Blood is a fluid substance that has fundamental functions for the proper functioning of the body, such as transporting oxygen, nutrients and hormones to cells, defending the body from foreign substances and invasive agents and regulating the body, as well as being responsible for tissue removal. . Substances produced in cellular activities that should not remain in the body, such as carbon dioxide and urea.
The blood is composed of water, enzymes, proteins, minerals and cells, such as red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes, which are the cells responsible for the functioning of the blood. Therefore, it is important that cells circulate in sufficient quantities to ensure the proper functioning of the organism. Changes in blood cell levels can be important in identifying certain diseases that may occur, such as anemia, leukemia, inflammation, or infection, for example, that need to be treated.
- The test that evaluates blood cells is known as a complete blood formula and it is not necessary to fast to perform this test.
- It is only indicated to avoid alcoholic beverages 48 hours before the test and avoid physical activities a day before.
- As they may interfere with the results.
- Find out what the blood formula is for and how to interpret it.
Blood consists of a liquid part and a solid part. The liquid part is called plasma, 90% of which is only water and the rest is composed of proteins, enzymes and minerals.
The solid part is composed of figurative elements, which are cells such as red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets and that play a fundamental role for the proper functioning of the body.
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood, viscous and yellowish. The plasma forms in the liver and the main proteins present are globulins, albumin and fibrinogen. Plasma carries carbon dioxide, nutrients and toxins produced by cells and is responsible for transporting drugs throughout the body.
Red blood cells are the solid red part of the blood that carries oxygen throughout the body because it contains hemoglobin. Red blood cells are produced by the bone marrow, last approximately 120 days and after this period are destroyed in the liver and spleen.
The number of red blood cells in 1 cubic mm in men is about 5 million and in women it is about 4.5 million, when these values are lower than expected, the person may develop anemia. This count can be performed using a test called a complete blood count.
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Leukocytes are responsible for the body’s defenses and are produced by the bone marrow and lymph nodes. Leukocytes are composed of neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes.
Learn more about leukocytes and reference values
Platelets are the cells responsible for stopping bleeding by forming blood clots. Each cubic millimeter of blood must contain between 150,000 and 400,000 platelets.
When the person has fewer platelets than normal, it is difficult to stop bleeding, there may be bleeding that can lead to death, and when there are more platelets than normal, there is a risk of thrombus formation that can displace obstruction of certain blood vessels that can cause a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. See what high and low platelet levels can mean.
Blood can be classified based on the presence or absence of antigens A and B on the surface of red blood cells. Thus, 4 blood groups can be defined according to the ABO classification:
The type of blood is identified at birth by laboratory tests. Find out all about your blood type.
Learn more about blood groups and understand how donation works in the video below: