The Small Blood Count –A Brief Overview

What is a blood count?

A small blood count involves analyzing various cell components of your blood. It measures the number and quality of your red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes). The red blood pigment (haemoglobin) and the solid cell content of the blood (haematocrit) are also determined in the blood count. [1]

Red blood cells and haemoglobin are responsible for transporting oxygen in the body, white blood cells are part of the immune system and fight against infections and pathogens. Platelets help the blood to clot. The hematocrit value indicates what percentage of your total blood volume is made up of red blood cells (erythrocytes).

The small blood count allows doctors to suspect or sometimes even detect certain health conditions, such as iron deficiency anemia, infections or blood clotting disorders.

When is a small blood count done?

When Should I Do A Small Blood Count?

Here are some reasons and situations in which a small blood count is usually performed:

1. Routine Checkups: A small blood count is often part of a regular health checkup in preventive health care. It helps to detect general health problems at an early stage.

2. Symptoms such as fatigue or weakness: If you feel fatigued or weak all the time, a small blood count can help identify possible causes such as anemia, iron deficiency, or infections.

3. Suspected infection: If you suspect having an infection, for example by having a fever or other symptoms, a small blood count can help determine the presence and severity of the infection and identify the general condition of your blood cells.

   However, a complete blood count (CBC) is typically ordered in this scenario because it provides a more detailed insight into your white blood cells.

4. Bleeding tendency or blood clotting disorders: If you bruise easily or bleed abnormally, a small blood count may be used to check for possible issues with your platelets.

5. Monitoring chronic diseases: People with chronic conditions such as kidney or heart disease, anemia or autoimmune diseases often have a small blood count or complete blood count done to monitor disease progression and the effects of treatment.

6. Before and after operations: A small blood count is often done before surgical procedures to ensure that there are no bleeding risks and that the patient is in good general health. After surgery, it can help to monitor recovery and detect complications at an early stage.

7. Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the small blood count is typically performed as a regular blood test to monitor the health of the expectant mother and baby.

Small Blood Count — Which Values?

1. Erythrocytes (red blood cells): These cells transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
2. Leukocytes (white blood cells): These cells are part of the immune system and help fight infections.
3. Thrombocytes (platelets): These cells are important for blood clotting and wound healing.
4. Hemoglobin (Hb) content: Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen.
5. Hematocrit (Hct): The hematocrit value indicates what percentage of the blood volume is made up of red blood cells.

These five parameters form the basic values of the small blood count. As you can see, it is a quick and easy way to get basic information about your blood composition.

What Are the Normal Ranges for a Small Blood Count?

The following standard values serve only as reference ranges and may vary depending on the laboratory and individual state of health: [2]

Erythrocytes (red blood cells)

• Men: 4,50 - 5,9 T/l
• Women: 3.90 - 5.15

Leukocytes (white blood cells): 3.9 - 10.2 G/l

Thrombocytes (blood platelets): 150 - 370 G/l

Hemoglobin (Hb)

• Men: 13.5 - 17.2 g/dl
• Women: 12.0 - 15.4 g/dl

Hematocrit (Hct)

• Men: 39.50 - 50.50 %
• Women: 35.50 - 45 %

How much does a small blood count cost?

The cost of a small blood count in Switzerland is typically around CHF 100.

At CARE, the blood check-up, which even includes a complete blood count and many other important biomarkers in your blood such as cholesterol levels, iron status and specific vitamins, costs CHF 390.

Health insurance companies cover the costs of a small blood count if it is necessary for medical or preventive reasons, in which case the costs are usually covered by supplementary insurance

What Should I Do if My Blood Values Change?

If your blood values deviate from normal (too high or too low), it is important to take a systematic approach to determine the cause and take appropriate action.

1. Talk to your doctor: If your blood values change, the first and most essential step is to consult a medical professional. Your doctor can interpret the results, explain the causes of the abnormalities, and order further tests if necessary.
2. Discuss symptoms and medical history: Tell your doctor about any symptoms you may be experiencing, as well as your medical history. This information can help to identify the cause of the altered blood values.
3. Further investigations: Based on the initial results and your medical history, your doctor may order additional tests, such as a CBC, biochemical tests, or imaging tests, to provide a more accurate diagnosis.
4. Adjust lifestyle and diet: Sometimes, altered blood counts can be influenced by lifestyle or diet. A balanced diet, adequate fluid intake, regular physical activity, and sufficient sleep can have a positive effect on your blood values. Talk to our nutrition coaches and health coaches about this.
5. Check supplements: Discuss any supplements you are taking with your doctor. Some supplements can affect your blood count, and your doctor can make adjustments.

What Is the Difference Between A Small and Complete Blood Count?

The main difference between a complete blood count and a small blood count is the level of detail in the hematology department's examination of the blood components.

The small blood count usually focuses on basic values such as erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit but does not provide detailed information on the composition of white blood cells or on specific subtypes and their functions.

The complete blood count, also known as the differential blood count, extends this examination to include the various types of leukocytes (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils) and their distribution, thus providing a more precise analysis of the immune system.

The complete blood count also examines the MCV (mean cell volume), the average size of the erythrocytes, the MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), the average hemoglobin concentration in the erythrocytes, as well as the MCH (mean cell hemoglobin), the average hemoglobin content per erythrocyte. [3]

Conclusion

Although the small blood count can provide initial indications of possible health abnormalities, it is usually not sufficient to enable a comprehensive assessment. In many cases, the complete blood count is the better choice. At CARE, the blood check-up not only includes a complete blood count, but also analyzes biomarkers such as cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as selected vitamins. This provides a more complete picture of the patient's state of health and allows potential risks to be identified at an early stage. From a preventive point of view, as CARE sees it, the small blood count is not enough to make a well-founded statement about the general state of health.