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.
MCV is an abbreviation for “Mean Corpuscular Volume” and is a measure of the size of 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Folate, also known as Vitamin B9. Important for growth and a prerequisite for the formation of red blood cells and the body’s other cells. Folate is also important in pregnant women for fetal development and stimulation of milk production.
Ferritin is a protein that binds and stores iron in the body, and is analyzed to get an idea of how large the body’s iron stores are. Iron is a mineral that the body needs as it is an important component of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in our red blood cells, i.e. the cells in the blood that transport oxygen to our tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs where they can be eliminated via the exhaled air.
Vitamin B12 which is also called cobalamin. Needed for the formation of red blood cells and for our nervous system to function optimally. The body itself cannot produce this vitamin, it must be taken in through the diet.
Homocysteine is an amino acid and an important building block in the body’s proteins. Homocysteine is converted into other types of amino acids in the body, but for this to happen, sufficient levels of the B vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin) are required, as well as the enzymes needed for this process to be able to happen. High levels of homocysteine in the blood are therefore seen with a lack of these B vitamins, but also with certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, underfunctioning of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), the skin disease psoriasis and when taking certain drugs (such as Omeprazole, statins and metformin and certain antiepileptics) . There are studies that indicate that elevated homocysteine levels in the blood may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it has not been possible to show that supplementation of these B vitamins can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with high homocysteine levels. At present, therefore, more research is required in this area in order for any recommendations to be made.
Iron is a mineral that the body needs as it is an important component of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in our red blood cells, i.e. the cells in the blood that transport oxygen to our tissues and the waste product carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs where they can be eliminated via the exhaled air. A low iron value can lead to blood deficiency (anemia) and reduced oxygen transport capacity. This condition is called iron deficiency anemia. Iron is also needed for our muscles and internal organs to function normally. The body gets iron through the food we eat.
Magnesium is a trace element that is of great importance for most functions in the body and is needed for our nerves and muscles to function, for our energy metabolism to function normally and for our genes to be formed correctly. Magnesium cannot be produced by the body itself, but must be taken in through food. A deficiency is usually due to getting too little magnesium through the diet or taking medication that impairs magnesium absorption in the gut. 60% of all magnesium in our body is in the skeleton, 39% in our cells, of which half of this in our muscle cells and 1% outside the cells such as in the blood where it can be measured. As magnesium participates in many different processes in the body, magnesium deficiency can cause symptoms from many different organs. However, symptoms often appear late in the course and these are often diffuse.
Vitamin D differs from other vitamins in that it is also a so-called steroid hormone and has a central role in regulating the body’s calcium and phosphate balance. The vitamin is required for building up our skeleton but is also important for the body’s cells to be able to divide normally and for a well-functioning immune system. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to the occurrence of a number of conditions such as winter and spring depression, fatigue, fibromyalgia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Zinc is a mineral found in cells throughout the body and is needed for the body’s immune system to function properly. Zinc also fulfills a function in cell division, cell growth, wound healing and affects the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Zinc also plays an important role in metabolism.
