Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does This Blood Report Indicate?
Question: Hello.
I am 56 years old and consider myself to be in very good health. I just got the results of my blood tests (required for health insurance, I live in Europe). Two items stood out as "out of the range" - platelet count was 173 G/L vs 185 to 445 as the usual range. (note I have seen 150 as the bottom of the range from other labs) AND a high MCV (98 versus 75 to 96 as usual). Cholesterol, etc.. all looked fine. Do you have any thoughts on this? Thank you.
I have a bit of an addiction to matcha green tea and wonder if this might be related. I drink several cups a day. Blood sugar was normal.
Thanks
I am 56 years old and consider myself to be in very good health. I just got the results of my blood tests (required for health insurance, I live in Europe). Two items stood out as "out of the range" - platelet count was 173 G/L vs 185 to 445 as the usual range. (note I have seen 150 as the bottom of the range from other labs) AND a high MCV (98 versus 75 to 96 as usual). Cholesterol, etc.. all looked fine. Do you have any thoughts on this? Thank you.
I have a bit of an addiction to matcha green tea and wonder if this might be related. I drink several cups a day. Blood sugar was normal.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Your blood test is within the normal limits for a healthy individual
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, it seems that your blood tests are within the normal limits.
I would like to explain that reference ranges may vary depending on the individual laboratory and patient's age.
MCV stands for "mean corpuscular volume" and is the average volume of red cells in a specimen.
The reference range for MCV is 80-96 fL/red cell in adult.
A high MCV would raise the suspicion for macrocytosis(large average RBC size), but it is generally defined as a mean corpuscular volume greater than 100fL.
But your MCV values are not fulfilling the criteria for macrocytosis.
I recommend repeating the blood test every month for the next months, and see how it is going to change.
If MCV increases over 100fL in the next analysis, further lab tests may be necessary to establish the possible cause (the most common etiologies are alcoholism, vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction etc.).
Regarding your platelet number: the normal number of platelets in the blood is 150,000 - 400,000 platelets per micro liter (mcL). A smaller number than 150.000plt/mcL would be concerning for thrombocytopenia.
But this is not your case.
As you can see, your lab tests are normal. So there is nothing to worry about!
From the other side, matcha green tea intake is not related to any adverse affects causing these changes in the blood test.
It has been reported that it can lower the iron absorption in the intestine, but this would lead into anemia and low hemoglobin, which can be excluded by your actual blood test (as you refer all the other parameters were within the normal limits).
Hope to have been of help!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Your blood test is within the normal limits for a healthy individual
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, it seems that your blood tests are within the normal limits.
I would like to explain that reference ranges may vary depending on the individual laboratory and patient's age.
MCV stands for "mean corpuscular volume" and is the average volume of red cells in a specimen.
The reference range for MCV is 80-96 fL/red cell in adult.
A high MCV would raise the suspicion for macrocytosis(large average RBC size), but it is generally defined as a mean corpuscular volume greater than 100fL.
But your MCV values are not fulfilling the criteria for macrocytosis.
I recommend repeating the blood test every month for the next months, and see how it is going to change.
If MCV increases over 100fL in the next analysis, further lab tests may be necessary to establish the possible cause (the most common etiologies are alcoholism, vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction etc.).
Regarding your platelet number: the normal number of platelets in the blood is 150,000 - 400,000 platelets per micro liter (mcL). A smaller number than 150.000plt/mcL would be concerning for thrombocytopenia.
But this is not your case.
As you can see, your lab tests are normal. So there is nothing to worry about!
From the other side, matcha green tea intake is not related to any adverse affects causing these changes in the blood test.
It has been reported that it can lower the iron absorption in the intestine, but this would lead into anemia and low hemoglobin, which can be excluded by your actual blood test (as you refer all the other parameters were within the normal limits).
Hope to have been of help!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks very much, very helpful.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome!
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
I am at your disposal for further questions whenever you need!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome!
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
I am at your disposal for further questions whenever you need!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
