Results, part 1

Results:

Normal values vary with altitude and gender.

What abnormal results may mean:

Low numbers of red blood cells may indicate:

Blood loss
Anemia (various types)
Hemorrhage
Bone marrow failure (for example, from radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor)
Erythropoietin deficiency (secondary to renal disease)
Hemolysis (RBC destruction) from transfusion reaction
Leukemia
Multiple myeloma
Malnutrition (nutritional deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6)
Over hydration

Low numbers of white blood cells (leukopenia) may indicate:

Bone marrow failure (for example, due to granuloma (granular tumor), tumor, or fibrosis)
Presence of cytotoxic substance
Collagen-vascular diseases (such as lupus erythematosus)
Disease of the liver or spleen
Radiation exposure

High numbers of white blood cells (leukocytosis) may indicate:

Infectious diseases
Inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergy)
Leukemia
Severe emotional or physical stress
Tissue damage (for example, burns)

A low hematocrit may indicate:

Anemia (various types)
Blood loss (hemorrhage)
Bone marrow failure (for example, due to radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor)
Hemolysis (RBC destruction) related to transfusion reaction
Leukemia
Malnutrition or specific nutritional deficiency
Multiple myeloma
Over hydration
Rheumatoid arthritis

A high hematocrit may indicate:

Dehydration
Burns
Diarrhea
Eclampsia
Erythrocytosis
Polycythemia vera
Shock

Low hemoglobin values may indicate:

Anemia (various types)
Blood loss

Review Date: 9/11/2006
Reviewed By: Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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