This page is a basic list of all of the
things that I found helpful to know, or that cuts through a lot of the jargon
you'll read or be told.
Please always refer to the external links for
more detailed citations and information, and please never make important
decisions based on this information alone, always refer to your health care
professional for more advice.
A
Anticardiolipin Antibody (see also Thrombophilias)
The presence of anticardiolipin antibodies
can be associated with recurrent thromboses (blood clots), stroke, deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), recurrent pregnancy loss, livedo, seizures, and other
conditions. There are different classes (isotypes) of anticardiolipin
antibody, namely IgG, IgM, and IgA. IgG is the anticardiolipin antibody type most
associated with complications. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is
used to test for anticardiolipin antibodies. One can test for all isotypes at
once, or they can be detected separately. High levels of the IgM isotype are
associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, a condition in which an
individual’s immune system attacks their red blood cells. See
also antiphospholipids / lupus anticoagulant / known to produce similar
effects
Reference: www.hopkinslupus.org
B
Basophils
A type of White Blood Cell
C
CBC
Complete Blood Count
D
Diptheria
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection
that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. Although it spreads
easily from one person to another, diphtheria can be prevented through the use
of vaccines. Call your doctor right away if you believe you have diphtheria. If
it’s left untreated, diphtheria can cause severe damage to your kidneys,
nervous system, and heart.
E
Eosinophils
A type of White Blood cell
F
Factor V Leiden (see also Thrombophilias)
A mutation of one of the clotting factors in
the blood called factor V. This mutation can increase your chance of developing
abnormal blood clots (thrombophilia), usually in your veins. Most people with
factor V Leiden (FAK-tur five LIDE-n) never develop abnormal clots. But some do
develop clots that lead to long-term health problems or become
life-threatening. Both men and women can have factor V Leiden. Women may have
an increased tendency to develop blood clots during pregnancy or when taking
the hormone estrogen. A family history of factor V Leiden increases your risk
of inheriting the disorder. The disorder is most common in people who are white
and of European descent. Most women with factor V Leiden have normal
pregnancies. But the mutation has been linked with an increased risk of
miscarriage and possibly other complications during pregnancy, including
pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (preeclampsia), slow fetal growth and
early separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (placental abruption).
If you're a pregnant woman with factor V Leiden, be sure your doctor monitors
you carefully throughout your pregnancy. Two types of tests can be done:
Activated protein C resistance test - Your blood sample may be tested to
determine whether your blood is resistant to activated protein C, one of the
anti-clotting proteins that help control factor V. This is known as an
activated protein C (APC) resistance assay. If your blood is resistant to
activated protein C, you likely have a mutation in the factor V gene.
Genetic test - A genetic test is done to determine
whether you have a factor V gene mutation. It may also be used to confirm the
results of the APC resistance test or to determine whether you've inherited one
or two copies of the gene mutation. If you're taking blood-thinning medications
(anticoagulants), you may have only the genetic test. Anticoagulants interfere
with the activated protein C resistance test
Reference: www.mayoclinic.org
G
H
Hematocrit
The proportion of your total blood volume
that is composed of red blood cells. A hematocrit (Hct) test indicates whether
you have too few or too many red blood cells — conditions that can occur as the
result of certain diseases. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, transport oxygen
throughout your body.
A lower than normal hematocrit may indicate:
An insufficient supply of healthy red blood
cells (anemia)
A large number of white blood cells — usually
a very small portion of your blood — due to long-term illness, infection,
leukemia, lymphoma or other disorders of white blood cells
Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
Recent or long-term blood loss
A higher than normal hematocrit may indicate:
Dehydration
A disorder, such as polycythemia vera, that
causes your body to produce too many red blood cells
Lung or heart disease — if the body senses
low oxygen levels, it will make more red blood cells in an effort to increase
the amount of oxygen in the blood
Reference: www.mayoclinic.org
Hemoglobin
The substance in red blood
cells that carries oxygen. The most common types of normal hemoglobin
are:
Hemoglobin A. This is the most common type of hemoglobin
found normally in adults. Some diseases, such as severe forms
of thalassemia, may cause hemoglobin A levels to be low and hemoglobin F
levels to be high.
Hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin). This type is normally found
in fetuses and newborn babies. Hemoglobin F is replaced by
hemoglobin A (adult hemoglobin) shortly after birth; only very small amounts of
hemoglobin F are made after birth. Some diseases, such as sickle cell
disease, aplastic anemia, and leukemia, have abnormal types of
hemoglobin and higher amounts of hemoglobin F.
