The color indicator of blood is an important characteristic that is used during the study of blood cells, red blood cells and other components. It is he who indicates the qualitative composition of the red liquid. Thanks to special tests in laboratory conditions, it is possible to determine the color index (CIC), calculate its norm and possible deviations. A special formula is used to measure the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the serum. This information is intended for further diagnosis of various diseases. What is the color indicator of blood and how it is calculated, we will consider below.
CPC is determined during a laboratory test of the patient’s general blood test. The value is calculated using the following formula:
Colored Blood Index = (3 × Hb/A)/100%
Where, Hb denotes the amount of hemoglobin, A – the number of red blood cells in 1 μl.
((3 x 135) / 4.28) / 100 = 0.95
The normal blood color index for an adult ranges from 0.85 to 1.05 units. The example shows that the CPC value of the subject is within acceptable limits. This means that the patient does not have a disease such as anemia. To identify other diseases, it is important to consider the size of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin in each blood cell. If the color indicator is normal, but at the same time the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin fluctuates, then calculations make it possible to assume that a person has some pathology.
In newborn infants, the norm of the color index differs from that of adults and is characterized by a large range. From birth to the 1st month of life, the color index of blood in children normally reaches 1.2. This is due to the fact that newborns still have cells with fetal hemoglobin in their circulatory system. Already from one year to 5 years, the CPU decreases to the level of 0.8. In the blood of a child from 5 to 10 years old, a value is established that normally corresponds to an adult.
If the color index is determined to be within normal limits, then this condition is called normochromia.
Exceeding the norm of hemoglobin
An important component of blood is hemoglobin. Its notation plays a key role in CPU calculations. It is he who gives it its red color and carries out protein transport. Hemoglobin helps oxygenate the blood from the lungs. When a person's bone marrow stops producing enough red blood cells, a disease called anemia (anemia) develops. This pathology can be identified only by conducting a clinical blood test, the color indicator of which will differ significantly from the permissible norm.
All over the world, scientists are studying the causes that provoke various pathologies of the circulatory system. Medical research shows that more than a quarter of the world's population suffers from anemia. World statistics show that anemia is fatal in about 200,000 cases. This blood pathology most often occurs in women, especially during pregnancy. Children and older people also suffer from anemia.
Anemia occurs due to oxygen starvation of cells. Without oxygen, their basic functions are disrupted, which leads to their mass death. The lack of oxygen negatively affects all organs and tissues in the human body. An analysis in such a situation will show a low color index of the blood.
In some cases, an anomaly occurs when the amount of hemoglobin increases sharply in the blood serum, despite the fact that the number of red cells themselves is small. In such cases, the indicator in the blood test exceeds 1.1 units. Hyperchromic anemia occurs. The following disorders may be the causes of this disorder:
- Lack of vitamin B12;
- Development of a malignant tumor;
- Autoimmune diseases.
Hyperchromic anemia is often characterized by symptoms such as:
- Paleness of the skin, especially lips and eyelids;
- Chronic fatigue;
- Dizziness, migraine;
- Brittle nails and hair;
- Tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia;
- Chest pain;
- Cold extremities.
If the disease is at the very beginning of its development, it can be practically asymptomatic. The only warning sign may be a temporary loss of appetite. Only calculating the color blood index in this situation can confirm the onset of the disorder leading to anemia.
Decreased hemoglobin levels in the blood
If the blood color index during a general analysis is revealed to be less than 0.8 units, this indicates that the level of red cells is reduced. There is a deficiency of such a microelement in the blood as iron. It is this that takes an active part in the formation of new red blood cells. The level of hemoglobin sharply decreases, and pathologically altered and defective cells are detected. In this case, microcytic anemia is diagnosed, which is confirmed by the calculation of CP.
Among the most common causes of blood diseases associated with iron deficiency, doctors name the following:
- Lack of iron in the body;
- Pregnancy period;
- Too painful and heavy menstruation;
- Internal bleeding.
