|
What Does The Complete Blood Count Tell My Rheumatologist? A complete blood count, which includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, differential (what types of white blood cells are present), including platelet count, is 1 pertaining to the most common baseline tests ordered in a particular arthritis clinic. It is used for diagnosis including monitoring of medications including is additionally used to detect blood disorders such as anemia. Understanding the cause of anemia in a patient with arthritis is important to providing appropriate treatment. For instance anemia should be due to abnormal destruction of red blood cells due to antibodies directed against the red blood cells. the phenomenon is occasionally seen in diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Low white blood cells counts including low platelet counts should additionally be seen in SLE. Many types of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, etc., are associated with a particular anemia called the “anemia of chronic disease.” the type of anemia does not respond to iron. Red blood cells are normal size including normal color. The anemia is due to inflammation which “locks” the iron inside the bone marrow including prevents it from being used to make new red blood cells. The treatment for the anemia is better control pertaining to the arthritis. Contrast that with the anemia from iron deficiency. the should be seen in patients treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) who develop gastrointestinal bleeding. The anemia is caused by loss of blood including could respond to iron therapy. Red blood cells are small including pale. Therapy with drugs such as methotrexate should lead to a deficiency of folate. the folate deficiency additionally causes a particular anemia. The anemia in the case is associated with large red blood cells. It is a sign that the patient needs to be treated with folic acid. Azathioprine is another drug used for arthritis that causes a particular anemia with large red blood cells. Anemia should be investigated to determine whether the anemia is due to drug toxicity, complications pertaining to the arthritis, or some other cause. For example, a patient with large red blood cells may have a vitamin B12 deficiency accounting for their anemia. Patients with anemia may complain of being fatigued or of feeling weak. Patients with low platelet counts may be a particular increased risk for developing severe bleeding. Patients with low white blood cell counts may be at increased risk for infections. The presence of anemia or other blood abnormality could be a particular important determinant pertaining to the course of action needed to treat the patient including their arthritis. Patient receiving arthritis medicines are at increased risk for developing different side effects. As a result they need to be monitored carefully.
|