Erythrocyte studies: Haemoglobin and hematocrit, Serum Iron, RBC

 ERYTHROCYTE STUDIES

A. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate  

 1. Description- Rate at which erythrocytes settle out of anticoagulated blood in 1  hour

    A nonspecific test used to detect illnesses associated with acute and chronic infection, inflammation, advanced neoplasm, and tissue necrosis or infraction

2. Value : 0 to 30 mm/hr, depending on the age of the client  

3. Nursing consideration: Fasting is not necessary, but a fatty meal may cause plasma alterations. 

B. Hemoglobin and hematocrit  

  Description 

• Haemoglobin is the main components of erythrocytes and serves as the vehicle for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide 
• Haemoglobin determinations are important in identifying anaemia. 
• Hematocrit represent red blood cell mass and is an important measurement in the identification of anaemia or polycythemia

 C. Serum iron

      1. Description 

• Iron is found predominantly in haemoglobin 
• Iron acts as a carrier of oxygen from the lungs to the tissue and indirectly aids in the rectum of carbon dioxide to the lungs.
• Iron aids in diagnosing anaemias and hemolytic disorders 

       2. Normal values 

• Male adult: 65 to 175 mcg/dl
• Female adult 50 to 170 mcg/dl

D. Red blood cell (RBC) count (erythrocytes 

       1. Description 

• Red blood cells function on haemoglobin transport, which results in delivery of oxygen to the body tissues 
• Red blood cells are formed by red bone marrow, have a life span of 120 days, and are removed from the blood via the liver,  spleen, and bone marrow 
• The red blood cell count aids in diagnosing anaemias and blood dyscrasias
• The red blood cell count elevates the ability of the body to produce red blood cells in sufficient numbers. 

       2. Values 

• Female adult: 4 to 5.5 million cells/ul
• Male adult: 4.5 to 6.2 million cells/ul

           Normal adult blood components 

  

    Blood components             Normal value

      Haemoglobin 

           Male adult                           14-16.5 g/dL

           Female adult                       12 - 15 g/dL

      Hematocrit 

           Male adult                          42% - 52%

           Female adult                      35% - 47%

      Iron

           Male adult                          65 - 175mcg/dL

           Female adult                      50 - 170 mcg/dL

     Red blood cells

           Male adult                         4.5 - 6.2 million/uL

           Female adult                     4.0 - 5.5million /uL