The blood color index is low in a child who suffers from renal failure. This disease is often the cause of anemia in children. In such a situation, an additional analysis of the child’s urine and an ultrasound examination of the kidneys are performed.
If the degree of anemia is mild and the disease is at an early stage of development, then most often it can be accompanied simply by increased fatigue and a mild headache. But when the pathology reaches a more severe stage, the patient experiences the following dangerous symptoms:
- Breathing becomes difficult and rapid;
- Heart beats strongly;
- The face and skin of the hands become noticeably pale;
- The child may experience frequent relapses of conjunctivitis.
Anemia caused by a lack of iron in the blood is treated by replenishing the deficiency of this trace element. Medicines containing iron are easily absorbed by the body, so they are prescribed at the first signs of anemia. After the course of treatment is completed, it is important to calculate the color index of the blood again. This will provide an opportunity to see how effective the treatment was.
A mild form of the disease involves adjusting the patient’s lifestyle and following a special diet rich in vitamins and microelements. All this helps restore the required level of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the blood. Restored internal balance restores health and fills you with energy. The adjustments will gradually increase the color index, the calculation in the blood test will confirm this.
If the disease becomes too severe, the patient can only be helped by a blood transfusion procedure performed in a special hospital setting.
A study of the clinical manifestations of anemia shows that most often it is women who lose iron in the blood. Men suffer from low hemoglobin levels much less frequently.
To avoid the risk of any type of anemia, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity, which is dosed and regular, as well as a balanced diet will keep the hematopoietic function in the body under control. In any case, it is important to conduct a medical examination at least 2 times a year, donate blood for analysis even if minor signs of illness appear. Calculating the color index of the blood will help to detect the onset of the disease in time and take the necessary measures to eliminate the disease.
CP characterizes the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin
The color index (CI) characterizes the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin. Used in the differential diagnosis of various types of anemia. According to WHO, 24.8% of the world's population is affected by anemia worldwide. Timely identification of anemia and its causes allows you to effectively combat this pathology.
Red blood cells are the main elements of the circulatory system; they deliver oxygen bound by hemoglobin to all tissues of the body. When the number of red blood cells or the concentration of hemoglobin in them decreases, the functioning of the immune system is disrupted, and negative processes begin to occur that affect all organs. The body, as compensation, increases the number of contractions of the heart muscle for faster blood circulation, which contributes to an increased risk of pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
The level of CP reflects the ratio of hemoglobin and red blood cells. The indicator can be calculated using the formula: 3 * Hb/RBC.
Triple the number of hemoglobin in g/l must be divided by the number of red blood cells, taking into account the first 3 digits of the RBC indicator. When the RBC result is given as two digits, i.e. a whole number and a tenth after the decimal point, 0 is added to the tenth and the decimal point is removed to make 3 digits. If RBC = 5.2 cells/l, this figure will look like 520 to calculate CPU.
For example, a patient's hemoglobin level is 140 hL/L, and the number of red blood cells is 4.7 hL/L. We calculate the CPU: 3 * 140/470 = 0.89
CPU standards
The CPU level is determined by an automatic analyzer
Standard CPU values = 0.86 - 1.05.
The CP parameter is proportional to the MCH value (average hemoglobin content in a red blood cell). The MCH is measured by an automatic analyzer, whereas the CP is calculated by a manual analysis. The MCH result is presented in picograms, the norm of this indicator is 27 - 33 pg, while the value of 33 pg was defined as a conventional unit reflecting the optimal hemoglobin content in the erythrocyte. This conventional unit is the CPU, that is, ideally, the result of the analysis should be equal to 1. Deviations below the optimal value should not fall below 0.86 and rise above 1.05. However, normal values may vary slightly depending on the laboratory, so standard values should be viewed on the analysis form.
How does CP level affect red blood cell size?
