Clinic Services | Testing Methods

Hemaview Live Blood Analysis

Hemaview is a form of live blood screening, using only one or two drops of blood and observing this sample with a darkfield microscope. Hemaview allows the Naturopath to gather “inside” information about the client’s condition. The client can observe with the Naturopath the size, shape, and ratios of red and white cells and platelets.

Observing live blood may be one of the most important parts of a comprehensive consultation. “A picture tells a thousand words”; many pathological processes alter the composition and properties of the blood. Shifts toward or away from homeostasis may be first observed in the blood, often before changes in symptoms are obvious.

Observations during Hemaview live blood analysis may include:

Erythrocytes (RBC’s) the most important role of red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body and to transport carbon dioxide from cells of the body back to the lungs. Nutritional deficiencies, genetic variations, and oxidative stress can damage cell membranes and also reduce the ability of the RBC to perform its function. Hemoglobin occupies about a third of the RBC.

Neutrophils (WBC’s) are the most prevalent white blood cells in the blood. Neutrophil blood pool turnover is 2 3 times a day, i.e. they are in the peripheral blood for about 10 hours at a time. Bone marrow only has 11 days supply of neutrophils. An increase in 2 lobed neutrophils may indicate a response to infection. An increase in multiple-lobed neutrophils may indicate an increased uptake of iron, zinc and amino acids from the plasma.

Eosinophils may account for up to 4% of WBC’s. Eosinophils are attracted to areas of inflammation, to prevent the excessive spread of inflammation and suppress inflammatory tissue reactions. Eosinophils increase in number during allergic reactions and parasitic infections, but typically are in the blood only a few hours before moving into the body tissues. Active eosinophils may indicate an ongoing immune challenge.

Basophils are the rarest form of WBC’s in the blood. The granules of basophils contain substances including histamine and heparin. Basophils are attracted to areas of inflammation, and also produce other inflammatory mediators that trigger local edema and attract eosinophils and neutrophils into the affected area to help remove antigens. Basophil degranulation causes vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, smooth muscle spasm and can result in anaphylactic shock.

Lymphocytes are the second most prevalent WBC in the blood and have a key role in defense against micro-organisms. The blood contains several different types of lymphocytes which are not always easy to identify using Hemaview. Lymphocytes have several roles in immune defense:

1. Activate other cells in the immune system,
2. Involved in cell-mediated immunity, and
3. Differentiate into cells that produce anti-bodies.

Monocytes have an important role in immune defense by presenting antigens to and activating lymphocytes in acute infection, allergy, autoimmunity etc.. They act as killer cells and phagocytize antigens and cells. Monocytes actually engulf larger and greater quantities of foreign material than neutrophils do. Monocytes synthesize compounds including transferrin, interferon and growth factors, and develop into macrophages to clean up areas of tissue damage and inflammation.

Platelet activation megakaryocytes mature in the bone marrow for approximately 5 days and one megakaryocyte produces between 1000 and 2000 platelets. Platelets are released into the spleen where they remain for 2 days before entering the circulation. 2/3 of platelets are in the circulation while 1/3 are pooled in the spleen, but there is free exchange of platelets between these two sets. Activated platelets release substances that help to stop blood flow.

Acute Phase Proteins (APP’s) are produced by the liver in early phases of infection and are involved in early immune defense. The Acute Phase Response (APR) is a normal component of immunity in response to foreign material, pathogens and tissue injury. It is expected that increased intestinal permeability may increase signs of APR. Erythrocyte aggregation is related to APR, as measured by ESR, hs-CRP and fibrinogen plasma concentrations.

Changes in blood may assist to identify the effects of lifestyle and environmental conditions on your body and screen for a number of risk factors that may be affecting your blood, including toxins, high fat diets, poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol and stress. Hemaview assists you and your Naturopath to make nutritional and lifestyle changes to improve your health.

Seeing is believing!