Understanding the Blood Test

L. A. Sorrels · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 04:32 PM

I am trying to decipher the CBC from a local hospital. I have the MCH, MCHC, etc. but a couple of them I can't figure out: There is a list of 10 results of the test and then after several are the basis of my questions:
1. After "WBC" is "103UL". What is UL?
2. After "MCV" is fL. What is the "fL"?
3. MCH pg. What is the "pg"?

Thanks

bloodlessplease · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 02:35 AM

hey there.

in all the above cases, what you mention is the unit used to measure the value.

so in the case of the wbc, the unit of measure is (x10^3/uL). So if your WBC count is 1,5 then this would mean that you have 1500 (1,5 x 1000) white blood cells in every microlitre (uL) of blood.

for the Mean Corpuscular Volume the unit of measure is the femtolitre (fL).

finally for the Mean Cell Hb the unit of measure is pg/cell. in other words if your MCH count is 29 pg/cell you have 29 picograms of Hb in each cell.

hope that helps

L. A. Sorrels · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 10:39 AM

I appreciate your taking the time to answer these questions. Very kind.

bloodlessplease · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 04:05 AM

hey not a problem. glad to help

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Understanding the Blood Test

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