CP level correlates with red blood cell size
The size of functional red blood cells is 7 - 8 microns. Such formed elements are called normocytes, that is, normal red blood cells. If the diameter is less than 6.9 microns - these are microcytes, from 8 to 12 microns - macrocytes. Such cells are not able to perform their tasks at the proper level, which provokes a lack of oxygen in the tissues. Deviations in the level of CP are most often accompanied by changes in the size of red blood cells.
Based on the CP indicator, there are 3 types of anemia:
- Hypochromic (CP< 0,86). Включают анемии, которые сопровождаются уменьшением размера эритроцита. При этом показатель МСНС (средняя концентрация гемоглобина в эритроците) находится в норме, а МСН снижается за счёт того, что в кровяном русле циркулируют преимущественно микроциты.
- Normochromic. They are characterized by normal values of both MSHC, MCH, and other erythrocyte indices. The diameter of the cells does not change, nor does the content and concentration of hemoglobin. This group includes anemia, accompanied by a decrease in the number of red blood cells.
- Hyperchromic (CP > 1.05). They are distinguished by the presence of macrocytes, which contain much more hemoglobin molecules, which reflects an increased CP rate. Despite the apparent positive effect, this phenomenon also leads to anemia. Large red blood cells are abnormal cells with impaired functionality; they quickly die, causing oxygen deficiency in the body.
Reasons for the reduced rate
Anemia is the cause of decreased CPU levels
A reduced CP value indicates the presence of hypochromic anemia. This is the general name for pathologies that include:
- iron deficiency anemia;
- anemia associated with impaired synthesis of porphin derivatives;
- anemia accompanying chronic diseases with impaired iron metabolism;
- Cooley's anemia;
- vitamin B6 deficiency;
- lead poisoning.
Reasons for increased CPU
B12 anemia is characterized by hyperchromic red blood cells
An increase in the indicator indicates hyperchromic anemia, which includes:
- vitamin B12 deficiency anemia,
- folate deficiency anemia,
- autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
What analysis allows you to determine the CPU level
CP is calculated based on data obtained by manually counting red blood cells and hemoglobin. The hemoglobin content is determined using a Sali hemometer, in which the blood sample being tested is mixed with hydrochloric acid and adjusted to the normal color value. The amount of hemoglobin is determined using a special graduated scale.
The number of red blood cells is determined by counting cells in a Goryaev chamber, which is a glass slide with slits and a microscopic mesh. The diluted blood sample is placed into the capillary spaces to fill the chamber, the red blood cells in 5 large and 16 small squares are counted, then the number of cells in 1 μl of blood is obtained using the formula.
The obtained data is used to calculate the CPU using the formula given above.
CPU Level Correction
Correcting the CPU level involves eliminating the cause
To normalize the CPU level, it is necessary to establish the cause of the deviation. Anemia, which affects the decrease and increase in the value of CP, is not an independent disease, but a consequence of some pathology. Thus, the cause of iron deficiency anemia can be chronic internal bleeding, impaired iron absorption, diseases of the small intestine, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, increased need for iron in pregnant women, poor nutrition, etc. Therefore, treatment will be based not only on taking iron-containing drugs, but also on eliminating the factors that caused iron deficiency.
The same applies to other types of anemia. All of them are a reflection of other diseases that require correction. When the disease that led to anemia is cured, the CP will return to normal.
Not everyone knows what a blood color index is, why it is needed, or how it affects a person’s condition. Blood is red because red blood cells contain hemoglobin. The cells contain the amount of iron that is necessary to transport oxygen to all parts of the body.
If the hemoglobin level is less or more than normal, then the color of the blood and its quality also change. This indicates pathological processes occurring in the body.
Properties and role of hemoglobin
The complex protein hemoglobin has different functions:
- Ferrous ions within the protein are responsible for binding oxygen in the lungs.
- Hemoglobin delivers vital oxygen to tissues, taking carbon dioxide from there.
