Dietary recommendations for blood donors. What not to do before donating blood: referral for analysis, preparation and rules for donation, compliance with the conditions for obtaining the correct result of blood tests

Often adults need to be examined in clinics, and a blood test is part of the process. By assessing blood composition indicators, the doctor can confirm the preliminary diagnosis or change it. Is it possible to smoke before taking a blood test? How big is the impact of nicotine?

Effect of cigarettes

Each specialist is aware of the situation with tobacco - smoking is prohibited before blood collection. Is it possible to smoke before donating blood on an empty stomach? If you smoke on an empty stomach, the analysis results will be distorted. Serum levels of catecholamines and cortisol are elevated in smokers.

How does the participation of these hormones affect the analysis? This often leads to a decrease in eosinophils and an increase in monocytes in the blood. Harmful addiction increases the number of red blood cells and reduces the level of white blood cells.

General requirements

Before donating blood from a vein or finger, the rules are as follows:

1. Blood is taken on an empty stomach, food intake is prohibited for 8-10 hours, purified water is allowed to drink.
2. You should not overload yourself with sports; it is recommended to avoid stress.
3. Alcoholic beverages, including beer, are prohibited.
4. Smoking is prohibited before the analysis.

If the test is not scheduled for the morning, you should not limit yourself to food intake for a long time. In this case, you can easily have breakfast 3 hours before the procedure.

Important! The smoking ban is equivalent to conventional analysis spent in the morning.

When donating blood for donation, you need to stop smoking a few hours in advance. As for drinking tea and coffee, you should exclude them when preparing for the test. The majority of doctors surveyed agree with this, even if drinking drinks without sugar, they activate the same processes in the body as eating food. When indicating blood donation on an empty stomach, tea and coffee must be excluded.

Before performing analysis on HIV infection, the recommendations are no different from a general blood test. 8 hours before the test, do not eat, smoke or drink alcohol.

24 hours before the test, it is recommended to unload the body. You should avoid fatty or heavy foods. Remove sweets if you have a habit of drinking coffee with sugar.

Before donating blood from a vein, stop smoking a day before. Experts assure that these components will have a detrimental effect on the test results. Before donating blood, you need to rest for a couple of minutes, since physical stress also affects a whole list of indicators.

How soon can you start eating? After the procedure, you can have a snack; you should not smoke for 2 hours. Especially when collecting blood from a vein in large quantities. Have a snack, you can dilute the snack with a cup of tea or coffee with sugar, this helps to restore strength.

Biochemical analysis

The results directly depend on the preparation for them. Before a biochemistry test, you need to refrain from sports and emotional turmoil. The consumption of alcohol and especially tobacco is prohibited during the day. You cannot suck candy or chew gum. A test is taken after a 12-hour fast - this is the main requirement. You will have to have dinner the day before no later than 18:00. If there is an urgent need to get tested, the fasting time is reduced to 4 hours.

Sugar analysis

Features of the analysis:

1. When taking a blood sugar test, an 8-hour break from eating is required; only water is allowed to drink. Alcohol and sweet waters are prohibited.
2. Smoking is strictly prohibited before taking a sugar test.
3. In the morning, you should not brush your teeth with a toothpaste containing sugar.
4. Be careful what you take medicines. If there are exacerbations of chronic diseases, report the problem to your doctor.
5. The results of the analysis may be distorted during the course of infectious diseases.
6. A few days before the procedure, you do not need to abuse smoking or alcohol, it takes a long time to be eliminated from the body, this will have a bad effect on the results.
7. Sports activities will have to be postponed for several days.

Important! Smoking has a negative impact on absolutely any blood tests; the substances contained in cigarettes interfere with physiological processes organism.

Smoking before taking the test may result in incorrect results. Before taking the test, you should try to abstain from smoking for at least 12-24 hours.

Blood donation is a common procedure prescribed by a doctor when a patient presents with almost any complaint. The question of whether you can eat before donating blood is relevant. Young mothers are especially worried about whether it is possible to feed a child for whom it is difficult to explain the refusal to eat. Specific recommendations depend on the type of analysis.

Rules for preparing for analysis

For many tests, blood is taken on an empty stomach - exactly how long you can’t eat depends on the type of test. The following are detailed descriptions most of the most common ones. How many hours before the test is not the only question related to preparation. Exist additional rules, the implementation of which affects the reliability of the result:

1. Alcohol should be eliminated for a few days. It is known that all particles of alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages are completely eliminated from the blood within 7–10 days. Alcohol you drank a week or two ago, especially a strong drink, can affect the result.
2. You must stop smoking within an hour. It is advisable that the last cigarette smoked be in the evening.
3. You can drink water before donating blood. It must be clean, preferably filtered, and not contain sugar or gas. You need to drink only if you want; if thirst appears, you cannot force yourself.
4. If medications are used on an ongoing basis, you must inform the doctor who ordered the test. He may recommend stopping taking it, then the person will continue to take the pills according to the previous regimen. Making decisions on your own to stop or continue medication treatment is dangerous.
5. The 15–30 minutes before the procedure should be quiet. It is necessary to exclude physical activity. If you had to get to the hospital for a long time, climb the stairs to the laboratory, you need to sit and catch your breath.