Hemoglobin A2. This is a normal type of hemoglobin found in
small amounts in adults.
There are more than 350 types of abnormal
hemoglobin. The most common are:
Hemoglobin S. This type of hemoglobin is present
in sickle cell disease.
Hemoglobin C. This type of hemoglobin does not carry
oxygen well.
Hemoglobin E. This type of hemoglobin is found in people
of Southeast Asian descent.
Hemoglobin D. This type of hemoglobin is present in
some sickle cell disorders.
Hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C are the most
common types of abnormal hemoglobin. An abnormal amount of normal
hemoglobin or an abnormal type of hemoglobin in the blood may mean that a
disease is present. Abnormal hemoglobin types may be present without any other
symptoms, may cause mild diseases that do not have symptoms, or cause diseases
that can be life-threatening. For example, hemoglobin S is found in sickle cell
disease, which is a serious abnormality of the blood and causes serious
problems. A low hemoglobin count is a commonly seen blood test result.
Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
throughout the body. In many cases, a low hemoglobin count is only slightly lower
than normal and doesn't affect how you feel. If it gets more severe and causes
symptoms, your low hemoglobin count may indicate you have anemia.
HBsAg
(also known as Australia antigen) is the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It indicates current hepatitis B infection
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HBsAg
I
J
K
L
Lymphocytes
A type of White Blood Cell also known as
lymph cells, lymphocysts, and lympholeukocytes. They help provide a
specific response to attack invading organisms and protect the body
against tumors (they can also cause the rejection of tissues during organ
transplants because they interpret these tissues as foreign
invaders). There are many possible causes for an abnormally high
lymphocyte count (known as lymphocytosis). Some basic causes of a high
lymphocyte count are the flu and the chickenpox. Other causes of a high
lymphoocyte level include tuberculosis, mumps, rubella, varicella, whooping
cough, brucellosis, and herpes simplex. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cause increases in lymphocytes. Other
conditions that can cause an abnormally high lymphocyte count include
mononucleosis, hepatitis, toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus. Certain
medications can also lead to a high lymphocyte count. There are also many
possible causes for an abnormally low lymphocyte count (known as
lymphocytopenia). Since lymphocytes are made in the bone marrow, if not enough
bone marrow is produced or the activity of the bone marrow decreases,
an abnormally low lymphocyte count can occur. Bone marrow destruction
occurs in aplastic anemia. People with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome) often have an abnormally low lymphocyte count. Tumors can cause
an abnormally low lymphocyte count. Steroids can cause an abnormal decrease in
the lymphocyte account. An overactive adrenal cortex can also cause an abnormal
decrease in the lymphocyte count. Some disorders that affect the nerves in the
body can cause the lymphocyte level to be too low. Examples are multiple
sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Reference: www.medfriendly.com
M
Macrocyte
An erythrocyte that exceeds 9 μm in diameter on a peripheral blood film, associated with a MCV greater than 100 fL. Macrocytes are seen in liver disease, alcoholism, megaloblastic anemia with folate or cobalamin deficiency, and inmyelodysplastic syndromes.
When the MCV blood test has a HIGH number this means that the blood cells are
too large and is called macrocytosis or Macrocytic Anemia. You doctor may suspect Vitamin
B12 Deficiency.
Microcyte
An unusually small red blood cell associated with iron deficiency anemia.
Microcytic anemia, also called Microcytosis, occurs when the MCV blood test
number is lower than normal. What this means is that the average volume of the
red blood cells is smaller than normal. Microcytosis is also a common
occurrence on blood tests, especially in menstruating women, but this condition
usually gets looked into by doctors. This is because one of the most dangerous
reasons that microcytic anemia occurs is a 'sub clinical' slowly bleeding ulcer
or other bleeding problem. Most often these slow bleeding conditions occur in
the digestive tract and could be very dangerous if left untreated. But if you have
a low MCV blood test and your doctor has determined that you are NOT bleeding
then the other possibilities for a low MCV blood test result are:
Low intake of Vitamin B6
Heavy metal excess
Gastrointestinal Malabsorption Problems such
as Gluten Sensitivity
Low Intake of Iron- common in vegetarians and
vegans, or those with poor nutrition
MCV
A component of the CBC Blood Test that
measures the number and the different types of cells in your blood.
