Anemia test | Blood test

What is examined in the laboratory examination for Anemia?

In anemia, there may be too few red blood cells in the blood or they may not function properly. In men, anemia is present when the hemoglobin level is below 8.5 mmol/l. In women, this threshold is slightly lower: 7.5 mmol/l. Different values apply to pregnant women. You can stimulate the production of hemoglobin by consuming sufficient iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid.

By measuring a wide range of values, you get a good picture of your overall health.
With the results, you can make lifestyle adjustments to reduce health risks, such as changes in diet or increased physical activity.
Urine and blood examinations are simple and often painless ways to gather important information about your health.
Reliable results within a few days.

Specifications Blood Test Anemia

Laboratory

syringe Anaemia

Details

Provides insight into
Pros and cons
Alternatives
Risks
Technical description

Provides insight into

An additional blood test for anemia provides insight into hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cells to determine the presence and severity of anemia. It can also measure iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, and folic acid to identify possible causes such as iron deficiency or vitamin deficiencies. In addition, it provides information about the production of red blood cells and can reveal hereditary or chronic forms of anemia.

It is possible that an examination may lead to incidental findings. Before the examination, Prescan will ask whether you wish to be informed about incidental findings for which monitoring or treatment is possible, and incidental findings concerning conditions that may affect your offspring. Prescan is not permitted to inform you about incidental findings for which no monitoring or treatment is possible (see NEN 8051 standard for more information).

For more information about preventive medical examinations, Prescan recommends consulting the following independent sources:

Brochure from KNMG

RIVM Health Testing website

Parameters:

Reticulocytes: Young red blood cells; high counts indicate increased production (in case of blood loss or recovery), while low counts may point to bone marrow problems such as aplastic anemia.
Ferritin: Measures iron stores; low values indicate iron deficiency (an early sign of anemia), while high values may suggest inflammation, infection, or iron overload.
Transferrin: Transports iron through the blood; elevated values indicate iron deficiency, while low values occur with chronic diseases or liver problems.
Iron saturation: Measures the percentage of transferrin that is saturated; low saturation indicates iron deficiency, while high saturation may suggest iron overload.
Leukocytes: White blood cells that play a role in immunity; elevated counts occur with infections or inflammations, while low counts may point to immune disorders or bone marrow problems.
Platelets: Blood cells responsible for clotting; too few platelets increase the risk of bleeding, while too many can lead to thrombosis.
Iron: Essential mineral for oxygen transport; low values indicate iron deficiency, while high values may suggest iron overload or liver problems.
Vitamin B12: Needed for the production of red blood cells and nerve health; deficiency leads to anemia and neurological symptoms.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Early detection: It helps identify issues such as diabetes or high cholesterol early, even before you experience symptoms.
Health monitoring: It provides a good overview of your general health and can track any changes over time.
Prevention: By spotting abnormalities early, you can prevent or reduce health problems by adjusting your lifestyle.
Lifestyle advice: With the results, you can receive personalised advice on how to improve your health.
The blood test is safe and can be repeated without risk.

Cons:

Unnecessary worries: Minor abnormalities may cause concern, even if they do not require immediate treatment.
False-positive results: The test may suggest that something is wrong when there is actually no issue. This can lead to extra stress and additional examinations.
False-negative results: Sometimes problems are missed, which can give a false sense of security.
Invasive: It requires a blood draw, which can be uncomfortable or stressful for some people.

Alternatives

There are no direct alternatives available for this examination.

Risks

Temporary pain or discomfort at the site of the blood draw.
Bruising or slight swelling at the puncture site.
In some cases, more than usual bleeding may occur, especially in individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking blood thinners.

Technical description

Laboratory protocol

The laboratory test at Prescan is carried out according to a standardized protocol. The blood sample is taken intravenously, which means the blood is drawn from a vein, usually in the arm. The collected blood is placed in a tube containing an anticoagulant (such as EDTA).
This process is performed by experienced medical assistants, who ensure that the blood draw is safe, hygienic, and as comfortable as possible.

The parameters measured during the laboratory test are:

Reticulocytes
Ferritin
Transferrin
Iron saturation
Leukocytes
Platelets
Iron
Vitamin B12

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Laboratory Examination Anemia