Advice! Chewing gum is prohibited. The pad may contain sugar and other flavor enhancers.

Nutrition before general analysis

Before a general blood test, you should not eat for at least 8 hours, preferably 12 before the procedure. Recommended delivery time is before 10 am, usually before this time strong feeling hunger does not come. If it appears, it is recommended to drink water, drowning out the desire to eat.

A few days before donating blood from a finger prick general indicators, it is recommended to adjust the diet by excluding fatty, fried, and smoked foods. These rules are similar to the principles proper nutrition, they allow you to remove in a few days previously accumulated harmful elements that appeared not due to gastrointestinal diseases, but due to overeating junk food. What you can eat, says the doctor who sent you for analysis; you can also get information from laboratory specialists.

Advice! You can take a few sandwiches to the hospital and eat them after leaving the office. This advice especially helps mothers with small children, who find it difficult to explain why they shouldn’t eat breakfast.

Before biochemical analysis

Many patients are referred for a biochemical blood test. With its help, you can identify pathological malfunctions in the operation of various internal organs. Standard analysis indicators are total protein, glucose, urea, cholesterol, bilirubin. Other substances are also tested as prescribed by the doctor. Possible indicators obtained as a result biochemical research blood, more than 30.

The last meal should occur 12 hours before the test. Fluid intake before the study is not limited. It does not affect the content of bilirubin, sugar, urea, or other indicators. Detailed recommendations The doctor should give it, he warns that you should not eat in the morning. It is forbidden to drink in the evening fatty foods.

Before donating blood for sugar

Before donating blood from a vein or finger for sugar, it is considered optimal to abstain from food for at least 8 hours; drinking water is not prohibited. The day before the analysis, you need to give up a number of foods:

• fast food;
• confectionery;
• sweet drinks;
• store-bought juices;
• food with fast carbohydrates.

These foods contain carbohydrates, their consumption leads to an increase in glucose levels. Even healthy body takes time to process. It is recommended to be careful not to transmit it, it is necessary to unload the body.

Other tests

Donating blood for other indicators has its own characteristics:

1. On TTG. Using this indicator you can determine the quality of work thyroid gland, affecting the functioning of all body systems. Blood is donated from a vein. An additional test for thyroid hormones may be prescribed - not only TSH, but also T3, T4. Before the test, you must stop eating for at least 12 hours. Avoid junk food for 3 days.
2. For HIV. The peculiarity of the analysis is that it can be given anonymously in special laboratories. Strict rules There is no preparation; it is usually recommended to refuse food 8 hours before the procedure.
3. Per group and Rh factor. These blood tests have nothing to do with food intake. You can take a test to determine your blood group at any time.
4. For donation. This analysis requires specific preparation. Although it is not done on an empty stomach, you must follow a diet (if possible) a few days before it. Eliminate fatty foods, fried foods, mayonnaise, and ketchup from your diet. The evening and morning before the test should be a light dinner and breakfast. In the morning, it is best to drink a cup of sweet tea or juice with a bun or biscuits.

Thus, in most cases, blood from a finger or vein is donated on an empty stomach. However, each analysis, depending on the indicators being determined, has its own recommendations for implementation. The doctor who ordered the study must familiarize the patient with them.

When getting ready to go to the clinic in the morning, everyone wondered: is it possible to eat before donating blood?

Of course, directly at the clinic itself, as a rule, they should ask whether we ate in the morning or not, but this does not always happen. Sometimes, when we come to the clinic for an appointment with a doctor and do not intend to take tests, we are put at a dead end and sent to donate blood. Justifying this by the fact that the necessary tests that the doctor needs do not depend on whether we ate in the morning or not. Therefore, there is confusion in the head and a complete misunderstanding of whether to eat before donating blood or not.

And to prevent such confusion from happening, there are rules that must be followed before going to donate blood.

1. Before taking the tests, you are allowed to drink a little water, without any kind of flavorings, dyes, and always plain, non-carbonated water.
2. Two, preferably three days before the test, do not drink alcohol.
3. The restrictions, oddly enough, also apply to physical exercise. Various kinds Excessive loads may affect results.
4. You should avoid visiting bathhouses and saunas.
5. When taking medications, you should consult your doctor to see if taking them affects the accuracy of the analysis.
6. The last one, but an important condition, which should not be neglected, get enough sleep and do not overexert yourself emotionally.
7. Do not take blood thinning medications before the test. If you are planning to donate blood to a child, it is best that for a long time If he was not hungry, give him a drink of plain water, and then give the child a banana or yogurt.

Before scheduled inspection you may be asked to take a complete blood test. And failure to comply with mandatory conditions, such as not chewing gum, not eating sweets, or drinking coffee, can falsely reveal a suspicion of diabetes.

Many experts disagree on whether it is necessary to be hungry in the evening or whether it is enough not to eat two or three hours before donating blood.