- The resulting carbohemoglobin is transported by blood cells to the lungs.
- To maintain the acid-base balance in the body at a level of 7.4, you cannot do without red pigment.
- Along with regulating blood viscosity, protein helps tissues not become dehydrated, thereby reducing oncotic pressure.
- Among the harmful features of hemoglobin is that it easily binds to carbon monoxide. Therefore, even a small concentration of a deadly substance will lead to the death of the body.
- When the red pigment enters the plasma, it leads to oxygen starvation, called hypoxia, and the body is poisoned by waste products.
The color blood index (CB) indicates the degree of saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin. Depending on the amount of red pigment, the color saturation of the blood also changes.
Red blood cells can be filled to capacity with protein or travel light. Both conditions are dangerous.
About the CPU formula and its norm
CP is a value indicating the amount of hemoglobin in one blood cell, an erythrocyte. It is calculated through a general blood test. The equation is made based on the number of red blood cells.
For calculations, digital values of hemoglobin levels are used. The calculations are based on how the hemoglobin indicator relates to the first three numbers of the red blood cell level.
Hemoglobin data is multiplied by three and divided by the quantitative value of red blood cells. The result obtained is rounded to two decimal places. The designation in the blood test is in picograms.
Normally, the indicator reaches a value from 0.85 to 1.05. Experts understand what it is. This means that one red blood cell is filled with 27 or 33.4 picograms of protein. A value of 33 pg in a blood test is considered significant.
For a child under 12 years of age, the norm is slightly different:
- 0.75-0.96 - from birth to three years;
- 0.8-1.0 - from four years old.
Accordingly, deviations from the normal indicator are interpreted differently.
Reasons for the increase
When there are changes in the blood towards increasing viscosity, the calculation of the color index shows that the red cells are full of hemoglobin, but their number is decreasing.
The reasons for increased hemoglobin lie in the development of:
- malignant tumors whose cells require oxygen;
- heart defects;
- bronchial asthma and heart failure;
- poisoning with toxins;
- liver diseases;
- intestinal obstruction;
- infections.
In this case, the specialist identifies the amount of glycohemoglobin, which indicates an increase in glucose levels. The patient is developing complications of diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and nephropathy.
An increase in the number of abnormally swollen red blood cells, or macrocytosis, can be considered the result of both malignancy and a lack of vitamins B9 and B12 in the body.
Among the symptoms of hyperchromic anemia, when CP is elevated, the following are noted:
- pale and cold skin;
- constant feeling of fatigue, physical weakness;
- increased heart rate;
- complication of the swallowing process;
- headache;
- sleep disorders.
The formula for hyperchromic anemia gives a result above 1.05 units.
Cause and symptoms of hypochromic anemia
Iron deficiency causes hypochromic anemia. The hemoglobin level is reduced with an acceptable number of red blood cells. In women, this type of anemia is more common, as it occurs due to blood loss during heavy menstruation, after childbirth.
Pregnancy is also a provoking factor in the development of anemia. Elderly people and children suffer from iron deficiency anemia.
In men, hypochromia is observed less frequently, and its presence is associated with internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. A low rate may be caused by lead poisoning.
A mild degree of anemia is manifested by a feeling of fatigue and lack of vitality. The tissue cells of vital organs do not receive enough oxygen and begin to “suffocate.”
The severe stage of the blood disease is expressed by the following manifestations:
- rapid heartbeat;
- difficulty breathing;
- pale skin;
- dizziness;
- brittle nails, dull hair;
- cracks on the lips;
- yellowing of the sclera of the eyes.
If hypochromic anemia progresses, the clinical picture becomes more severe.
What is normochromic anemia
A normal blood color does not always indicate the patient’s health. There is a type of anemia called normochromic. With it, one red blood cell contains, as expected, 33.4 pg of hemoglobin, but the number of blood cells is not enough for the normal functioning of the body.
