Blood from a finger is paid. Interpretation of finger blood test indicators. What is detailed analysis

Even 10 years ago, a doctor’s order to donate blood was always followed by a counter question: from a vein or from a finger. Then everyone somehow had no time for it... and suddenly it turns out that the doctor is terribly surprised by such a strange question: where to get the blood from? Like where is it from? From Vienna, of course! Not from the artery! But blood from a finger remained in the last century. Why?

Blood from a finger, translated into slightly less common language - blood from a capillary. Capillaries are small vessels that run throughout the body, delivering blood everywhere. Various sources count from 100 to 160 billion capillaries in the human body, and if you stretch them in one line, you could wrap the earth two and a half times: the total length of these small vessels will be about 100 thousand kilometers.

As a result, they are oh-so thin. The thickness of one capillary is 5 - 10 microns, and the thickness of red blood cells is 5 - 7 microns.

Therefore, in order to move from arteries to veins, red blood cells literally have to crawl through narrow capillaries. We perceive the effort required to push blood cells a little further through the vessels as a heartbeat.
Of course, red blood cells are very elastic, but still, squeezing through the vessels, they break - and then the laboratory receives cell fragments with blood from the finger, which greatly distorts the test results.

In an ideal vessel, red blood cells crawl neatly in a chain one after another...

... but since the ideal is very rare, it often turns out like this: red blood cells stick together and can no longer move through the vessels in single file.

Overall: the unstable composition of capillary blood gives very poor test reproducibility. This means that you can take 10 tests from 10 different fingers and get different results. You can compare blood from a capillary with water from a narrow dirty pipe in a single house: if you want to judge the entire water supply system, it is better to scoop it up from the river with a bucket.

It remains to add that fragments of red blood cells form blockages in those same pipes, so the blood contains clots that make analysis extremely difficult. Let's not forget about how much blood can be extracted from a capillary? A milliliter, at most - the resulting blood clot quickly seals the hole. Any volume of blood can be taken from a vein.

And finally, the blood from the puncture first gets onto the skin. And although the latter was wiped with an alcohol wipe, the blood is still no longer sterile. It is not nearly as sterile as when taking blood into a vein, when the blood goes through a needle directly into a closed tube and does not come into contact with air or infections at all.

There is only one drawback to analysis from a vein: many people really don’t like the feeling of “a cold needle in my vein,” in other words, taking blood from a vein is an invasive method. However, modern laser-sharpened needles make it possible to draw blood with almost no trauma. Which ends our short holivar almost “dry” in favor of venous blood. With rare exceptions, you don’t even have to ask the doctor how the test will be taken.

When visiting a doctor in case of illness or for a preventive examination, a number of laboratory tests are prescribed, among which the most common is a finger prick blood test. Most often prescribed. The principles of this research are well known to everyone since childhood. Patients usually know for this examination. The examination should be carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. This procedure is very easy, the result is known the next day.

Purpose

Blood is taken from a finger in order to:

• determined during a general examination;
• express diagnostics of indicators (in this case, a special device is used - a glucometer);
• express test to detect the level of total cholesterol (subsequently, venous blood donation is required to detail the results).

Preparation

• To obtain a more accurate result, a general blood test is taken from a finger prick in the morning (before 10 o’clock).
• , you can eat your last meal 12 hours before blood sampling. On the day of the study, you are allowed to drink only clean water.
• For several days before the examination, it is recommended to exclude very fatty foods and alcohol from the diet.
• Also, a few days before the finger prick blood test, you should temporarily avoid heavy physical activity and try to worry less.
• Immediately before blood collection, smoking is not allowed.

Carrying out

There are two options for performing a general blood test:

• In the case of the first, laboratory assistants do an abbreviated analysis that displays only blood cells and determines the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, that is, ESR.
• The second option involves conducting a detailed blood test, which also covers indicators such as hematocrit, average hemoglobin content in an erythrocyte, quantitative and qualitative composition of leukocytes, and others.

When scheduling a clinical examination, the patient may have a question regarding what is used to prick the finger when blood is taken from it. Due to the increased risk of infection with blood-borne diseases, primarily hepatitis and AIDS, in modern laboratories over the past decades, only disposable instruments have been used to collect biological material, which are removed from the packaging, which is opened in front of the patient.

To directly pierce a finger, devices such as scarifiers, sterile needles, and lancets for piercing a finger are used. If you use the first two, the puncture is more painful.

