Haematology focuses on the study of blood and blood-forming tissues.
Laboratory tests can provide information about the quantity and quality of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
What is Haematology?
Haematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood and the organs that produce it.
Key Components of Haematology:
Blood Cells: Haematology focuses on the study of red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (which fight infections), and platelets (which help blood clot).
Blood Disorders: This includes conditions like anemia (low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), leukaemia (cancer of blood-forming tissues), and clotting disorders.
Common Haematology Tests:
1) Complete Blood Count (CBC):
Measures overall health and detects disorders such as anemia, infection, and many other diseases.
Components include:
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count: Number of RBCs in the blood.
Hemoglobin (Hb): Amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.
Haematocrit (Hct): Percentage of the blood that consists of RBCs.
White Blood Cell (WBC) Count: Number of WBCs in the blood. Used to detect infections or immune system disorders.
Platelet Count: Number of platelets in the blood. They help with clotting.
2) Coagulation Tests:
Evaluate how well the blood clots.
Common tests include:
Prothrombin Time (PT): Measures time it takes for blood to clot.
International Normalized Ratio (INR): A standardized version of PT, primarily used to monitor patients on warfarin, an anticoagulant medication.
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT): Measures the time it takes for blood to clot and is used to monitor patients on heparin, another anticoagulant medication.
3) Peripheral Smear (Blood Smear):
A drop of blood is smeared on a slide and examined under a microscope.
Used to look at the physical appearance of blood cells, checking for shapes, sizes, and numbers.
4) Bone Marrow Examination:
Involves taking a small sample of bone marrow (usually from the hip bone) to examine the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells.
5) Reticulocyte Count:
Measures the number of young RBCs in the blood, indicating how quickly they're being produced and released by the bone marrow.
6) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR):
Measures how fast RBCs settle at the bottom of a test tube. A faster rate may indicate inflammation in the body.
7) Hemoglobin Electrophoresis:
Used to identify and diagnose different types of anemia, especially those related to abnormal hemoglobin structures (like sickle cell anemia).
Test Name | Purpose/Description | Components/Measurements |
Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Measures overall health and detects disorders like anemia, infections, and other diseases. | - Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count - Hemoglobin (Hb) - Haematocrit (Hct) - White Blood Cell (WBC) Count - Platelet Count |
Coagulation Tests | Evaluates how well the blood clots. | - Prothrombin Time (PT) - International Normalized Ratio (INR) - Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) |
Peripheral Smear (Blood Smear) | Checks the physical appearance of blood cells for shapes, sizes, and numbers. | Visual examination of blood cells under a microscope. |
Bone Marrow Examination | Examine the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells. | Analysis of a marrow sample (usually from the hip bone). |
Reticulocyte Count | Indicates how quickly young RBCs are produced and released by the bone marrow. | Counting the number of young RBCs in the blood. |
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) | Measures the rate of RBCs settling, with a faster rate indicating potential inflammation. | Time taken for RBCs to settle at the bottom of a test tube. |
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis | Diagnose different types of anemia, especially those related to abnormal hemoglobin structures. | Identification of various hemoglobin structures and patterns. |
This table provides a concise summary of the common haematology tests, their primary purposes, and the essential components or measurements associated with each.