This type of anemia, or aplastic anemia, occurs due to disturbances in the functioning of the bone marrow, which produces red blood cells.
The disease is dangerous due to its complications and is caused by viral infections such as HIV, hepatitis. Its appearance is associated with genetic abnormalities and the toxic effect of strong drugs on the body.
The resulting failure of the immune system leads to the destruction of bone marrow cells.
Another reason is the development of hemolytic anemia, when red blood cells are constantly destroyed, and new cells do not have time to form. The disease has hereditary and acquired forms and is extremely rare.
Reasons for increased or decreased CP in a child
If the norm of the color index is too high or too low in a child, then such forms of anemia are identified as:
- hypochromic, when the analysis gives a result of up to 0.86;
- hyperchromic with an indicator above the level of 1.14;
- normochromic, when determining the blood color indicator gives a satisfactory result.
The causes of anemia are the same as in adults. An increased rate also occurs when a child develops kidney failure. And with iron deficiency, attention is paid to changes in liver cells, leading to cirrhosis.
A child can also get hereditary forms of blood diseases. He inherits one of them (thalassemia) due to a mutation in the DNA of the cells that make up hemoglobin. The development of the disease in the fetus can be determined at the mother's stage of pregnancy by taking a sample of amniotic fluid.
Acquired types of anemia in children can be successfully treated with medicine.
How to bring the indicator back to normal
Treatment for anemia depends on the severity and type of disease.
You can lower the color index of your blood in different ways:
- Deficiency of vitamins B12 and B9 in the body is compensated by prescribing folic acid supplements.
- Including dishes made from beef and pork liver, kidneys, and animal hearts in the menu will help replenish vitamin reserves in the body.
- Among herbal remedies, decoctions of black currant leaves, strawberries, and rose hips will help lower the level of CPU.
- Melon fruits contain a large amount of folic acid. The product is useful for those who suffer from liver disease and atherosclerosis.
- Wine is made from ripe elderberries. For a kilogram of berries, take 100 grams of sugar, add ten grams of vanilla sugar, five grams of cinnamon, a pinch of lemon zest, turmeric, and coriander. Drink this before meals, 30-50 grams.
- It is useful for patients with hyperchromia to drink freshly squeezed pomegranate, apple, beet, and carrot juices, mixing them with 100 grams of honey. For each dose, drink up to 50 ml of the drink.
Medications are prescribed taking into account the reason for exceeding the normal blood color index.
If there is a deficiency of hemoglobin in blood cells, treatment is aimed at:
- elimination of diseases accompanied by chronic bleeding;
- increase in the number of iron ions;
- improving the absorption of iron supplements in the intestine;
- prevention of complications of anemia.
Along with preparations containing iron, ascorbic acid is prescribed.
Monitoring the intake of iron-containing products by specialists is mandatory, since excessive saturation with ions of the substance is dangerous to human health.
You can increase your CPU level with a balanced diet. The diet limits the consumption of fats of plant and animal origin, foods with large amounts of protein.
The emphasis in nutrition is on liver and offal, red fish, buckwheat and millet porridge. A lot of iron is found in greens, eggs, beef, and walnut kernels. Children with anemia should eat more apples, persimmons, citrus fruits, cherries, and strawberries.
Products that help the body absorb iron include those rich in vitamin C. These include tea or tincture of sorrel, dandelion, and burdock.
The quality of blood, determined by color, is important for the health of both adults and children. It is always necessary to keep it under control to prevent the development of serious pathologies.
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Calculation of the color index (or color, which is a synonym) is considered an old but important method for studying peripheral blood.
The color indicator carries information about the degree of saturation of red blood cells () with pigment containing and carrying oxygen -. It is calculated by a formula if the general analysis is performed manually or is replaced by a similar red blood cell index (MCH), which is calculated by an automatic analytical system (hematology analyzer).
Color or color indicator - norm and deviations
The color indicator is a characteristic that signals significant changes in the ratio of the main components of red blood (red blood cells and hemoglobin).