Today, laboratory technicians are increasingly inclined to use modern automatic instruments in which the lancet is placed inside a plastic case.

The advantages of scarifiers are safety, smaller needle sizes (helps reduce pain), ease of use, automation of the process (thanks to the trigger device, accidental release of the blade is excluded), as well as the psychological factor (the patient, not seeing the needle, worries less).

Fence rules

• The equipment necessary for the procedure is prepared (sterile material, 70% ethyl alcohol solution or alcohol-containing antiseptics, disposable instruments, labeled slides and test tubes).
• Psychological preparation of the patient is carried out, during which the essence and methodology of the subsequent examination is explained to him and consent to conduct it is obtained.
• The patient is seated opposite the healthcare worker performing the blood draw and asked to place his hand on the table.
• The fingertip from which blood is taken is treated with an antiseptic and dried with a dry sterile cotton ball.
• Using a disposable instrument (scarifier, needle or lancet), a puncture is made to a depth of 2–3 mm.
• The first drop of blood is removed with a dry sterile cotton pad.
• To carry out the analysis, use the next ten drops of blood, which the laboratory assistant collects by gravity or draws into a special adapter. You should not squeeze your finger during the procedure, as this will lead to mixing of blood with tissue fluids, and the results may be unreliable. The blood is placed in a special labeled tube with a reagent.
• After the procedure, a sterile cotton ball moistened with an antiseptic is applied to the injection site and held for 5 to 7 minutes until the bleeding stops completely.

It should be noted that the principles of collecting blood from a finger are the same for adults and children over 1 year of age. There are some peculiarities in carrying out this procedure in newborns and children under 1 year of age.

They consist in choosing the puncture site (it is done on the lateral areas of the heel) and in choosing the instrument with which device to take blood from infants. When working with this group of patients, automatic sterile lancets are used to reduce the sensation of pain in the child during skin puncture and blood sampling from a finger.

A completely logical question may arise as to why, for clinical research, capillary blood is taken primarily from the ring finger of the left hand, since blood is the same everywhere in the body.

Indeed, laboratory technicians use blood from the ring, middle or index fingers for this analysis. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the human body. At the time of puncture there is always a risk of possible infection. In this case, the inner shells of fingers such as the thumb and little finger are directly connected to the inner shells of the hand.

If infected, the infection from these fingers will quickly spread to them, and then in a short time will spread to the entire hand. The membranes of those fingers that laboratory assistants select are isolated and, in case of infection, the infection will remain only in them for some time, which makes it possible to quickly suppress it. In addition, the advantage of the ring finger is that it is the most “non-working” one on the hand. As a result, the skin on its pad is thinner, which reduces the patient's pain to a minimum.

Also, since the ring finger moves less than others, the wound after a puncture heals faster on it, which also serves to prevent infection.

Decoding

The attending physician is in charge. Of course, with the easy access to general tables of normal indicators that exist today, you can try to interpret the data yourself. However, this should not be done, since the specialist who prescribed this examination evaluates not just the level of content of this or that parameter, but includes them in the overall clinical picture and compares them with other symptoms that the patient has:

• Hemoglobin, Hb - in women the normal value varies in the range of 120 - 140 g/l, in men - 130 - 160 g/l. An increase in hemoglobin levels may indicate dehydration of the body, various intestinal infectious diseases, and heart defects. A decrease indicates the development of anemia.
• , CPU – normal level is 0.85 – 1.15%. A decrease in the level of the color indicator of the blood indicates the development of anemia; an increase may accompany a violation of the synthesis of folic acid and oncological processes.
• Red blood cells - in women the norm is in the range of 3.7 - 4.7 g/l, in men - 4 - 5 g/l. can be observed both with minor disorders (diarrhea, burns, use of diuretics), and with the development of cancer and kidney pathologies. A low level indicates the development of anemia, blood loss, and the formation of edema.
• , ESR is a normal indicator in women - up to 20 mm/hour, in men - up to 15 mm/hour. Increased rates are observed in inflammatory and autoimmune pathological processes, cancer, disorders of the endocrine system, kidneys and liver. A decrease in indicators is characteristic of circulatory failure.
• Leukocytes - regardless of gender, the norm is 4 - 9 * 109 / liter. observed during infectious processes, a decrease accompanies the development of cancer and hepatitis.
• Platelets - responsible for, normally - 180 - 320 * 109 / liter. High platelet counts are observed in rheumatoid arthritis, various forms of tuberculosis, and oncology. A decrease in platelet levels accompanies autoimmune diseases and anemia.

