I have to take my son for a blood test this week, and on the request form it says he need to be tested for FBC and ESR. Does anyone know what these mean?
2006-09-05 05:42:46 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
FBC stands for Full Blood Count, this means they take a blood sample, prevent it from clotting and then it is placed in a machine that counts the number of red blood cells, white bcs and platelets (involved in blood clotting).
The FBC test can be used to diagnose anaemia (too few red cells) and other abnormalities.
ESR stands for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in which the red cells are measured by how fast they fall to the bottom of a test tube. The rate is measured in millimetres per hour. A high ESR means that you have inflammation, somewhere in your body which is indicative of a number of conditions such as bacterial infection, abscesses, tissue injury or burns or cancer.
Not sure if this will put your mind at ease but hope it improves your understanding.
2006-09-05 06:05:43 · answer #1 · answered by Smiffy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
FBC
This means "Full Blood Count". This test can measure a number of different elements in the blood. It can measure your "haemoglobin". This is the chemical that gives your blood its red colour. If the haemoglobin is low, you are anaemic. There are many different types of anaemia - not all are responsive to iron treatment, so your Doctor will need to determine the exact type of anaemia and why you are anaemic. This test also looks at the size of the red blood cells. If they are large it can be a sign that you drink alcohol regularly, or have thyroid disease or vitamin deficiency (amongst other things). The FBC also looks at the white blood cells. These are the cells that fight off infection. The white blood cells may be increased when you are suffering from an illness.
ESR
This means "Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate". When you are ill, whether it is arthritis, a sore throat, or virtually any disease, the cells in your blood become "sticky". We can measure this "stickiness" by filling a tall glass column with blood and measuring how long it takes for the cells to sink down the column. The stickier they are, the longer it takes for them to sink and the higher the "ESR" figure is. This test can be difficult to interpret because it is normal for the ESR to increase with age and, if it is high, it gives no indication as to the cause. It is often used to monitor the response to treatment of arthritis.
2006-09-05 05:47:33 · answer #2 · answered by Scott L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
FBC stands for A Full Blood Count, this will assess a majority of the elements in your sons blood including iron levels to maybe check for anaemia, the ESR is Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, this will check for any signs of infection. There should only be one injection into your sons arm as a little device called a vacutainer can be added to fill up the bottles.
2006-09-05 05:57:13 · answer #3 · answered by betty 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scott L
Level 1
FBC
This means "Full Blood Count". This test can measure a number of different elements in the blood. It can measure your "haemoglobin". This is the chemical that gives your blood its red colour. If the haemoglobin is low, you are anaemic. There are many different types of anaemia - not all are responsive to iron treatment, so your Doctor will need to determine the exact type of anaemia and why you are anaemic. This test also looks at the size of the red blood cells. If they are large it can be a sign that you drink alcohol regularly, or have thyroid disease or vitamin deficiency (amongst other things). The FBC also looks at the white blood cells. These are the cells that fight off infection. The white blood cells may be increased when you are suffering from an illness.
ESR
This means "Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate". When you are ill, whether it is arthritis, a sore throat, or virtually any disease, the cells in your blood become "sticky". We can measure this "stickiness" by filling a tall glass column with blood and measuring how long it takes for the cells to sink down the column. The stickier they are, the longer it takes for them to sink and the higher the "ESR" figure is. This test can be difficult to interpret because it is normal for the ESR to increase with age and, if it is high, it gives no indication as to the cause. It is often used to monitor the response to treatment of arthritis.
internet comes in handy why didnt you just google it like me
2006-09-05 05:48:46 · answer #4 · answered by michaelizdabest 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ESR is erythrocyte sedimentation rate, FBC is probably Full Blood Count....do you live in the U.S., if so, then that is what is probably means.
In Canada it is referred to as a CBC, or Complete Blood Count. Hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelets, hematocrit, neutrophils etc. are what is included. ESR usually indicates inflammation in the body. Hope this helps. I would double check though on the FBC, usually if you call the lab they will tell you, plus you need to make sure there isn't anything he should be fasting for..ie glucose.
2006-09-05 05:52:19 · answer #5 · answered by RN 1994 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
FBC = Full Blood Count
http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/cbc/glance.html
ESR = Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/esr/test.html
2006-09-05 05:47:59 · answer #6 · answered by HoosierMommy06 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
(FBC) is a full blood count test it is a commonly performed test as it can tell a great amount about general health. Blood flows throughout the body and is therefore levels within blood can be affected by changes brought about by illness, various conditions, infection and disease. A full blood count measures the number, shape, size and appearance of various cells within blood.
ESR are blood tests that detect inflammation. Thses are useful tests to help diagnose and monitor the activity of certain diseases.
2006-09-05 05:47:25 · answer #7 · answered by Lyssa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your son is having a full blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. basically these are routine blood tests for anaemia and infection
2006-09-05 07:25:35 · answer #8 · answered by bevke 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hiya, i dont know the answer but you E mailed me a couple of weeks ago and i dont have an address to reply to you. Saw your Q and thought i would leave you this message!!
2006-09-05 05:51:59 · answer #9 · answered by ducky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry I don't know what those are, but I'm sure you can call the doctor's office/lab and ask!
2006-09-05 05:45:53 · answer #10 · answered by ilana 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