Hematology and blood science explained: full blood count, coagulation, anaemia, red and white cell indices, and related blood tests.
Start with the test that underpins most blood work, then explore the rest of hematology.
Start Here →The direct vs indirect Coombs test comparison is mainly about where red-cell antibodies are being detected. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) checks whether immunoglobulin and/or complement is already attached to a patient’s red blood cells inside the body. The indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) looks for clinically relevant antibodies that are free in serum or plasma … Read more
Lupus anticoagulant testing is a clotting-based laboratory investigation, not a test that diagnoses lupus. The name is confusing: lupus anticoagulants are antiphospholipid antibodies that can interfere with phospholipid-dependent clotting tests in the laboratory and are associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in the appropriate clinical setting. Testing may be considered after unexplained thrombosis, recurrent pregnancy loss … Read more
The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is calculated by dividing the absolute neutrophil count by the absolute lymphocyte count from a full blood count with differential. It is not usually a separate blood test. NLR is studied as a marker of systemic inflammation and physiological stress because neutrophils and lymphocytes can change in different directions during … Read more
MCV vs MCH compares two red blood cell indices reported as part of a full blood count. MCV, or mean cell volume, measures the average size of red blood cells. MCH, or mean cell haemoglobin, estimates the average amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell. They are related but not interchangeable. Clinicians interpret them … Read more
A fibrinogen blood test measures fibrinogen, also called coagulation factor I, in a blood sample. Fibrinogen is made mainly by the liver and is converted into fibrin during clot formation. The test can be used when clinicians investigate unexplained bleeding, abnormal clotting tests, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), major haemorrhage or selected pregnancy-related problems. High or … Read more
Neutrophils vs Monocytes Neutrophils vs Monocytes: What’s the Difference and What Do Your Levels Mean? Neutrophils vs monocytes are two types of white blood cell with overlapping roles in innate immune defence but different behaviour. Neutrophils are rapid, short-lived responders that are especially important in early responses to many infections and tissue injury. Monocytes circulate … Read more
Haemoglobin vs Haematocrit Haemoglobin vs Haematocrit: What’s the Difference and What Do Your Results Mean? Haemoglobin vs haematocrit compares two closely related measurements in a full blood count, but they are not the same result. Haemoglobin (Hb) measures the concentration of the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin in blood, usually reported in grams per litre (g/L). Haematocrit … Read more
Basophils vs Eosinophils Basophils vs Eosinophils: What’s the Difference and What Do High Levels Mean? Basophils vs eosinophils compares two relatively uncommon granulocyte types found in the white-cell differential. Both contain cytoplasmic granules and can participate in inflammatory and allergic responses, but their biology and the conditions associated with raised counts differ. Eosinophils are particularly … Read more
Neutrophils vs Lymphocytes: What’s the Difference and What Do Your Levels Mean? Neutrophils vs lymphocytes is a comparison between two major types of white blood cell measured as part of a full blood count differential. Neutrophils are rapid-response cells of the innate immune system, while lymphocytes include B cells, T cells and natural killer cells … Read more
Serum and plasma are both liquid parts of blood used for laboratory testing, but they are not the same specimen. The key difference is what happens before centrifugation: plasma comes from blood that has been prevented from clotting, while serum is collected after the blood has been allowed to clot. That distinction changes which proteins … Read more