Rods are defense cells present in the immune system, which are released by the bone marrow and can be increased in cases of infections and acute inflammations, such as heart attack, burns or stress.
Low values in the blood of rods, also known as rods, may indicate autoimmune diseases, reactions to some medications or treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, for example.
Therefore, it is important that the blood test is always evaluated by a doctor, to assess the person’s general health status, thus making the appropriate diagnosis and indicating the most appropriate treatment, if necessary.
What does the result mean
The rods can be checked through a leukogram, a blood test that assesses the number of cells responsible for the body’s defense.
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Increased levels of rods in the blood can be caused by the body’s attempt to fight infections and acute inflammations, and is therefore common in situations such as:
- Diabetes;
- Mental stress;
- Heart attack;
- Injuries, such as burns and fractures;
- Inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or rheumatoid arthritis, for example.
Furthermore, high levels of rods in the blood can also be found in people who practice excessive physical exercise.
2. Low rods
Low levels of rods in the blood are related to insufficient production of rods by the bone marrow and may be present in situations such as:
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments;
- Use of medications, such as corticosteroids, lithium and bronchodilators;
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease;
- Infections, such as hepatitis, sepsis, HIV, and Lyme disease.
In addition, deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate or copper can also cause a decrease in blood rod values.
Normal rod values
Normal rod values vary depending on the person’s age. In men and women, the appropriate rod value is between 0 and 800 ml/µL. In children aged 6 months to 6 years, normal rod levels are up to 300 ml/µL. In children over 13 years of age, normal values range from 0 to 1000 ml/µL of rods in the blood.
In case of changes in rod values, it is recommended to consult a doctor to investigate the possible causes of these changes, thus helping to diagnose possible diseases and recommend the most appropriate treatment, when necessary.
How to know if the result is normal
To find out if your rod levels are normal, enter your test results into the calculator below:
Difference Between Rod and Segmented Neutrophils
Segmented, or segmented neutrophils, are mature neutrophils, which are cells present in the immune system that help fight infections and inflammation.
Rods are still young neutrophils, but they also act in the immune system, helping to fight mainly infections and acute inflammations, in addition to resulting in the formation of segmented, or mature, neutrophils.
Bibliography
- NATIONAL QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM. Normal blood count values. 2012. Available at: <http://www.pncq.org.br/uploads/2012/06/valores_normal_hemograma.pdf>. Accessed on Aug 22, 2022
- HINRICHSEN, Sylvia Lemos. Causes of: differential diagnosis. 1 ed. Rio de Janeiro: Medbook, 2014. 328-330; 331-333.
- AROSA, Ferdinand A.; CARDOSO, Elsa M.; PACHECO, Francisco C. Fundamentals of Immunology. 2 ed. Lisbon: LIDEL, 2012. 37.
- HOFFBRAND, A. V.; MOSS, P. A. H. Fundamentals in Hematology. 6 ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2013. 110-111.
