| 1 |
HAEMOGLOBIN
(Hb) |
Fasting
state not required; reflects the oxygen
carrying capacity of blood. Normal range
varies from lab to lab and differs between
men and women. |
Mild
to moderate anaemia (low Hb) is frequently
seen in many forms of active chronic inflammatory
rheumatic diseases such as RA. |
| 2 |
TLC
& DLC (Total and differential leucocyte
count) |
Total
white cell (leukocyte) counts are expressed
as cells per unit volume of blood. DLC is
to count individual type of white cells.
|
Increased
TLC indicates infection but may also be
seen in active inflammatory arthritis especially
in the children. Leucopoenia, a low white
cell count, is often found in Felty Syndrome
and SLE. Leucopoenia, sometimes due to drugs,
may also indicate bone marrow suppression.
|
| 3 |
PLATELET
COUNT |
It
is generally a part of routine hemogram
(Hb and differential cell count) . |
High
platelet count is often seen in many inflammatory
rheumatic diseases as marker of disease
activity. Platelet count must be monitored
during therapy with potent anti rheumatoid
drugs such as methotrexate. |
| 4 |
ERYTHROCYTE
SEDIMENTATION RATE (ESR) |
The
ESR is preferably done on a fasting sample.
A significantly high ESR irrespective of
food intake has a clinical value. Westergren
method is preferred in rheumatology. Normal
values differ between sexes. |
The
ESR is a non-specific marker of inflammatory
activity. Serial measurements of ESR may
indicate improvement or worsening, and are
useful to monitor drug response |