The norm of the color index for both adults and children, excluding children under 3 years of age, according to various sources, ranges from 0.8 to 1.1, although some authors argue that 0.8 is already low, and 1.1 already exceeds the permissible limits borders.
The norm for CP in a child under 3 years of age is slightly lower and is 0.75 – 0.96.
The color indicator is determined within the framework, carried out without the participation of an analytical system. With an automatic hematology analyzer, calculating CP becomes impractical; it is gradually becoming a thing of the past, being replaced by red blood cell indices.
The most common situation is when the CP is low (hypochromia), which gives reason to suspect the development(IDA, anemia accompanying neoplastic processes or chronic diseases of internal organs). It happens that a person does not feel the reduced values of the indicator, he is in no hurry to take a blood test, and therefore remains in the dark. However, the patient often notes complaints of drowsiness, decreased performance (symptoms of anemia) and for this reason consults a doctor or immediately goes to the laboratory. Then one decimal fraction tells you what diagnosis will soon be made.
Calculation in two steps
The color index is calculated using the formula: CP = hemoglobin x 3: number of red blood cells.
For example, with a red blood cell count of 4.2 x 10 12 / l and a hemoglobin level of 128 g / l, the color index will be 0.9 (128 x 3 and divided by 420), which corresponds to the norm (normochromia). Meanwhile, it should be noted that Normochromia does not always mean normal. A proportionally reduced number of red blood cells and hemoglobin will also have a similar designation - normochromia, but in this case we will talk about normochromic anemia. In addition, there are other situations:
- There may be a lot of red blood cells or their number is at the upper limit of normal, for example, 4.7 x 10 12 / l with hemoglobin 120 g / l. When calculating the color index (120 x 3: 470 = 0.76), it is discovered that it does not fit into normal values, that is, red blood cells circulate “empty”, there are many of them, but they do not contain sufficient hemoglobin (hypochromia). This phenomenon indicates the development of anemia, the type and cause of which should be clarified by further hematological studies.
- The content of red blood cells in the blood is normal (for example, for women 4.0 x 10 12 / l) or near the lower limit of normal, and hemoglobin is high (160 g / l), and after calculating the CP it turns out that it exceeds 1.0 (160 x 3: 400 = 1.2). This means that the red blood cells are excessively saturated with hemoglobin and in such a case they speak of hyperchromia - the blood of such people is thick and “heavy”.
Thus, a reduced or low color index, first of all, indicates the presence of anemia, and a high value indicates it, the cause of which also remains to be determined.
Lower values suggest serious examination
The criterion for the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin is the average content of blood pigment (Hb) in one red blood cell, which is calculated by the formula: HHE = hemoglobin: the number of red blood cells in one liter of blood. The indicator is measured in picograms (pg) and normally ranges from 27 to 31 pg. An automatic analyzer measures the average hemoglobin content in an erythrocyte (MHC) in the same units, calculating it using the formula: MHC = ten times the hemoglobin level divided by the number of red blood cells per microliter (10 6). By measuring the average hemoglobin content in the erythrocyte, as in the case of cirrhosis, anemia is divided into hypochromic, normochromic and hyperchromic.
Of course, each of these indices separately cannot represent the only reliable indicator of pathology, therefore, if they decrease, the cause of the disorders should be sought. Most often it is iron deficiency anemia, then there is a need to find a problem with the absorption or synthesis of iron, and this is a lot of all kinds of examinations, including not only blood tests, but also not always pleasant procedures, such as fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS).
This is what a fractional number that is not included in the normal values of the color index means.
Video: Dr. Komarovsky about low hemoglobin
The blood color index is one of the main indicators of a blood test. Deviation from the norm indicates pathological processes occurring in the body.
