Glossary beginning with H

H

Haemaglobin

The red pigment in red blood cells their color. It functions to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The normal range for hemoglobin is 13 to 18 gm/dL for males and 11.5-16.5 gm/dL for females.

Haematocrit

The hematocrit measures how much space in the blood is occupied by red blood cells. It is useful when evaluating a person for anemia. The normal range for hematocrit is 40.0% to 52.0%.

Haematopoiesis

A continuous process of blood cell development from stem cells in the marrow. Stem cells differentiate into immature blood cells of various types. The immature blood cells develop into mature fully functional blood cells which enter the blood and circulate throughout the body. Most blood cells live for short periods and must be steadily replaced. Red cells die within four months, platelets within 10 days and most neutrophils in one to three days. About 100 billion blood cells are made each day.

HGB

Abbreviation for haemaglobin.

HLA

(Human Leukocyte Antigens) Typing - A blood test that determines a person's compatability for purposes of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant based on the types of antigens present.

Hydroxycarbamide

A chemotherapy drug often used in newly diagnosed CML for an initial very short period before the start of TKI therapy in order to reduce high white cell counts; it does not have any cytogenetic effect on the disease.

Hypercellular

In CML, refers to the fact that there is an overabundance of certain kinds of cells in the bone marrow. Hypercellular marrow is particularly common at diagnosis and early in the course of IM treatment in CML patients.

Hypocellular

In CML, refers to the fact that there is an decreased number of certain kinds of cells in the bone marrow. Hypocellular marrow is particularly common with continued IM treatment in CML patients.

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