From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2003-06-22 14:53:51 UTC
Subject: blood hemolysis and glucose levels
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20030622.105532.1532.0.kazpat1@juno.com>
Hemolysis is the Red blood cells break open, and when you run a chemistry
panel you use the serum - so when you draw blood it is whole blood with
the Red blood cells and the serum- this is then spun down and the serum
separates
out to the top and the RBC's go to the bottom. IF the RBC"s break open
and
then there is some of the red blood cells in the serum- the serum will
look
reddish instead of just yellow. The red blood cells contain the
intercellular
potassium so now there is more potassium in the serum than just the
extracellular
potassium. So the potassium level is now falsly high. With a lot of
hemolysis
there can be numbers on the liver panel thrown off so there is
interference when
running the test ( for example increases ALT/AST and bilirubin ).
If the blood sits around too long before spinning the RBC's in the sample
will
start to use some of the glucose from the serum as it sits. Now when you
spin
and separate it the serum glucose level is lower than the real number.
I don't think anything will effect the glucose from the hemolysis except
maybe
interefere with the machine itself and then it may say interference when
the
test was run.
Hemolysis can either occur because there is something affecting the RBC's
like
in certain diseases, severe infections, autoimmune disorders, disorders
of
the RBC suface enzymes that stabilize it,etc. OR from just a tough blood
draw
or something like that while getting the sample. I also think the use of
serum separator
tubes help decrease the hemolysis while spinning, or help get the serum
only
from the sample once spun. Sometimes if there is not much blood, and so
the small
tube has to be used without the jell on the bottm, and that is spun. Now
there is
not something to actually separate the serum and Red blood cells, and
when you
get the serum off the top you may get a little red blood cells in the
pipette-
but I don't actually work in the lab part of it so I am not sure how much
this causes
a problem with the hemolysis. I have the problem at work from time to
time when
I have to draw from a baby and it is hard to get or I can't get a really
good sample
amount.
Patty
On Sat, 21 Jun 2003 14:20:48 -0400 (EDT) "Sarah Nothelfer"
<sknothel@excite.com> writes:
>
> Hi. I'm hoping to get an answer to my question, preferably from a
> vet. Does blood hemolysis alter glucose readings in ferrets? My
> ferret had a blood test done and the blood was sent out to
> California. The lab said the blood was extremely hemolyzed. Lots
> of values were off the charts but they said it was because of the
> hemolysis, so don't worry about it. My main concern was my ferret's
> glucose level. I asked if the hemolysis could alter that reading
> too, and they said no. I've heard other people say yes. Which is
> it? Also, was the blood hemolyzed because it was drawn or handled
> improperly or can other things make it hemolyze? Thank you.
> Sarah
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