frm cnstructin sites, since germs can hide in dirt and dust. Make safe chices fr persnal care: Use an electric shaver instead f a razr. Yu ll be less likely t cut yurself. Never get a manicure, pedicure, r fake nails (r nail tips). Prevent cuts and tears in yur rectum avid enemas, rectal thermmeters, r suppsitries (medicines that yu put in yur anus). Wmen need t avid tampns, vaginal suppsitries (like fr a yeast infectin), and duches. Be sure nt t get any vaccines (like a flu sht) unless yur dctr tells yu t. Take steps t stay safe during sex: Use a water-based lubricant during sex. This will keep yu frm getting small cuts r tears caused by t much frictin (rubbing). Avid anal sex. It s mre likely than vaginal sex t cause cuts and tears. Remember, always ask yur dctr r nurse if it s safe fr yu t have sex. Hw will I knw if I might have an infectin? When yu have neutrpenia, yu need t watch fr signs f infectin. Check yur temperature at least nce a day. Yur dctr r nurse may tell yu t check it mre ften. If yu have a fever, that s a sign yu might have an infectin. Call yur dctr r nurse right away if: Yur temperature is between and F (degrees Fahrenheit) tw r mre times in ne day Yur temperature ever reaches F (degrees Fahrenheit) r abve Prevent catheter infectins Yu ll need t check fr infectins if yu have a catheter (a special tube that helps yu get medicine r nutrients). Lk arund the area where the catheter ges int yur bdy. Als check yur muth and grin, since these areas have lts f germs that can cause infectins. Yu ll need t call yur dctr r nurse right away if yu ntice: Redness Swelling Pain r tenderness Drainage (liquid cming frm the place where the tube ges in) A bad smell Patient Educatin 4 Understanding yur cmplete bld cunt

5 Always call yur dctr right away if yu have ther signs r symptms f infectin like: Shrtness f breath r chest pain Chills Flushed skin Sweating Having t urinate (pee) ften Burning when yu urinate Redness, tenderness, r pain anywhere n yur bdy Feeling run dwn r having ther flu-like symptms, like: Sre thrat Sneezing Runny nse Cughing Stmach prblems (feeling sick, thrwing up, diarrhea) Yur dctr and nurse can lk fr signs f infectin by testing yur bld and urine. They may als d a chest x-ray. If yu have an infectin, yur dctr will give yu medicine t fight it. Anemia If yu have anemia, yu dn t have enugh red bld cells in yur bld. In ther wrds, yur hematcrit and hemglbin levels are t lw. Lts f different things like medicines, lw vitamin levels, and diseases can cause anemia. Yur dctr will run tests t find ut the cause and figure ut the best treatment. Peple with serius cases f anemia may need a bld transfusin t keep them safe. When yu re anemic, yu may feel weak and tired. Yu may als experience: Dizziness Shrtness f breath Racing heartbeat (heart palpitatins) Punding in yur head Ringing in yur ears T prevent symptms f anemia: Rest ften during the day, especially between activities. Make sure yu get enugh sleep at night. Get up slwly if yu ve been sitting r lying dwn. This can help yu feel less dizzy. Patient Educatin 5 Understanding yur cmplete bld cunt

