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Blood is made up of liquids (called plasma) and solids consisting of red and white blood cells and platelets.
Last reviewed: February 2014
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If your doctor suspects that you have anaemia (too few red blood cells), polycythaemia (too many red blood cells), or dehydration
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Anaemia describes a condition where there is a low red blood cell count or low haemoglobin level.
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In Australia about 2,300 adults and 200 children are diagnosed each year with leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells (WBCs). While exposure to radiation, benzene, and some anticancer drugs have been shown to increase the risk of developing leukaemia, and a few cases are associated with genetic disorders or rare viral infections, the cause of most leukaemias is not known.
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To determine general health status and to screen for a variety of disorders, such as anaemia and infection, as well as nutritional status and exposure to toxic substances
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Anaemia is a condition that occurs when the number of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or the amount of haemoglobin found in the red blood cells drops below normal. Red blood cells and the haemoglobin contained within them are necessary for the transport and delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Without a sufficient supply of oxygen, many tissues and organs throughout the body can be adversely affected. Anaemia can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the extent to which the RBC count and/or haemoglobin levels are decreased. It is a fairly common condition, affecting both men and women of all ages, races and ethnic groups. However, certain people are at an increased risk of developing anaemia. These include people with diets poor in iron and vitamins, chronic diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, a family history of inherited anaemia, chronic infections such as tuberculosis or HIV, and those who have had significant blood loss from injury or surgery.
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If you have anaemia (too few red blood cells) or polycythaemia (too many red blood cells), to assess its severity, and to monitor response to treatment
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To screen and monitor diseases or conditions that result in destruction of red blood cells such as haemolytic anaemia, transfusion reactions and haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
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MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW These are measurements or calculations related to red blood cells (RBCs) and are components of the full blood count (FBC), a commonly requested test used for a variety of purposes.
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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) is a rare type of cancer of the white blood cells. Learn more about causes, diagnosis and treatments with CanTeen.
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Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) develops when damaged myeloid white blood cells grow out of control. Learn more about causes and treatments with CanTeen.
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The effect of long-term red blood cell transfusions on chronic chest complications of sickle cell disease
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Researchers in The Cochrane Collaboration conducted a review of the effect of epoetin and darbepoetin for people with cancer. After searching for all relevant studies, they found 91 studies with up to 20,102 people. Their findings are summarized below:
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
The role of iron in the management of chemotherapy-induced anemia in cancer patients receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents
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Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Pregnant women may develop antibodies in response to antigens on fetal red blood cells. The antibodies that result can cross the placenta to the fetus and break down red blood cells, leading to fetal anaemia. This has become less common with the routine use of anti D immunoglobulin in pregnant women with a Rhesus D-negative blood group and no pre-existing anti-D antibodies, but remains a cause of fetal death. Currently, standard management involves monitoring antibody titres in conjunction with ultrasound assessment of fetal well-being, and the use of intrauterine transfusion when fetal anaemia is diagnosed. Unfortunately, intrauterine transfusion poses significant risks because of its inherent invasiveness and procedure-related risks, including a risk of perinatal death.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Most people who break their hip (hip fracture) are over 65 years old. Almost all hip fractures require surgery. People with hip fracture often receive red blood cell transfusions that aim to correct their anaemia (low levels of haemoglobin in the blood; haemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying molecule found within red blood cells) resulting from blood loss from their fracture or surgery. However, blood transfusion is not without risk. We aimed to look at the evidence for the use of red blood cell transfusion in people undergoing surgery for a broken hip. We wanted to find out whether and when blood transfusion is of benefit and whether there are better alternatives to transfusion for these people.
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Bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract is common, affecting up to 1 in 1000 adults per year. It leads to death in 10% to 30% of cases, depending on whether patients are admitted with bleeding or bleed whilst in hospital with something else. Patients present with vomiting of fresh or partially digested blood, or with the passage of digested blood from the bowel (melaena). They may also present with symptoms associated with low blood pressure (which can occur secondary to rapid haemorrhage), or with symptoms of anaemia. Red blood cells may be transfused to patients to improve the blood pressure, haemoglobin concentration, or both, before the cause of the bleeding is identified and treated, usually with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients may also receive a transfusion after endoscopy to correct the haemoglobin concentration once the haemorrhage has been controlled. It is possible that blood transfusion (which has some serious potential adverse effects) may not always improve the patients' condition and may even make the bleeding worse.
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Early versus late erythropoietin for preventing red blood cell transfusion in preterm and/or low birth weight infants
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
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