Specifically, it is actually a measure of the average volume of Red Blood
Cells that are also called Erythrocytes. The word MCV stands for Mean Corpuscle
Volume - as red blood cells are also sometimes referred to as corpuscles.
There are two possibilities for abnormal
levels are:
Macrocytic Anemia: When the number is bigger than it should be,
this means that the cell is LARGER than normal. This is a condition
called Macrocytic Anemia or Macrocytosis.
Microcytic Anemia: When the number is smaller than normal, the
cell is too SMALL and this is a condition called Microcytic Anemia or
Microcytosis.
While the term 'anemia' by itself is a well
known condition that usually means too few red blood cells, low iron, or too
little hemoglobin; microcytic and macrocytic anemia mean something different.
Monocytes
A type of White Blood Cell that helps
other white blood cells to remove dead or damaged tissues, destroy cancer
cells, and regulate immunity against foreign substances. Monocytes are produced
in the bone marrow and then enter the bloodstream. After a few
hours they migrate to tissues such as the spleen, liver, lung,
and bone marrow, where they mature into macrophages, the main scavenger
cells of the immune system. An increased number of monocytes in the blood
(monocytosis) occurs in response to chronic infections,
in autoimmune disorders, in blood disorders, and in cancers. When
the monocyte level is too low, this is known as monocytopenia. Low monocyte
counts can also be caused low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12.
Because monocytes are produced in the bone marrow, any illness or chemical that
affects the bone marrow can also cause a low monocyte count. There are
many health conditions that affect the bone marrow. One example is HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus). Another example of a condition that can affect bone
marrow is aplastic anemia and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Other examples
include rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, malaria, and Epstein-Barr virus.
Medications can interfere with bone marrow and lower the monocyte
count. When the monocyte level is too high, this is known as monocytosis.
This can happen for several reasons such as stress, inflammation, a fever from
a virus, severe infection, premature cell death in living tissue, diseases that
result from abnormal activity of the immune system, and regeneration of red
blood cells. Other causes of high monocytes is sarcoidosis, Chronic
granulomatous disease (CGD) and Cushing’s syndrome.
N
Neutrophils
A type of White Blood
Cell (also occasionally known as neutrocytes) are the most
abundant type of granulocytes and the most abundant (40% to 75%) type
of white blood cells in most mammals. They form an essential part of
the innate immune system. They are formed from stem
cells in the bone marrow. They are short-lived and highly mobile, as
they can enter parts of tissue where other cells/molecules wouldn't be able to
enter otherwise. Neutrophils may be subdivided into segmented neutrophils and
banded neutrophils (or bands). They form part of the polymorphonuclear
cell family (PMNs) together with basophils and eosinophils. During
the beginning phase of inflammation, particularly as a result
of bacterial infection, environmental exposure, and some
cancers, neutrophils are one of the first-responders of inflammatory cells
to migrate towards the site of inflammation. They are the predominant cells
in pus. Neutrophils are recruited to the site of injury within
minutes following trauma, and are the hallmark of acute
inflammation; however, due to some pathogens being indigestible,
they can be unable to resolve certain infections without the assistance of
other types of immune cell. Low neutrophil counts are termed neutropenia.
This can be congenital (developed at or before birth) or it can
develop later, as in the case of aplastic anemia or some kinds
of leukemia. It can also be a side-effect of medication,
most prominently chemotherapy. Neutropenia makes an individual highly
susceptible to infections. It can also be the result of colonization by
intracellular neutrophilic parasites.
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrophil
O
Osmotic fragility test
Used to diagnose two hereditary conditions:
thalassemia and hereditary spherocytosis.
Thalassemia causes your body to make an abnormal form of hemoglobin. If you have
thalassemia, your red blood cells are more likely to be destroyed. This can
lead to anemia.
Hereditary spherocytosis causes problems with the outer layer of your
red blood cells, distorting their shape. This can also lead to anemia.
Reference: www.healthline.com
P
Pertussis (Whooping cough)
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a
respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria.
Pertussis usually begins with mild, cold-like symptoms which develop over one
to two weeks into coughing fits which can be severe. The cough can often last
for two to three months and because of this, pertussis is known as the ‘100 day
cough’ in some countries. Who does it affect?
Pertussis most commonly affects infants. Very
young infants are at highest risk of serious complications, of needing
admission to hospital or of dying from pertussis. Pertussis does, however, also
occur in older children, adolescents and adults. In all age groups, apart from
children who have recently been vaccinated (those aged from four months to
around nine years), the number of cases of pertussis in the UK has been high in
recent years.