Remember, for an accurate analysis, you should donate blood on an empty stomach. This will help track changes in indicators and dynamics in the blood.

And also follow the rules below:

• In the evening, no later than six, there should be a last meal.

1. In the evening, do not eat anything fried, fatty or spicy.

1. It is not allowed to eat sweets: chocolate, cake, sugar.

1. It is advisable not to smoke before donating blood, or to do it two or three hours before. It is advisable to conduct studies, including repeated ones, in the same laboratory. This is important for the accuracy of the analysis, since clinics have different analyzers and different reagents and therefore there may be slight discrepancies in the indicators. If the doctor warned you in advance that you can eat before donating blood necessary analysis, then breakfast should be as light as possible. Meat and dairy products are not allowed, this includes butter.

This test is mainly performed to diagnose and determine diabetes mellitus.

1. The doctor referring you should tell you whether you should take this test on an empty stomach or not, since it is taken both on an empty stomach and after eating.

1. You cannot drink tea, juice or coffee. This is equivalent to eating.

1. IN special cases if you check thyroid gland or any other hormones, then the doctor is obliged to warn you which foods need to be excluded from the diet.

What rules to follow when preparing for a biochemical blood test?

The following preparation is carried out for passing biochemistry:

1. Blood is donated exclusively on an empty stomach, so you need to eat ten hours before, and when checking for cholesterol, eat fourteen hours before.
2. For about three days, physical activity is eliminated. Cardio, running and any overexertion.
3. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited from consumption three days before the test.
4. It is also necessary to get enough sleep and maintain emotional peace, and sit quietly just before the blood draw.
5. Consult your doctor if you are taking medications. In some cases, you cannot take medications before donating blood.

What to do and what rules exist if you want to become a blood donor

Any capable person can be a donor, provided that he is at least 18 years old. You can become a donor if you don't have medical contraindications and it is important that your desire is voluntary. Before submitting, the following information is presented:

1. Identity document.
2. Information about surgical interventions ah and past infectious diseases.
3. And a medical examination is carried out. The donor must be healthy at the time of donating blood, not have serious problems health in the past. These include viral hepatitis, serious illnesses cordially - vascular system, HIV, syphilis, venereal diseases, metabolic diseases. On the day of donation, a general blood test is checked, in which the doctor looks at the content of hemoglobin and platelets. The state establishes social guarantees for everyone who decides to donate blood.
   Employees are given a day off from work on the days of blood donation and medical examination. But if the donor decides to go to work, then the due day off is transferred to any day convenient for the donor or added to the vacation. On the day of blood donation, the donor who donated it free of charge is provided with free food at the expense of the organization collecting the blood. Or a fee for donating blood is determined from the subsistence level in the amount of 8 to 45% established at the time of blood donation. There is no need to be afraid to donate blood; all donor points are provided with disposable and sterile equipment, which makes blood donation safe.

Experts say that in scientifically based doses, regular blood donation is even beneficial. After all, since ancient times, many diseases were treated with blood donations and bloodletting.

Regular donors tolerate blood loss more easily. The body's protective compensatory mechanisms work faster during periods of stress.

And 450 ml of blood is not critical blood loss. It will quickly recover within two hours and will be mobilized from the body.

Donation also has a positive effect on emotional state person, so most donors are active, cheerful people.

Can a donor eat before donating blood?

1. Most important rule, you cannot donate blood on an empty stomach. Be sure to have breakfast.
2. Eliminate spicy, smoked, fatty and fried foods.
3. Do not smoke a few hours before the procedure and after donating blood.
4. It is imperative to get enough sleep and be rested. And to balance fluid in the body, you need to drink more water. Before the procedure, drink sweet tea with something sweet, a bun or cookies.

What to do after donating blood.

1. Take your time, immediately run away, sit a little calmly.
2. Do not remove the patch for several hours and do not wet it.
3. Keep your arm bent at the elbow for about 15 minutes, this must be done to prevent bruising.
4. It is better to wash the next day.
5. And of course, drink more water and stay healthy.

Donating blood is a responsible procedure that accompanies a person throughout his life. It needs to be prepared in advance. Regardless of the form of the survey, restrictions on food intake are almost the same. Strict adherence to the recommended diet will help to carry out the analysis most accurately and identify existing deviations. In the case of donation, neglecting the established rules and recommendations is completely unacceptable, otherwise harm will be caused to health, and the donated blood will not bring benefit to those in need.

Donating blood for tests

Blood is taken for a variety of tests (biochemistry, infections, sugar, general,). The procedure is carried out exclusively on an empty stomach, the last one is easy food intake is allowed 6-8 hours before the procedure. That is why a blood test is usually taken in the morning - at night it is usually not difficult to maintain the specified time interval. 2 days before it is recommended to switch to special diet by excluding from the diet:

• Fatty and fried foods;
• Smoked meats;
• Alcohol;
• Medications (analgin, aspirin);
• Spices;
• Confectionery.

In the case of a general analysis, the diet can be neglected. It is also unacceptable to smoke before the procedure - 2 hours of abstinence from smoking will improve the test result.

