Dealing with bloodwork, what does Gran% Ly% and Gran # Ly# mean?
Question:
I'm pregnant, my rbc/hgb/hct is low, but that's normal for me during pregnancy. (I am usually a bit anemic through-out, my body doesn't tolerate iron supplements, I vomit them back up immediately.)
Answers:
I'll try to make it easy to understand but bear in mind, hematology is a specialty unto itself.
This is part of a complete blood cell count with differential (CBC with diff). It breaks down the cellular components of blood into what percentages they appear in your blood. There are what we consider to be normal ranges for these components. "Ly" are lymphocytes, one type of white blood cell. Ly# is the number counted in your blood sample. It should fall within a normal range and is part of the CBC. Ly% is an estimate of the percentage of lymphocytes that make up the total number of white cells in your blood sample and this is part of the differential. And again, there is a normal range for this.
All white blood cells are involved in fighting infection. So, "Ly " is an abbreviation for lymphocytes, one type of white blood cell. "Gran" is an abbreviation for granulocyte, a type of white cell that includes basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils. They all have granules in the cell plasma and cyte means cell, hence the name "granulocyte".
I am unable to see your labs for myself. Although the numbers may be outside the normal range for a female and may reflect changes in your body due to your pregnancy, the variation may be insignificant. Labs are not always to be interpreted by and of themselves, they are part of a total picture. I suggest you try not to worry and wait for your OB/Gyn to return your call. This is the ONLY person you should be asking for interpretation of your labs. Take care.
Hi - Gran% and # means the percentage and number of granulocytes and Ly % and # means the percentage of leukocytes in your blood. Both of these are associated with the white blood cells and are used to fight infection. Someone with an infection will have a higher count of leukocytes and granulocytes. Hope this helps. BTW congratulations on your pregnancy.
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