Interpreting Blood test results for the layperson?

[TinaZim]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and was told it was very good by someone on Instagram. I've had Hypothyroidism - Hashimoto's for over 25 years, however, I've never understood my blood test results or what they mean!? I've recently moved to live in France. Can you enlighten me on the below, please? Red blood cells - 4.25, Haemoglobin 12.9, Hematocrit 41%, V.G.M. 95.4, C.C.M.H. 31.7 g/dl, T.C.M.H. 30.2, Red blood cell distribution index 14%. Thanks in advance for your help.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

TinaZim

Welcome to the forum.

We can't interpret blood test results unless the reference ranges accompany them. Can you please list your results with ranges and those that you have given abbreviations for you'll need to give the actual name of the test, not just VGM, etc.

Obviously none of those are thyroid tests so is there a specific reason these have been tested?

[TinaZim in reply to SeasideSusie]

I don't know what these initials mean either. I have an appointment with my French doctor so hopefully, he will enlighten me. Thanks.

[helvella Administrator in reply to TinaZim]

Don't waste your time with the doctor asking such things. Look them up!

This in the UK part of a group of cooperating sites:

labtestsonline.org.uk/

And this is the French version:

labtestsonline.fr/

I think you should find most things in both - but not necessarily in exactly the same form.

VGM

Le volume globulaire moyen (VGM) ou volume moyen corpusculaire (VMC) représente le volume moyen des globules rouges. Il peut être directement mesuré par les automates de numération, ou calculé en divisant l’hématocrite (volume total des globules rouges) par le nombre de globules rouges. Sa valeur normale est comprise entre 80 et 100 femtolitres (10-15 litres). Le VGM est augmenté quand les globules rouges sont plus gros que la normale (macrocytose), comme par exemple lors des anémies causées par un déficit en vitamine B12. Quand le VGM diminue, les globules rouges sont plus petits que la normale (microcytose), comme cela se voit dans les carences en fer ou les thalassémies.

CCMH

La concentration corpusculaire moyenne en hémoglobine (CCMH) indique la concentration moyenne d’hémoglobine dans un globule rouge. Elle peut être calculée en divisant la concentration d’hémoglobine exprimée par litre de sang par la valeur de l’hématocrite. Les valeurs normales sont comprises entre 30 et 35 g/%. Une CCMH diminuée (hypochromie) est observée quand l’hémoglobine est anormalement diluée dans les hématies, comme lors de carences en fer ou dans les thalassémies. Il n’existe pas de cas pathologiques où la CCMH est supérieure aux valeurs normales, qui correspondent à une solution saturée en hémoglobine (si la CCMH est > 36 ou 37g/%, il s'agit vraisemblablement d'une erreur technique ou d'un problème de prélèvement: agglutinines froides...).

TCMH

La teneur corpusculaire moyenne en hémoglobine (TCMH) est la quantité moyenne d’hémoglobine contenue dans une hématie. La TCMH se calcule en divisant la concentration d’hémoglobine exprimée par litre de sang par le nombre de globules rouges par litre de sang. La valeur normale est comprise entre 28 et 32 picogrammes par hématie. Une augmentation de la TCMH peut éventuellement se voir au cours des anémies macrocytaires, car les hématies sont plus grosses que la normale et tendent donc à avoir une TCMH plus élevée. A l’inverse, la TCMH peut être diminuée dans de nombreux types d’anémie (carence en fer, etc) dont les anémies microcytaires.

A quick automatic online translation gives:

VGM = MCV

The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) or mean corpuscular volume (MCV) represents the average volume of red blood cells. It can be directly measured by automatic counters, or calculated by dividing the hematocrit (total volume of red blood cells) by the number of red blood cells. Its normal value is between 80 and 100 femtoliters (10-15 liters). MCV is increased when red blood cells are larger than normal (macrocytosis), for example in anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. When MCV decreases, red blood cells are smaller than normal (microcytosis), as seen in iron deficiency or thalassemia.

CCMH = MCHC

The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) indicates the average concentration of hemoglobin in a red blood cell. It can be calculated by dividing the hemoglobin concentration expressed per liter of blood by the hematocrit value. Normal values ​​are between 30 and 35 g /%. Decreased MCHC (hypochromia) is seen when hemoglobin is abnormally diluted in red blood cells, such as in iron deficiency or in thalassemia. There are no pathological cases where the CCMH is higher than normal values, which correspond to a solution saturated with hemoglobin (if the CCMH is> 36 or 37g /%, it is probably a technical error or a sampling problem: cold agglutinins ...).

TCMH = MCH

The mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (TCMH) is the average amount of hemoglobin contained in a red blood cell. MCTH is calculated by dividing the concentration of hemoglobin expressed per liter of blood by the number of red blood cells per liter of blood. The normal value is between 28 and 32 picograms per red cell. An increase in TCMH can eventually be seen in macrocytic anemias, as the red blood cells are larger than normal and therefore tend to have a higher TCMH. Conversely, TCMH can be reduced in many types of anemia (iron deficiency, etc.) including microcytic anemia.

[TinaZim in reply to helvella]

Thanks for all your hard work. I'm an intelligent woman but find all this contradictory advice rather confusing. Interestingly enough in the UK my doctors refused to give me access to my blood reports years ago when I first was diagnosed.

[helvella Administrator in reply to TinaZim]

Access to records, including test results, has changed massively over the years.

There is much contradiction - I agree. Even things which most of us would think should be straightforward are often needlessly complicated.