Consequences of not following the diet

It is easy to neglect the established rules, but the consequences are inevitable. Why can’t you eat the listed foods before donating blood? Everything is explained very simply - consuming prohibited products will lead to false tests. After eating food, the number of leukocytes in a person’s blood temporarily increases, which is reflected in the tests. Based on the received erroneous data, the doctor will refer the person for all kinds of examinations to detect an infection (which does not exist).

Donating blood for donation:what you need to know

Under no circumstances should donors come to the procedure on an empty stomach! The night before the test, you should stop eating fatty, fried, salted, peppered and smoked foods, and exclude dairy products, butter, eggs, dates, bananas and chocolate from your diet. It is allowed to consume cereals, pasta, fruits, vegetables, sweet drinks (tea, coffee, fruit drinks, juices, compotes).

Stop taking medications (aspirin, analgesics, antibiotics) 72 hours before and alcohol 48 hours before. One hour before the test you are not allowed to smoke. It is not allowed to come to the procedure in a tired state, after a night shift.

After donating blood, donors need to eat plenty of food and drink for 2 days. a large number of liquids. You should refrain from smoking for an hour after the procedure, and do not drink alcohol for 24 hours.

Thank you

General blood analysis is a widely used laboratory test, which makes it possible to establish and suspect a large number of pathologies, as well as monitor a person’s condition during chronic pathologies or during ongoing therapy. In a word, a general blood test is both a universal and a nonspecific test, since its results can be correctly deciphered and interpreted only in connection with a person’s clinical symptoms.

General blood test - characteristics

A general blood test is now correctly called clinical blood test. However, doctors, laboratory staff, and patients still use the old and familiar term “general blood count” or, in short, CBC. Everyone is accustomed to the old term and understands what it means, so various changes in terminology are simply not perceived by either doctors or patients, and therefore the name general blood test continues to reign in everyday life. In the following text we will also use an everyday term that is familiar to everyone, and not a new one correct name so as not to confuse anyone or cause confusion.

Currently, a complete blood count is a routine method. laboratory diagnostics the widest spectrum various pathologies. This analysis is used to confirm a suspected disease, and to identify hidden pathologies that do not manifest symptoms, and for preventive examination, and to monitor a person’s condition during treatment or chronic course incurable disease etc., as it gives wide range information about the state of the blood system and the body as a whole. This versatility of a general blood test is explained by the fact that during its implementation various blood parameters are determined, which are influenced by the condition of all organs and tissues of the human body. And, therefore, any pathological changes in the body are reflected to varying degrees of severity on blood parameters, because it reaches literally every cell of our body.

But the general blood test has similar universality reverse side– it is non-specific. That is, changes in each parameter of a general blood test may indicate various pathologies from the different organs and systems. Based on the results of a general blood test, a doctor cannot unambiguously say what disease a person has, but can only make an assumption consisting of a whole list of various pathologies. And in order to accurately diagnose pathology, it is necessary, firstly, to take into account the person’s clinical symptoms, and secondly, assign others additional research, which are more specific.

So the general clinical analysis blood, on the one hand, provides a large amount of information, but on the other hand, this information requires clarification and can serve as the basis for further targeted examination.

Currently, a general blood test necessarily includes counting the total number of leukocytes, red blood cells and platelets, determining the level of hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and counting the number of different types of leukocytes - neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes (leukocyte formula). These parameters are determined in any laboratory and are mandatory components of a general blood test.

However, due to widespread V last years various automated analyzers, the general blood test may include other parameters determined by these devices (for example, hematocrit, average erythrocyte volume, average hemoglobin content in one erythrocyte, average platelet volume, thrombocrit, reticulocyte count, etc.). All these additional parameters are not required for a general blood test, but since they are automatically determined by the analyzer, the laboratory staff includes them in the final test result.

In general, the use of analyzers allows you to perform a general blood test quickly and process large quantity samples per unit of time, but this method does not make it possible to deeply evaluate various pathological changes in the structure of blood cells. In addition, analyzers, just like people, make mistakes, and therefore their result cannot be considered the ultimate truth or more accurate than the result of manual calculations. And the number of indices automatically calculated by analyzers is also not an indicator of their advantage, since they are calculated based on the main values ​​of the analysis - the number of platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes, hemoglobin, leukocyte formula, and therefore can also be erroneous.

That is why experienced doctors Laboratory staff are often asked to difficult cases carry out a general blood test in manual mode, since this method is individual and allows you to identify features and nuances that no device is able to determine, working according to certain averaged canons and norms. We can say that a general blood test in manual mode is like individual tailoring, like handmade, but the same analysis on an automatic analyzer is like mass production of clothing according to average patterns or like working on an assembly line. Accordingly, the difference between manual blood analysis and on an analyzer is the same as between manual individual production and assembly line assembly. For example, when working with an analyzer, you can detect anemia (low hemoglobin level), but to determine its cause you will have to perform additional studies. If the blood test is carried out manually, then the laboratory assistant can determine the cause of anemia in most cases based on the size and structure of red blood cells.

