Erythrocytes (EPK) measure the number of red blood cells per liter of blood and are thus a measure of the concentration of the red blood cells in the blood. The red blood cells have the task of binding oxygen molecules from the inhaled air in the lungs and transporting the oxygen out to all parts of the body, as well as returning carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.
Erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), also called hematocrit, indicates how much of the blood volume is made up of red blood cells. The red blood cells have the task of binding oxygen molecules from the inhaled air in the lungs and transporting the oxygen out to all parts of the body, as well as returning carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.
Hemoglobin (Hb) is also usually called the blood value. Hemoglobin is found inside the red blood cells (erythrocytes) and is the protein that binds oxygen molecules from the inhaled air in the lungs so that the red blood cells can then transport the oxygen to all parts of the body. Hemoglobin also contributes to the red blood cells maintaining their correct shape so that they can flow as well as possible through the blood vessels.
Leukocytes (LPK) is a test taken to check the number of white blood cells in the blood. The white blood cells are important for the body’s immune system and have the task of defending us against attacks from microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses.
Thrombocytes (TPK) are also called platelets. The platelets are important for blood coagulation (clotting ability), which has the task of stopping bleeding in the event of, for example, a wound by clumping together and forming a plug over the wound. They are also important for other parts of the body’s coagulation system.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is colloquially known as the “fast sinker” and is a protein that is formed in and released from the liver in connection with infection, inflammation or tissue damage.
MCH stands for “Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin” and is a measure of how much hemoglobin is inside the red blood cells. The red blood cells have the task of binding oxygen molecules from the inhaled air in the lungs and transporting the oxygen to all parts of the body. A majority of this oxygen is bound to the hemoglobin molecules found inside the red blood cells.
Anti-CCP is a so-called autoantibody, i.e. a protein in the body that incorrectly attacks the body’s own tissues and causes disease. The diseases that arise as a result of the formation of autoantibodies are usually called autoimmune diseases. Anti-CCP is an autoantibody that can occur in suspected rheumatoid arthritis (joint rheumatism), our most common rheumatic joint disease. Analysis of anti-CCP has similar sensitivity to analysis of rheumatoid factor (see this heading) for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, but anti-CCP is, however, a more specific test than rheumatoid factor is. This means that while the antibody rheumatoid factor can occur in several different rheumatic and inflammatory diseases, anti-CCP is usually only seen in the disease rheumatoid arthritis.