More information about blood color index
The color index (CI) of blood contains data on the level of saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin, a necessary component whose function is to transport oxygen and contains iron. The blood color index is calculated using a formula, if the calculation is done manually. Data can be obtained using a hematology analyzer, which calculates the red blood cell index. It is impossible to conduct research on your own.
It should be noted that CP is a non-specific way of estimating the percentage of hemoglobin in a red blood cell, but it is now being successfully replaced by automatic calculations from a blood analyzer - namely, the average hemoglobin content in a red blood cell. Therefore, like the thymol test, this type of analysis is a thing of the past, and its presence indicates a laboratory that is not equipped with modern analyzers. It is often still used in regional and rural hospitals.
However, several types of anemia have historically developed - normochromic, hyperchromic and hypochromic, and these conditions are still defined this way, despite more advanced diagnostic methods.
Indicator norm
The numerical norm of the color index, indicating the amount of hemoglobin protein contained in a red blood cell, is the same for an adult and a child over three years of age and is determined by values in the range from 0.8 to 1.1. The indicator in the blood test for women is identical. In the blood of a child under three years of age, the CP norm should be in the range from 0.75 to 0.96.
However, it is worth considering that the result obtained during the calculation does not indicate the exact concentration of the protein contained, but the total one. There are precedents when the norm of CP is observed, but the true concentration of hemoglobin protein is below the normal value. In this case, low CP means the presence of normochromic anemia.
If there is a numerical result that is not within the acceptable range, the doctor prescribes additional studies and tests to determine the cause of the lack or excess of protein in the patient’s blood. Deviation from the norm always has a reason.
Reason for deviations
A numerical indicator that goes beyond the acceptable norm indicates changes occurring in the human body.
An indicator exceeding the permissible norm indicates the presence of diseases such as:
B-12 - deficiency anemia;
Gastric polyposis;
Neoplasms and tumors;
Low levels of folic acid.
If the hemoglobin content in the patient’s blood cells is high, it is not easy to establish the exact cause of the deviations due to the fact that the results of other tests, including a general blood test, do not meet the norms.
The phenomenon of reduced color index is called hypochromia. The color index is reduced in the presence of pathological conditions such as:
Iron-deficiency anemia;
Cirrhosis of the liver;
Malignant neoplasms;
Hypofunction of the thyroid gland, hypothyroidism;
Anemia caused by lead poisoning.
Reduced levels may occur in pregnant women suffering from anemia.
Blood CP is reduced in a child for the same reasons as in adults. Often a low blood color index indicates overwork of the body.
There is a classification of anemias that differ from each other in the concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. There are three types in total:
Hypochromic anemia is diagnosed by a specialist when the numerical value is less than 0.8;
normochromic anemia is diagnosed by a doctor when the color indicator of the blood is within the acceptable range, but the amount of hemoglobin contained is insufficient;
hyperchromic anemia is a diagnosis that a specialist establishes when there is an increased protein content in human red blood cells.
What to do if the color index is low
If your blood color index is low, you need to pay attention to your diet and the foods you consume. It is necessary to make each meal balanced and exclude junk food from your diet. A balanced fractional diet can normalize the level of hemoglobin in red blood cells.
It is worth considering that with a low level of complex iron-containing protein, there is a deficiency of oxygen in the blood cells, which leads to serious health problems and a deterioration in the patient’s general condition. It is necessary to increase the intake of vitamins B, C, E. An important component of a balanced diet is food rich in vitamin A. It is advisable to exclude fried foods containing a lot of fats and carbohydrates and flour products from the diet.
When blood CP is low, the specialist recommends regular consumption of red juices, for example, pomegranate, and a small amount of red wine. You should not abuse alcohol. It is important to consider that juices must be natural and contain a minimum of dyes and preservatives. During treatment, you must give up coffee and get rid of bad habits.
Deviation from the norm of CP is most often treated not with medications, but involves changing the patient’s lifestyle, getting rid of bad habits and adjusting diet. Your doctor may recommend regular exercise to help keep your heart functioning normally.
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