Naturally, with sufficient experience of the laboratory technician, a manual general blood test is more accurate and complete than one done on an analyzer. But to perform such analyzes you need a staff of laboratory technicians and their rather painstaking and lengthy training, but to work on the analyzer, a smaller number of specialists is sufficient, and they will not have to be trained so carefully with the layout of various nuances and “undercurrents”. The reasons for switching to a simpler, but less informative general blood test on the analyzer are manifold, and everyone can identify them on their own. We will not talk about them, since they are not the subject of the article. But as part of the description of the differences between the options for manual and automatic performance of a general blood test, we must mention this.

Any version (manual or on an analyzer) of a general blood test is widely used in medical practice doctors of all specialties. Without it, a routine preventive annual examination and any examination regarding a person’s disease is unthinkable.

Currently, a blood sample from a vein or from a finger can be used for a general blood test. The results of the study of both venous and capillary (from a finger) blood are equally informative. Therefore, you can choose the method of donating blood (from a vein or from a finger) that the person prefers and is better tolerated. However, if you have to donate blood from a vein for other tests, then it is rational to take a sample of venous blood in one go for a general analysis.

What does a general blood test show?

The result of a general blood test shows functional state body and allows us to detect the presence of general pathological processes in it, such as, for example, inflammation, tumors, worms, viral and bacterial infections, heart attacks, intoxication (including poisoning with various substances), hormonal imbalances, anemia, leukemia, stress, allergies , autoimmune diseases etc. Unfortunately, based on the results of a general blood test, one can only identify any of these pathological processes, but it is almost impossible to understand which organ or system is affected. To do this, the doctor must combine the data of a general blood test and the symptoms the patient has, and only then can it be said that there is, for example, inflammation in the intestines or in the liver, etc. And then, based on the identified common pathological process, to make a diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe additional necessary research and laboratory tests.

Thus, to summarize, we can say that a general blood test shows which path (inflammation, dystrophy, tumor, etc.) a certain pathology occurs in a person. Together with the symptoms, according to a general blood test, it is possible to localize the pathology - to understand which organ is affected. But then to make a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes clarifying tests and examinations. Thus, a general blood test combined with symptoms is an invaluable guide in the matter. diagnostics: “What to look for and where to look?”

In addition, a general blood test allows you to monitor a person’s condition during therapy, as well as during acute or incurable chronic diseases, and promptly adjust the treatment. For the purpose of evaluation general condition body, a general blood test is also required to be taken in preparation for planned and emergency operations, after surgical interventions to monitor complications, for injuries, burns and any other acute conditions.

Also, a general blood test must be taken as part of preventive examinations for comprehensive assessment state of human health.

Indications and contraindications for a general blood test

Indications for a general blood test are following situations and states:

• Preventive examination (annual, upon entry to work, upon registration in educational establishments, kindergartens, etc.);
• Routine examination before hospitalization;
• Suspicion of existing infectious, inflammatory diseases(a person may be bothered by elevated body temperature, lethargy, weakness, drowsiness, pain in any part of the body, etc.);
• Suspicion of blood diseases and malignant tumors (a person may be bothered by pallor, frequent colds, prolonged non-healing of wounds, fragility and hair loss, etc.);
• Monitoring the effectiveness of therapy for the existing disease;
• Monitoring the course of the existing disease.

There are no contraindications for a general blood test. However, if a person has serious illnesses (for example, severe agitation, low blood pressure, impaired blood clotting, etc.), this may cause difficulties in collecting a blood sample for analysis. In such cases, blood sampling is carried out in a hospital setting.

Before a general blood test (preparation)

Taking a general blood test does not require any special preparation, so there is no need to follow any special diet. It is enough to eat as usual, abstaining from consumption alcoholic drinks during the day.

However, since a general blood test must be taken on an empty stomach, you must abstain from any food for 12 hours before taking the blood sample, but you can drink liquids without restriction. In addition, 12–14 hours before taking a blood test, it is advisable to refrain from smoking, high physical activity and strong emotional impressions. If for some reason it is impossible to refuse food for 12 hours, then a general blood test is allowed 4 to 6 hours after the last meal. Also, if it is not possible to eliminate smoking, physical and emotional stress within 12 hours, then you should abstain from them for at least half an hour before taking the test.

Children need to be reassured before taking a general blood test, as prolonged crying can cause an increase in the total number of leukocytes.

It is advisable to stop taking medications 2–4 days before taking a blood test, but if this is not possible, then you must tell the doctor exactly what medications you are taking.

It is also advisable to take a general blood test before any other medical procedures. In other words, if a person has to go through comprehensive examination, then you first need to take a general blood test, and only after that go for other diagnostic procedures.

Complete blood test

General rules for taking a general blood test

To perform a general analysis, blood is taken from a finger (capillary) or from a vein (venous) into test tubes. For half an hour before taking the test, you should refrain from smoking, physical activity and strong emotional impressions, as these factors can distort the result. It is advisable to go to the clinic half an hour before the test, undress and sit quietly in the corridor, calm down and come to good location spirit. If a child takes a general blood test, you need to calm him down and try not to let him cry, since prolonged crying can also distort the result of the study. It is advisable for women not to take a general blood test before and during menstruation, since during these physiological periods the result may be inaccurate.

