Are you pregnant, have you received your blood test result and are you worried that they may differ slightly from the standards listed on the printout? Do not panic! In pregnant women, many parameters of blood counts change and this is not an exceptional situation. Show the test result to the doctor who will prescribe the appropriate supplementation.
Most often in womenpregnantthe number of leukocytes (white blood cells) increases, and the level of hemoglobin decreases due to iron deficiency - not a cause for concern. Only the doctor in charge of your pregnancy can properly interpret your blood count and prescribe supplementation if necessary. Blood consists of: erythrocytes (red blood cells, red blood cells), which are colored depending on the hemoglobin they contain - a substance that binds and gives off oxygen, leukocytes (white blood cells, white blood cells) that protect the body against bacteria, viruses , protozoa, platelets (thrombocytes) - cells that can join together and form a clot that prevents the flow of blood from the damaged vessel.
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Blood count in pregnancy
» Red blood cells(E, RBC)
- Standard for women: 4.2-5.4 million / microliter
- pregnant: 3.5-4.5 million / microliter
Increasing the number of red blood cells is rare (e.g. in people who are high in the mountains), and the result below normal may be due to blood loss, vitamin B12, folate or iron deficiency. pregnancy is a physiological phenomenon.» Hemoglobin(HB, HGB)
- Standard for women: 11.5-15.5 g / dl
- pregnant: 11.5-13.5 g / dl
Hemoglobin is a component of red blood cells. Its task is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the individual cells of the body. This is the basic parameter that is used to diagnose anemia. Values above normal may indicate dehydration or hypoxia, and a value below normal usually indicates anemia (anemia) caused by too little iron. In pregnancy, low HGB is usually nothing to worry about.» Leukocytes , white blood cells (L, WBC)
- Standard for women: 4-10thousand / microliter
- pregnant: 10-15 thousand / microlitr
Leukocytes are cells that form in the bone marrow and lymph tissue. There are five types of these cells. They are: neutrophils, eosinophils, basocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes. The main function of leukocytes is to defend the body against pathogenic microorganisms. During pregnancy, there is a physiological increase in the value of leukocytes. It is similar during childbirth, under stress, after a meal and exercise. Pathological growth of leukocytes occurs in inflammatory processes, infections, with tissue damage, in neoplastic diseases. Values below the norm may indicate hematological diseases.» Platelets , thrombocytes (PLT)
- Standard for women: 140-440 thousand / microliter
- pregnant: 100-300 thousand / microliter (there are also much larger drops!)
Platelets are formed in the marrow and lymph tissue - they play a fundamental role in blood clotting. Their number should be monitored throughout pregnancy. Values above the norm may mean infection, cancer, regeneration after hemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia (PLT below normal) may be due to disease (lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia). During pregnancy, it is most often associated with physiological iron deficiency anemia.» Hematocrit(HCT)
- Standard for women: 37-47%
- pregnant: decrease by 4-7%
Hematocrit (HCT) is the ratio of red blood cell volume to plasma volume. The hematocrit value depends on the number of red blood cells, red blood cell volume, circulating blood volume, gender and age. Above normal: such values may be caused by tissue hypoxia, chronic lung diseases, heart defects, and cancer. Increased hematocrit can also be caused by a stay in the mountains or by treatment with steroids. Values below the normal range have been recorded in the presence of anemia and in situations of system overload.
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