Wintrobe Tube

  Wintrobe technique

The Wintrobe procedure is carried out identically, however the Wintrobe tube is only 100 mm long and has a smaller diameter than the Westergren tube. After one hour, the rate of red blood cell loss in millimetres is measured in the tube using EDTA anticoagulated blood that hasn’t been given any additional diluent. This method is less sensitive than the Westergren method since the greatest possible aberrant value is smaller due to the shorter column. This approach is more useful for demonstrations, though. Healthy males typically have values of around 15mm/hr; healthy females typically have values of around 20mm. Both genders’ values rise modestly as they get older.

  Wintrobe Tube Uses

In medical laboratories, the Wintrobe tube is typically used to assess the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR is a generalised marker of inflammatory activity in the body. The Wintrobe tube allows blood samples to settle and separate into layers, with the plasma remaining on top and the red blood cells (erythrocytes) settling at the bottom. The ESR can be calculated by calculating the distance that the red blood cells have settled over a given amount of time. The Wintrobe tube has many uses outside ESR measurement, including: 1. Calculating hematocrit: Hematocrit is a measurement of the proportion of red blood cells in blood volume. By directly measuring the column of packed red blood cells, the Wintrobe tube can be used to measure the packed cell volume (PCV) or hematocrit. 2.Calculating haemoglobin levels: Using the Wintrobe tube, the haemoglobin levels can be calculated by measuring the hematocrit and knowing the mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells. 3.The Wintrobe tube can be used to study the sedimentation pattern of red blood cells and spot any irregularities, like rouleaux development (clumping of red blood cells), which could be an indication of a number of diseases or ailments. In haematology labs, the Wintrobe tube is a versatile instrument used for various assessments of red blood cells and inflammation.