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Original Date The Johns Hopkins Hospital Patient Information 12/00 Oncology Revised/ Reviewed 6/14 Your Blood Cells
Where are Blood cells are made in the bone marrow. The bone marrow blood cells is a liquid that looks like blood. It is found in several places of made? the body, such as your hips, chest bone and the middle part of your arm and leg bones.
What types of • The three main types of blood cells are the red blood cells, blood cells do the white blood cells and the platelets. I have? • Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. The normal hematocrit (or percentage of red blood cells in the blood) is 41-53%. Anemia means low red blood cells.
• White blood cells fight infection. The normal white blood cell count is 4.5-11 (K/cu mm). The most important white blood cell to fight infection is the neutrophil. Forty to seventy percent (40-70%) of your white blood cells should be neutrophils. Neutropenia means your neutrophils are low, or less than 40%.
• Platelets help your blood to clot and stop bleeding. The normal platelet count is 150-350 (K/cu mm). Thrombocytopenia means low platelets.
How do you Your blood cells are measured by a test called the Complete measure my Blood Count (CBC) or Heme 8/Diff. You may want to keep track blood cells? of your blood counts on the back of this sheet.
What When your blood counts are low, you may become anemic, get happens infections and bleed or bruise easier. You will receive instruction when my sheets on what to do if your blood counts are low. blood counts are low?
0965 ©2009 The Johns Hopkins Hospital Page 2 of 2
My Blood Counts
Date Hematocrit White Blood Neutrophils Platelets Comments Cells
0965 ©2009 The Johns Hopkins Hospital