A blood test is the most common diagnostic procedure. It is carried out at absolutely any age, as part of a comprehensive examination. An analysis in which blood is taken from a finger is called a general test. In order for the result to be most reliable, the main principles of preparation and implementation of the procedure should be observed.

Why is blood taken from a finger?

What does a general blood test show? As a result, the study determines the number of certain types of blood cells. This is necessary for diagnosing various diseases.

The main functions of general analysis include:

• Hemoglobin level measurement;
• Platelet count;
• Determination of blood clotting abnormalities;
• Determination of the number of monocytes and lymphocytes;
• Measurement of the number of neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils;

The results obtained help determine the development of diseases such as:

• Anemia;
• Bone marrow diseases;
• Infectious or inflammatory diseases;
• Development of an allergic reaction;
• Diabetes;
• Cardiovascular diseases;

How to prepare properly?

The analysis will show a reliable result only if you prepare for it correctly. Is blood donated on an empty stomach or not? Treatment rooms in government institutions are open strictly in the morning. You cannot have breakfast before taking blood. In private clinics you can donate blood at any time.

The main principles of preparing for blood collection are as follows:

• The day before, he recommends avoiding foods rich in fat;
• 1-2 days before donating blood, you should not drink alcohol;
• Immediately before visiting the treatment room, you should refrain from smoking;
• It is recommended to avoid stressful situations and physical activity the day before;

Types of blood sampling instruments

It is advisable to first find out how blood is taken for research. The degree of pain depends on the device for drawing blood. This function is performed by a scarifier for drawing blood. It is a thin steel plate with a pointed end. During the procedure, a puncture is made on the skin of the finger, through which blood flows out.

For children, a special device is provided that allows blood sampling to be done painlessly. It is called a lancet. The piercer is a special needle placed in a certain way, providing uniform pressure on the skin. Using the lancet is quite simple. The device works by contacting the skin or pressing a special button.

Drawing blood from infants also does not cause any difficulties.. For this purpose, you can use the Komarik kit for painless delivery. The set comes with 4 disposable needles. The mechanism of the device allows you to pierce with a needle without pain so that the child does not understand anything.

The advantages of a lancet over a scarifier are as follows:

• Quick to use;
• The possibility of hematomas at the puncture site is excluded;
• No pain;
• Can be used at home;
• The appearance of the device does not cause emotional stress, which helps to obtain reliable results;

Procedure implementation process

To obtain the most reliable results, the puncture technique must be followed. Blood donation is carried out in a specially equipped sterile room. It is important to pay attention to the instrument used to prick when drawing blood. It should be disinfected.

The following items are required:

• Alcohol or other antiseptic;
• Piercing needles or scarifier;
• Glass for taking a smear;
• Iodine tincture;
• Ether;

The procedure algorithm is as follows:

• The upper phalanx of the ring finger of the left hand is treated with an antiseptic;
• The tool is directed strictly from the side, at an angle;
• The next step is to pierce the finger. When a drop of blood appears on the surface of the skin, it is removed with a sterile swab;
• A second drop of blood is used for the study;
• The blood collection method involves making smears. For this purpose, sterile glass is used;

Which finger is best to take blood from?

Why is it common to take blood from the ring finger? The choice is due to the fact that this finger bears less physical stress. Injury to the damaged area of ​​skin is unlikely. You can also take blood from your middle or index finger. This is practiced if plasma donation is carried out on a regular basis.

Any damage to the skin can lead to the spread of infection. The anatomical location of the index, middle and ring fingers eliminates the possibility of infection spreading to the hand due to the presence of an internal septum. Infection from the little finger or thumb spreads faster.

What is the difference between venous blood sampling and capillary blood sampling?

Why do venous blood sampling if capillary blood donation is much easier? Venous blood analysis is more detailed. Even externally, there are significant differences between capillary and venous blood. The first is quite light, and the blood from the vein is dark. In laboratory conditions, it is much easier to work with a venous blood sample.

What is detailed analysis?

A comprehensive blood test is called a biochemical blood test. Blood taken from a vein is examined. It is prescribed when clinical analysis does not provide enough necessary information.