POAS
Pee on a Stick - when you are TTC and peeing
on either an Ovulation or Pregnancy test
Q
R
S
T
Tdap
Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects
against three bacterial diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping
cough).
Tetanus
Tetanus is a dangerous nerve ailment caused
by the toxin of a common bacterium, Clostridium tetani.
Thrombophilias
It is believed that there is an association
between inherited thrombophilias and first trimester pregnancy loss.
TTC
Trying to Concieve - I think this is meant to
be an attempt to make us all feel like we belong to a gang or cult of young
women all bonding over a similar struggle in our universe. You will be referred
to as TTC by many doctors, nurses, websites and authors. It gets annoying, at
least to me its annoying, but it is what it says on the tin...you are trying to
conceive a baby and every night you are coxing your partner to bed with come
impregnate me eyes, or every morning you wake up and pee on a stick in case
this month is lucky, or every day you remember that your forgot to take your
folic acid yesterday...throughout all of this you are TTC.
Trisomy 21
This is a medical term for "Down's
Syndrome", please note this is not the only medical term, it can also be
referred to by the karyotype 47,+21 (XX for females and XY for males)
and probably others, but Trisomy 21 is the most common I have been told.
It is caused by the failure of the 21st chromosome to separate during egg
or sperm development. As a result, a sperm or egg cell is produced with an
extra copy of chromosome 21; this cell thus has 24 chromosomes. When combined
with a normal cell from the other parent, the baby has 47 chromosomes, with
three copies of chromosome 21. Some embryos can, and will, go on to develop and
may even be born, but they will essentially have Down's syndrome and your life
will never be the same again. Either because your baby does not survive or
because it does and your bundle of joy brings with it a set of complications
that you didn't think were possible to even fathom...but you will, if that is
want you want. I just want to add that nobody should judge anyones reaction
or decision as to how to handle the news about Trisomy 21, there
will always be tears and probably honest deep rooted questions about
fate and fortune, but whether you decide to give birth to a baby with Trisomy
21, or not, or if that decision is taken away from you because your body takes
control of the matter in hand (as was the case with me, I miscarried a baby
girl at 11 weeks due to Trisomy 21), no one can, or should, judge you.
Ultrasound
This can be done in two ways. In early
pregnancy, or when they need to get an up close and more personal look at
things up there, they can use a Vaginal Transducer. This is a dildo shaped
camera thingy, which they cover with a condom and some KY and place inside you.
It's not uncomfortable, just a bit weird the first time, but you'll be so
excited about what you're seeing on the screen that you won't be too grossed
out ("gross" hasn't even begun at this stage). The other approach is
to use a hand-held transducer over your tummy (with some cool gel), this one also
picks up the sound of the heartbeat!
U
V
VDRL
A blood test for syphilis (VDRL stands for
Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) that detects an antibody that is present
in the bloodstream when a patient has syphilis.
W
White blood cells (WBCs)
Are also called leukocytes, are an important
part of the immune system. These cells help fight infections by attacking
bacteria, viruses, and germs that invade the body. White blood cells originate
in the bone marrow, but circulate throughout the bloodstream. A WBC count
is a test that measures the number of white blood cells in your body. This test
is often included with a complete blood count (CBC). Your blood contains a
percentage of each type of white blood cell. Sometimes, however, your white
blood cell count can fall or rise out of the healthy range.
Leukopenia is the medical term used to
describe a low WBC count. A low number can be triggered by:
HIV
autoimmune disorders
bone marrow disorders/damage
lymphoma
severe infections
liver and spleen diseases
lupus
radiation therapy
Leukocytosis is the medical term used to
describe a high WBC count. This can be triggered by:
anemia
tumors in the bone marrow
leukemia
inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis
and bowel disease
stress
exercise
tissue damage
pregnancy
allergies
asthma
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a
respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria.
Pertussis usually begins with mild, cold-like symptoms which develop over one
to two weeks into coughing fits which can be severe. The cough can often last
for two to three months and because of this, pertussis is known as the ‘100 day
cough’ in some countries. Who does it affect?
Pertussis most commonly affects infants. Very
young infants are at highest risk of serious complications, of needing
admission to hospital or of dying from pertussis. Pertussis does, however, also
occur in older children, adolescents and adults. In all age groups, apart from
children who have recently been vaccinated (those aged from four months to
around nine years), the number of cases of pertussis in the UK has been high in
recent years.
X
Y
Z
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