Home > CBC

Overview
What does it measure?
How is it performed?
Side effects of CBC?
What the results may indicate?

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test:

It is the most commonly ordered blood test and is used to

Evaluate Overall Health

Screen for a variety of disorders e.g. anemia, infection etc.

Check the bone marrow and spleen functioning

Monitor an existing condition e.g. blood disorders.

Monitor treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy

What does CBC Test Measure?

Complete blood count (CBC) test measures several components of the blood, including:

White Blood Cells (WBCs) count:
The total number of white blood cells in a sample of blood.
White Blood Cell Differential:
There are five different types of white blood cells, also called leukocytes. They areneutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. This test measures how many of each type the blood has. The numbers of each type may temporarily shift higher or lower in cases such as:
An infection can stimulate the body to produce a higher number of neutrophils to fight off bacterial infection.
In the case of allergies, there may be an increased number of eosinophils.
An increased number of lymphocytes may be produced with a viral infection.
Red Blood Cell (RBCs) count:
The actual number of red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, in a sample of blood. Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream as they mature. The bone marrow continually produces new RBCs to replace those that age and disintegrate or are lost through bleeding.
Haemoglobin:
The total amount of the oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.
Hematocrit:
The percentage of a person's total blood volume that consists of red blood cells.
Red Blood Cell indices:
Calculations that provide information on the physical characteristics of the RBCs:
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): Measurement of the average size of a single red blood cell.
Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH): A calculation of the average amount of hoemoglobin inside a single red blood cell.
Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC): A calculation of the average concentration of hemoglobin inside a single red blood cell.
Red cell distribution width (RDW): A calculation of the variation in the size of RBCs.
Reticulocyte count:
A measurement of the absolute count or percentage of young red blood cells in the blood.
Platelet count:
The number of platelets, also called thrombocytes, in a person's sample of blood. Platelets are special cell fragments that play an important role in normal blood clotting.
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV):
Mean platelet volume measures the average amount (volume) of platelets. If the platelet count is normal, the mean platelet volume can still be too high or too low.

How is CBC Test Performed?

A healthcare professional will draw a blood sample from a vein in the arm or a finger-prick or heel-prick (newborns).

CBC Tests / Packages

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Are there any Side Effects of CBC?

CBC test does not usually cause any side effects. Side effects that may happen include:

Discomfort

Bleeding

Bruising

Swelling

Infection

What may the CBC Results Indicate?

A CBC is not a definitive diagnostic test. Blood cell counts that are too high or too low could signal a wide variety of conditions. Specialised tests are needed to diagnose a specific condition.

Anaemia

Leukocytosis

Thrombocytosis

White Blood Cells

Leukopenia

Thrombocytopenia

Red Blood Cells

Platelets

Anaemia
Not having enough healthy Red Blood Cells, Haemoglobin and Hematocrit. Anaemia causes fatigue, weakness and has many causes, including low levels of certain vitamins or iron, blood loss, or an underlying condition.
Leukopenia
A low number of White Blood Cells. It is caused by a medical condition, such as an autoimmune disorder that destroys white blood cells, bone marrow problems or cancer. Certain medications also can cause white blood cell counts to drop.
Leukocytosis
An increased number of White Blood Cells. It may be due to an infection or inflammation or due to a reaction to medication.
Thrombocytopenia
A low number of platelets. Often a sign of an underlying medical condition or a side effect from medication.
Thrombocytosis
An increased number of platelets. Often a sign of an underlying medical condition or a side effect from medication.

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