Hematology (Interpretation of Clinical Laboratory Tests)

• Hematology 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 Hematology?

• Hematology 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:

1. Blood Cells: Hematology focuses on the study of red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (which fight infections), and platelets (which help blood clot).

2. Blood Disorders: This includes conditions like anemia (low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), leukemia (cancer of blood-forming tissues), and clotting disorders.

Common Hematology Tests:

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC):

• Measures overall health and detects disorders such as anemia, infection, and many other diseases.

• Components include:

  1. Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count: Number of RBCs in the blood.

  2. Hemoglobin (Hb): Amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.

  3. Haematocrit (Hct): Percentage of the blood that consists of RBCs.

  4. White Blood Cell (WBC) Count: Number of WBCs in the blood. Used to detect infections or immune system disorders.

  5. Platelet Count: Number of platelets in the blood. They help with clotting.

2. Coagulation Tests:

• Evaluate how well the blood clots.

• Common tests include:

  1. Prothrombin Time (PT): Measures time it takes for blood to clot.

  2. International Normalized Ratio (INR): A standardized version of PT, primarily used to monitor patients on warfarin, an anticoagulant medication.

  3. 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.

This table provides a concise summary of the common hematology tests, their primary purposes, and the essential components or measurements associated with each.