After taking a general blood test, you can go about your normal activities, since taking a blood sample does not have a significant impact on your well-being.

General blood test from a finger

To perform a general analysis, blood can be taken from a finger. To do this, the doctor or laboratory assistant wipes the pad of the finger of the non-working hand (left for right-handers and right for left-handers) with cotton wool moistened with an antiseptic (alcohol, Belasept liquid, etc.), after which he quickly pierces the skin of the pad with a scarifier or lancet. Next, lightly squeeze the fingertip on both sides so that blood comes out. The first drop of blood is removed with a swab moistened with an antiseptic. Next, the laboratory assistant collects the protruding blood with a capillary and transfers it to a test tube. After collecting the required amount of blood, cotton wool moistened with an antiseptic is applied to the puncture site, which must be held for several minutes to stop the bleeding.

Blood is usually taken from ring finger, but if after puncturing the pad it is not possible to squeeze out even a drop of blood, then another finger is punctured. In some cases, you have to prick several fingers to get the required amount of blood. If it is impossible to take blood from a finger, then it is taken from the earlobe or heel using the same method as from a finger.

General blood test from a vein

To perform a general analysis, blood can be taken from a vein. Usually the sampling is carried out from the ulnar vein of the non-working arm (left for right-handed people and right for left-handed people), but if this is not possible, then blood is taken from the veins on the back of the hand or foot.

To take blood from a vein, apply a tourniquet to the arm just below the shoulder, ask to clench and unclench your fist several times, so that in the area of ​​the elbow bend they clearly appear, swell and become visible veins. After which the area of ​​the elbow bend is treated with a swab moistened with an antiseptic, and the vein is pierced with a syringe needle. Having entered the vein, the nurse pulls the plunger of the syringe towards herself, drawing blood. When the required amount of blood has been collected, the nurse removes the needle from the vein, pours the blood into a test tube, puts cotton wool moistened with an antiseptic at the puncture site and asks you to bend your arm at the elbow. The hand must be held in this position for several minutes until the bleeding stops.

Should I take a general blood test on an empty stomach or not?

A general blood test should be taken only on an empty stomach, since eating food causes an increase in the number of blood leukocytes. This phenomenon is called alimentary (food) leukocytosis, and is considered the norm. That is, if a person takes a general blood test within the next 4 to 6 hours after eating and receives a large number of leukocytes, then this is the norm and not a sign of pathology.

That is why, in order to obtain a reliable and accurate result, a general blood test should always be taken only on an empty stomach after a previous 8-14 hour fast. Accordingly, it is clear why a general blood test is recommended to be taken in the morning on an empty stomach - when a sufficiently long period of fasting has passed after a night's sleep.

If for some reason it is impossible to take a general blood test in the morning on an empty stomach, then the test is allowed at any time of the day, but only at least 4 hours after the last meal. Thus, from the moment a person has eaten until a general blood test is taken, at least 4 hours should pass (but it is better if more passes - 6 - 8 hours).

General blood test indicators

The following indicators are required to be included in the general blood test:

• Total red blood cell count (may be referred to as RBC);
• Total white blood cell count (may be referred to as WBC);
• Total platelet count (may be referred to as PLT);
• Hemoglobin concentration (can be designated as HGB, Hb);
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (may be referred to as ESR);
• Hematocrit (may be referred to as HCT);
• The number of different types of leukocytes in percentage (leukocyte formula) - neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. IN leukocyte formula the percentage of young and blast forms of leukocytes, plasma cells, and atypical mononuclear cells is also separately indicated, if any are detected in the blood smear.

Sometimes doctors prescribe an abbreviated general blood test, called a "troika", which determines only the hemoglobin concentration, the total number of white blood cells and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In principle, such an abbreviated version is not a general blood test, but within the framework of its use in one medical institution similar terms are used.

In addition to the specified mandatory parameters, additional indicators may be included in the general blood test. These indicators are not specifically determined; they are automatically calculated by the hematology analyzer on which the analysis is performed. Depending on the programs installed in the analyzer, the following parameters may additionally be included in the general blood test:

• Absolute content (number) of neutrophils (can be designated as NEUT#, NE#);
• Absolute content (number) of eosinophils (can be designated as EO#);
• Absolute content (number) of basophils (can be designated as BA#);
• Absolute content (number) of lymphocytes (can be designated as LYM#, LY#);
• Absolute content (number) of monocytes (can be designated as MON#, MO#);
• Mean erythrocyte volume (MCV);
• Average hemoglobin content in one red blood cell in picograms (MSN);
• Concentration of hemoglobin in one red blood cell in percent (MCHC);
• The width of the distribution of red blood cells by volume (can be designated as RDW-CV, RDW);
• Mean platelet volume (MPV);
• Platelet distribution width by volume (can be referred to as PDW);
• The relative content of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils in percentage (can be designated as MXD%, MID%);
• The absolute content (number) of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils (can be designated as MXD#, MID#);
• The relative content of immature granulocytes - neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils in percentage (can be designated as IMM% or young forms);
• The absolute content (number) of immature granulocytes - neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils (may be referred to as IMM # ​​or young forms);
• The relative content of all granulocytes - neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils as a percentage (may be referred to as GR%, GRAN%);
• The absolute content (number) of all granulocytes - neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils (may be referred to as GR #, GRAN #);
• The relative content of atypical lymphocytes in percent (may be referred to as ATL%);
• The absolute content (number) of atypical lymphocytes (may be referred to as ATL#).