The advantages of this type of analysis are as follows:

• Accurate diagnosis of the disease;
• Possibility of determining the level of vitamins in the body;
• The ability to identify the disease at the initial stage, in the absence of characteristic symptoms;

Video: Biochemical blood test - interpretation, table and norm

Despite the fact that the general analysis shows less information, it also has its advantages.

These include the following:

• High speed of the procedure;
• Only pierce the skin surface. The depth of the wound does not exceed 3 mm;
• The fence rules are much easier to follow. This increases the reliability of the result;
• Capillary biomaterial is tested much faster than venous blood;
• In private clinics, the price for a general analysis is lower than the cost of a biochemical analysis;

Where to submit?

Doubts regarding your health sooner or later make you wonder how and where to take a general blood test. The answer to this question depends on the patient's requirements and capabilities.

There are three possible options:

• State clinic;
• Private clinic;
• Medical personnel visiting your home;

In the first case, the diagnostic procedure is carried out within the framework of health insurance. Analysis is absolutely free. The disadvantages of donating blood at a government institution include long queues and the procedure being carried out at a strictly fixed time. It takes more time to examine a blood sample, which cannot be said about private clinics.

You can take the test at a paid institution at any convenient time. Main condition– do not eat for more than 3 hours. It costs more to have a medical professional visit your home. The advantages of the service include the absence of the need to leave the walls of the house, which is especially important if the patient is seriously ill.

Analysis results

You can find out how much analysis is done immediately before donating blood. Typically the duration of the study is from 5 to 7 days. In private clinics, the result is ready within 3-5 days after the collection procedure.

If you get bad results, you should remember the following:

• The possibility of error should not be excluded;
• The reliability of the result depends on how correctly the medical worker takes the blood;
• Violation of the rules for preparing for analysis leads to an incorrect result;
• Before the procedure, do not rub your fingers. Ultimately, the result will include increased white blood cell counts;

The results are interpreted by the attending physician. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

As a result of the analysis, data on the following parameters are presented:

• Hemoglobin;
• Red blood cells;
• Reticulocytes;
• Platelets;
• Leukocytes;
• Monocytes;
• Lymphocytes;
• Granulocytes;
• Color index;

A person who has passed the general analysis has a question: what outcome should be feared.

The following situations indicate the presence of serious diseases:

• Fall in hemoglobin level;
• Increase in ESR;
• Increased white blood cell count;
• Reduction of red blood cells;

A blood test is the most common diagnostic procedure. It is carried out at absolutely any age, as part of a comprehensive examination. An analysis in which blood is taken from a finger is called a general test. In order for the result to be most reliable, the main principles of preparation and implementation of the procedure should be observed.

Why is blood taken from a finger?

What does a general blood test show? As a result, the study determines the number of certain types of blood cells. This is necessary for diagnosing various diseases.

The main functions of general analysis include:

• Hemoglobin level measurement;
• Platelet count;
• Determination of blood clotting abnormalities;
• Determination of the number of monocytes and lymphocytes;
• Measurement of the number of neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils;

The results obtained help determine the development of diseases such as:

• Anemia;
• Bone marrow diseases;
• Infectious or inflammatory diseases;
• Development of an allergic reaction;
• Diabetes;
• Cardiovascular diseases;

How to prepare properly?

The analysis will show a reliable result only if you prepare for it correctly. Is blood donated on an empty stomach or not? Treatment rooms in government institutions are open strictly in the morning. You cannot have breakfast before taking blood. In private clinics you can donate blood at any time.

The main principles of preparing for blood collection are as follows:

• The day before, he recommends avoiding foods rich in fat;
• 1-2 days before donating blood, you should not drink alcohol;
• Immediately before visiting the treatment room, you should refrain from smoking;
• It is recommended to avoid stressful situations and physical activity the day before;

Types of blood sampling instruments

It is advisable to first find out how blood is taken for research. The degree of pain depends on the device for drawing blood. This function is performed by a scarifier for drawing blood. It is a thin steel plate with a pointed end. During the procedure, a puncture is made on the skin of the finger, through which blood flows out.

For children, a special device is provided that allows blood sampling to be done painlessly. It is called a lancet. The piercer is a special needle placed in a certain way, providing uniform pressure on the skin. Using the lancet is quite simple. The device works by contacting the skin or pressing a special button.

Drawing blood from infants also does not cause any difficulties.. For this purpose, you can use the Komarik kit for painless delivery. The set comes with 4 disposable needles. The mechanism of the device allows you to pierce with a needle without pain so that the child does not understand anything.

