How to read blood work

Routine blood tests include four major categories: white blood cell count, red blood cell count, platelet count, and hemoglobin amount. The white blood cell count items also include the counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes and their respective percentages. In the case of inflammatory diseases, such as bacterial infections or appendicitis, the white blood cells in the routine blood count can be elevated, with routine white blood cell values greater than 10 x 10^9/L, sometimes even higher, and neutrophils elevated at the same time, with a percentage greater than 80%. If the infection is relatively mild, the white blood cell count can be normal and the number of neutrophils can be elevated. Erythrocytes and hemoglobin are a reflection of the red blood cells in the body, for example, if they are elevated, there may be erythrocytosis; if they are decreased, there may be bleeding in the body or chronic blood loss, for example, excessive menstruation can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin. Platelet count is a reflection of the agglutination within the blood. If the platelet count is too high, it may cause the blood to agglutinate and form blood clots; if the platelet count decreases, it may cause bleeding in the body, including bleeding gums and bleeding under the skin.