The above additional parameters are included in the general blood test in cases where they are automatically calculated by the analyzer. But since analyzers can be different, the list of such additional parameters of a general blood test is also different, and depends on the type of hematological apparatus. In principle, these additional parameters are not very necessary, since if necessary, the doctor can calculate them independently based on the main indicators of a general blood test. Therefore, in fact, in practice, doctors pay little attention to all the additional parameters in the general blood test calculated by the analyzer. Accordingly, you should not be upset if the general blood test contains few or no additional parameters indicated, since they, in principle, are not needed.

Norms of general blood test in adults

You need to know that an adult is considered a person who has reached the age of 18. Accordingly, the norms for various indicators of a general blood test for adults apply to people over 18 years of age. Below we will look at what are the normal values ​​of both basic and additional parameters of a general blood test for adults. At the same time, you need to know that average normal values ​​are given, and more precise limits of norms need to be clarified in each specific laboratory, since they may differ depending on the region, the characteristics of the work of analyzers and laboratory technicians, the reagents used, etc.

So, the total number of red blood cells is calculated in pieces per liter or microliter. Moreover, if the count is carried out per liter, then the number of red blood cells is indicated as follows: X T/l, where X is the number, and T/l is tera per liter. The word tera means the number 1012. Thus, if the result of the analysis says 3.5 T/l, then this means that 3.5 * 1012 red blood cells circulate in one liter of blood. If the count is carried out per microliter, then the number of red blood cells is denoted by X million/μl, where X is a number, and million/μl is a million per microliter. Accordingly, if it is indicated that there are 3.5 million red blood cells/μl, then this means that 3.5 million red blood cells circulate in one microliter. It is characteristic that the number of erythrocytes in T/l and million/μl coincides, since between them there is only a mathematical difference in the unit of measurement of 106. That is, tera is 106 more than a million, and a liter is 106 more than a microliter, and, therefore, the concentration of erythrocytes in T/l and million/μl is absolutely the same, and only the unit of measurement differs.

Normally, the total number of red blood cells is 3.5 - 4.8 in adult women and 4.0 - 5.2 in adult men.

The normal total number of platelets in the blood in men and women is 180 – 360 G/l. The unit of measurement G/l means 109 pieces per liter. Thus, if, for example, the number of platelets is 200 G/l, this means that 200 * 109 platelets circulate in a liter of blood.

The total number of leukocytes is normal in men and women 4 – 9 G/l. Also, the number of leukocytes can be counted in thousand/μl (thousands per microliter), and it is exactly the same as in G/l, since both the number of pieces and the volume differ by 106, and the concentration is the same.

According to the leukocyte formula, the blood of adult men and women normally contains different kinds leukocytes in the following ratios:

• Neutrophils – 47–72% (of which 0–5% are young, 1–5% are band-nuclear and 40–70% are segmented);
• Eosinophils – 1 – 5%;
• Basophils – 0 – 1%
• Monocytes – 3 – 12%;
• Lymphocytes – 18 – 40%.

Blasts, atypical mononuclear cells and plasma cells are normally not found in the blood of adults. If there are any, then they are also counted as a percentage.

The normal hemoglobin concentration in adult women is 120 – 150 g/l, and in adult men – 130 – 170 g/l. In addition to g/l, hemoglobin concentration can be measured in g/dl and mmol/l. To convert g/l to g/dl, divide the g/l value by 10 to get the g/dl value. Accordingly, to convert g/dL to g/L, you need to multiply the hemoglobin concentration value by 10. To convert the value in g/L to mmol/L, you need to multiply the number in g/L by 0.0621. And to convert mmol/l to g/l, you need to multiply the hemoglobin concentration in mmol/l by 16.1.

The normal hematocrit for adult women is 35 – 47, and for men – 39 – 54.

The normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in women 17–60 years old is 5–15 mm/hour, and in women over 60 years old it is 5–20 mm/hour. ESR in men aged 17 – 60 years is normally less than 3 – 10 mm/hour, and over 60 years – less than 3 – 15 mm/hour.

The normal mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) is 76–103 fl in men and 80–100 fl in women.

The hemoglobin concentration in one red blood cell (MCHC) is normally 32 – 36 g/dl.

The normal distribution width of erythrocytes by volume (RDW-CV) is 11.5 – 14.5%.

The normal mean platelet volume (MPV) in adult men and women is 6 – 13 fL.

The normal platelet distribution width (PDW) is 10–20% in men and women.