6 Thrmbcytpenia If yu have thrmbcytpenia ( THROM-bh-SY-th-PEEN-ee-uh ), it means yu dn t have enugh platelets in yur bld. Yur bld wn t clt nrmally. When yu have thrmbcytpenia, yu may bruise easily. Yu may als experience: Tiny red r purple spts n yur skin (petechiae) Nse bleeds Bleeding gums Cuts that keep n bleeding Black r bldy stl (pp) Brwn r red urine (pee) Heavy perids (increased bleeding frm the vagina) The gd news is, there are things yu can t d take care f yurself if yu have thrmbcytpenia: Ask yur dctr befre yu take any ver-the-cunter medicine. There are lts f ver-the-cunter (OTC) medicines that can keep yur platelets frm wrking the way they re suppsed t especially medicines that have aspirin in them. S when yur platelet cunt is lw, talk with yur dctr r nurse befre yu take any new medicines. Never take any medicine that has aspirin in it. Check the list at the end f this fact sheet fr names f cmmn medicines that have aspirin in them. Yu ll als need t avid sme ther cmmn OTC medicines, including: Ibuprfen (Mtrin, Advil, Midl, Pediacare Fever) Naprxen (Naprsyn, Naprelan, Aleve, Anaprx) Make safe chices fr persnal care: Use an ultra-sft tthbrush t keep yur gums frm bleeding. If yur gums bleed when yu brush yur teeth, use Tthettes (special muth swabs) instead f a tthbrush. Only flss yur teeth if yur platelet cunt is 50,000 r higher. Use an electric shaver rather than a razr, especially if yur platelet cunt is lwer than 20,000. Yu ll be less likely t cut yurself. When yu blw yur nse, be gentle. Never using enemas, rectal thermmeters (thermmeters that g in the anus), and suppsitries. Wmen shuld nt duche r use tampns r vaginal suppsitries (like fr a yeast infectin). If yu have sex, use water-based lubricants. This can help prevent small cuts r tears frm frictin (rubbing) during sex. Patient Educatin 6 Understanding yur cmplete bld cunt

7 If yur platelet cunt is t lw, sex may nt be safe. Check with yur dctr. Pay attentin t what yu eat: Eat a balanced diet, s yu dn t becme cnstipated Avid eating fds that might upset yur stmach, like ppcrn r apple peels. Dress apprpriately: Chse lse-fitting clthing and avid anything with tight waistbands. Wear shes in the hspital and at hme. Wear glves when gardening. This will prtect yu frm germs in dirt r sil. Avid certain activities, including: Using sharp knives r blades Cntact sprts (like ftball and hckey) Call yur dctr r nurse right away if yu have any f the fllwing symptms: New tiny red r purple spts n yur skin (abut the size f a pinpint r larger) New bruises n yur bdy Nsebleeds Bleeding gums Bleeding frm an area where yu had a prcedure (like where yu gt a catheter) Bld in yur urine r stl Headaches Feeling very tired Cnfusin Falling dwn Cmmn prducts that have aspirin in them: Acetylsalicylic acid ASA Adprin-B Adult Analgesic Pain Reliever Aggrenx Alka Seltzer prducts Alr 5/500 Anacin prducts Carisprdl cmpund Cmbiflex Cpe Durabac Easprin Ectrin Emagrin Frte Emagrin PAC Analgesic PAC tablets and capsules Painaid prducts Pain Reliever Pamprin prducts Panasal 5/500 Pept-Bisml Percdan Patient Educatin 7 Understanding yur cmplete bld cunt

8 Arthritis Fundatin Pain Reliever Arthritis Pain Frmula Ascmp with cdeine Ascriptin prducts Aspercin Aspergum Aspirin Aspirtab Aspir-mx Back-Quell Bayer prducts BC Pwder BC prducts Buffasal Bufferin prducts Butalbital cmpund Empirin Empirin with cdeine Equagesic Excedrin prducts Firinal tablets and capsules Gdy s Extra Strength Gdy s Headache Pwder Gdy s Bdy Pain Pwder Halfprin Heartline Levacet Lrtab ASA Mmentum Orphengesic prducts Nrgesic Nrgesic Frte Nrwich prducts Rbaxisal Salet Sdl cmpund Sma cmpund Sma cmpund with cdeine St. Jseph Lw Dse Adult Aspirin Stanback pwder and tablets Synalgs-DC Talwin cmpund Vanquish Zee-Seltzer Zrprin This infrmatin is prepared specifically fr persns taking part in clinical research at the Natinal Institutes f Health Clinical Center and may nt apply t patients elsewhere. If yu have questins abut the infrmatin presented here, talk t a member f yur health care team. Prducts/resurces named serve as examples and d nt imply endrsement by NIH. The fact that a certain prduct/resurce is nt named des nt imply that such prduct/resurce is unsatisfactry. Natinal Institutes f Health Clinical Center Bethesda, MD Questins abut the Clinical Center? 7/14 Patient Educatin 8 Understanding yur cmplete bld cunt