Blood Disorder Screening Package

EliteMedical's Blood Disorder Screening Package is a targeted assessment for patients experiencing symptoms consistent with anaemia, iron deficiency, or haematopoietic dysfunction: pallor, unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath on exertion, headaches, loss of appetite, or unexplained weight loss. The package covers a full blood count plus the iron studies and vitamin co-factor panel (B12, folate) needed to determine the type and likely cause of any haematological abnormality found. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency globally and is frequently missed or incompletely investigated — ferritin alone is insufficient, and the package includes the full iron panel (ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation) needed to distinguish iron deficiency from iron deficiency anaemia, anaemia of chronic disease, and other subtypes. An internal examination and vital signs measurement are completed first to provide clinical context for the laboratory findings.

The Krevní poruchy package at EliteMedical addresses a diagnostic gap that is common in general practice: the full blood count (CBC) is ordered, anaemia is detected, but the investigation stops there without the specific iron studies, B12, and folate assays needed to determine the cause and guide treatment. **Blood panel components:** *Full blood count (CBC):* - Haemoglobin, haematocrit, RBC count - MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) — the critical discriminator: low MCV (microcytic) = iron deficiency or thalassaemia; normal MCV = anaemia of chronic disease; high MCV (macrocytic) = B12 or folate deficiency - MCH, MCHC — haemoglobin content per red cell - White cell count with differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) — screens for infection, inflammation, immune disorders - Platelets — thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis - Reticulocyte count — indicates marrow response to anaemia (low = poor marrow response; high = haemolysis or blood loss) *Iron studies:* - **Ferritin** — the storage form of iron; the most sensitive marker for iron store depletion. However, ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant that can be falsely normal in inflammation even with depleted stores. - **Serum iron** — circulating iron level; low in iron deficiency and anaemia of chronic disease; high in haemolysis and haemochromatosis. - **TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity)** — reflects transferrin capacity; elevated in iron deficiency, reduced in anaemia of chronic disease. - **Transferrin saturation** — serum iron / TIBC × 100; below 20% with elevated TIBC confirms iron deficiency; below 20% with normal or low TIBC suggests anaemia of chronic disease. *Vitamin co-factors:* - **Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)** — deficiency produces macrocytic (megaloblastic) anaemia and neurological effects (subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, peripheral neuropathy). Common in strict vegans, patients with pernicious anaemia (autoimmune B12 malabsorption), elderly, and long-term metformin or proton pump inhibitor users. - **Folate (folic acid)** — deficiency also causes macrocytic anaemia; particularly important in women of childbearing age (neural tube defect risk), patients on methotrexate or anticonvulsants. **When to consider this package:** Persistent fatigue disproportionate to lifestyle, pallor (especially conjunctival pallor), cold extremities, shortness of breath on mild exertion, headaches, hair loss or nail changes, restless leg syndrome (frequently iron-related), poor concentration or brain fog, pica (craving non-food substances — a sign of severe iron depletion), or a vegetarian/vegan diet without B12 supplementation. **Clinical interpretation:** The physician reviews the full picture to distinguish: - Iron deficiency (most common): low ferritin, low serum iron, high TIBC, low transferrin saturation - Iron deficiency anaemia: as above plus low Hb and microcytic MCV - Anaemia of chronic disease: low serum iron + normal/high ferritin + normal/low TIBC - Megaloblastic anaemia: macrocytic MCV + low B12 or folate - Haemolytic anaemia: high reticulocytes + low haptoglobin + elevated LDH (additional markers may be requested) Treatment options — oral iron supplementation, IV iron infusion, B12 injection, dietary adjustment — are discussed and coordinated from within the clinic.