The absolute content (number) of lymphocytes (LYM#, LY#) in normal adults is 1.2 - 3.0 G/l or thousand/µl.

The relative content of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils (MXD%, MID%) is normally 5-10%.

The absolute content (number) of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils (MXD#, MID#) is normally 0.2 - 0.8 G / l or thousand / μl.

The absolute content (number) of monocytes (MON#, MO#) is normally 0.1 - 0.6 G/l or thousand/µl.

The absolute content (number) of neutrophils (NEUT#, NE#) is normally 1.9 - 6.4 G/l or thousand/µl.

The absolute content (number) of eosinophils (EO#) is normally 0.04 - 0.5 G / l or thousand / μl.

The absolute content (number) of basophils (BA#) is normally up to 0.04 G/l or thousand/µl.

The relative content of immature granulocytes - neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils as a percentage (IMM% or young forms) is normally no more than 5%.

The absolute content (number) of immature granulocytes - neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils (IMM# or young forms) is normally no more than 0.5 G/l or thousand/μl.

The relative content of all granulocytes - neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils (GR%, GRAN%) is normally 48 - 78%.

The absolute content (number) of all granulocytes - neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils (GR#, GRAN#) is normally 1.9 - 7.0 G/l or thousand/μl.

The relative content of atypical lymphocytes (ATL%) is normally absent.

The absolute content (number) of atypical lymphocytes (ATL#) is normally absent.

Table of norms for general blood test in adults

Below, for ease of perception, we present the norms of a general blood test for adults in the form of a table.

Index	Norm for men	Norm for women
Total red blood cell count	4.0 – 5.2 T/l or million/µl	3.5 – 4.8 T/l or million/µl
Total white blood cell count	4.0 – 9.0 G/l or thousand/µl	4.0 – 9.0 G/l or thousand/µl
Neutrophils (neutrophil granulocytes) in general	47 – 72 %	47 – 72 %
Young neutrophils	0 – 5 %	0 – 5 %
Band neutrophils	1 – 5 %	1 – 5 %
Segmented neutrophils	40 – 70 %	40 – 70 %
Eosinophils	1 – 5 %	1 – 5 %
Basophils	0 – 1 %	0 – 1 %
Monocytes	3 – 12 %	3 – 12 %
Lymphocytes	18 – 40 %	18 – 40 %
Hemoglobin concentration	130 – 170 g/l	120 – 150 g/l
Total platelet count	180 – 360 G/l or thousand/µl	180 – 360 G/l or thousand/µl
Hematocrit	36 – 54	35 – 47
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate	17 – 60 years – 3 – 10 mm/hour Over 60 years old – 3 – 15 mm/hour	17 – 60 years – 5 – 15 mm/hour Over 60 years old – 5 – 20 mm/hour
Mean erythrocyte volume (MCV)	76 – 103 fl	80 – 100 fl
Average hemoglobin content in erythrocytes (MSH)	26 – 35 pg	27 – 34 pg
Hemoglobin concentration in one red blood cell (MCHC)	32 – 36 g/dl or 320 – 370 g/l	32 – 36 g/dl or 320 – 370
Red blood cell distribution width by volume (RDW-CV)	11,5 – 16 %	11,5 – 16 %
Mean platelet volume (MPV)	6 – 13 fl	6 – 13 fl
Platelet distribution width by volume (PDW)	10 – 20 %	10 – 20 %

The table above shows the main indicators of a general blood test with their normal values for men and women.

In the table below we present the values ​​of the norms of additional indicators, which are the same for men and women.

Index	Norm
Absolute content (number) of lymphocytes (LYM#, LY#)	1.2 – 3.0 G/l or thousand/µl
Relative content of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils (MXD%, MID%)	5 – 10 %
Absolute content (number) of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils (MXD#, MID#)	0.2 – 0.8 G/l or thousand/µl
Absolute content (number) of monocytes (MON#, MO#)	0.1 – 0.6 G/l or thousand/µl
Absolute content (number) of neutrophils (NEUT#, NE#)	1.9 – 6.4 G/l or thousand/µl
Absolute content (number) of eosinophils (EO#)	0.04 – 0.5 G/l or thousand/µl
Absolute content (number) of basophils (BA#)	up to 0.04 G/l or thousand/μl
Relative content of immature granulocytes (IMM%)	No more than 5%
Absolute content (number) of immature granulocytes (IMM#)	No more than 0.5 G/l or thousand/μl
Relative content of total granulocytes (GR%, GRAN%)	48 – 78 %
Absolute content (number) of all granulocytes (GR#, GRAN#)	1.9 – 7.0 G/l or thousand/µl
Relative (ATL%) and absolute (ATL#) content of atypical lymphocytes	None

General blood test in children - normal

Below, for ease of perception, we will indicate the norms of indicators of a general blood test for children of different ages. It should be remembered that these norms are averaged, they are given for approximate orientation only, and exact values the norms need to be clarified in the laboratory, as they depend on the types of equipment used, reagents, etc.

Index	Norm for boys	Norm for girls
Total red blood cell count