The advantages of a lancet over a scarifier are as follows:

• Quick to use;
• The possibility of hematomas at the puncture site is excluded;
• No pain;
• Can be used at home;
• The appearance of the device does not cause emotional stress, which helps to obtain reliable results;

Procedure implementation process

To obtain the most reliable results, the puncture technique must be followed. Blood donation is carried out in a specially equipped sterile room. It is important to pay attention to the instrument used to prick when drawing blood. It should be disinfected.

The following items are required:

• Alcohol or other antiseptic;
• Piercing needles or scarifier;
• Glass for taking a smear;
• Iodine tincture;
• Ether;

The procedure algorithm is as follows:

• The upper phalanx of the ring finger of the left hand is treated with an antiseptic;
• The tool is directed strictly from the side, at an angle;
• The next step is to pierce the finger. When a drop of blood appears on the surface of the skin, it is removed with a sterile swab;
• A second drop of blood is used for the study;
• The blood collection method involves making smears. For this purpose, sterile glass is used;

Which finger is best to take blood from?

Why is it common to take blood from the ring finger? The choice is due to the fact that this finger bears less physical stress. Injury to the damaged area of ​​skin is unlikely. You can also take blood from your middle or index finger. This is practiced if plasma donation is carried out on a regular basis.

Any damage to the skin can lead to the spread of infection. The anatomical location of the index, middle and ring fingers eliminates the possibility of infection spreading to the hand due to the presence of an internal septum. Infection from the little finger or thumb spreads faster.

What is the difference between venous blood sampling and capillary blood sampling?

Why do venous blood sampling if capillary blood donation is much easier? Venous blood analysis is more detailed. Even externally, there are significant differences between capillary and venous blood. The first is quite light, and the blood from the vein is dark. In laboratory conditions, it is much easier to work with a venous blood sample.

What is detailed analysis?

A comprehensive blood test is called a biochemical blood test. Blood taken from a vein is examined. It is prescribed when clinical analysis does not provide enough necessary information.

The advantages of this type of analysis are as follows:

• Accurate diagnosis of the disease;
• Possibility of determining the level of vitamins in the body;
• The ability to identify the disease at the initial stage, in the absence of characteristic symptoms;

Video: Biochemical blood test - interpretation, table and norm

Despite the fact that the general analysis shows less information, it also has its advantages.

These include the following:

• High speed of the procedure;
• Only pierce the skin surface. The depth of the wound does not exceed 3 mm;
• The fence rules are much easier to follow. This increases the reliability of the result;
• Capillary biomaterial is tested much faster than venous blood;
• In private clinics, the price for a general analysis is lower than the cost of a biochemical analysis;

Where to submit?

Doubts regarding your health sooner or later make you wonder how and where to take a general blood test. The answer to this question depends on the patient's requirements and capabilities.

There are three possible options:

• State clinic;
• Private clinic;
• Medical personnel visiting your home;

In the first case, the diagnostic procedure is carried out within the framework of health insurance. Analysis is absolutely free. The disadvantages of donating blood at a government institution include long queues and the procedure being carried out at a strictly fixed time. It takes more time to examine a blood sample, which cannot be said about private clinics.

You can take the test at a paid institution at any convenient time. Main condition– do not eat for more than 3 hours. It costs more to have a medical professional visit your home. The advantages of the service include the absence of the need to leave the walls of the house, which is especially important if the patient is seriously ill.

Analysis results

You can find out how much analysis is done immediately before donating blood. Typically the duration of the study is from 5 to 7 days. In private clinics, the result is ready within 3-5 days after the collection procedure.

If you get bad results, you should remember the following:

• The possibility of error should not be excluded;
• The reliability of the result depends on how correctly the medical worker takes the blood;
• Violation of the rules for preparing for analysis leads to an incorrect result;
• Before the procedure, do not rub your fingers. Ultimately, the result will include increased white blood cell counts;

The results are interpreted by the attending physician. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

As a result of the analysis, data on the following parameters are presented:

• Hemoglobin;
• Red blood cells;
• Reticulocytes;
• Platelets;
• Leukocytes;
• Monocytes;
• Lymphocytes;
• Granulocytes;
• Color index;

A person who has passed the general analysis has a question: what outcome should be feared.

The following situations indicate the presence of serious diseases:

• Fall in hemoglobin level;
• Increase in ESR;
• Increased white blood cell count;
• Reduction of red blood cells;