COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT; CBC Test in Chennai

CBC Test in Chennai at Dr Lal PathLabs

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a common medical test frequently recommended by doctors. This test provides vital information about various cell types in the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The details from a CBC test can help doctors detect conditions like anemia, infections, and other disorders.

Whether you're feeling unusually tired, battling frequent infections, or monitoring an ongoing health condition, a CBC test in Chennai can be crucial for your healthcare journey

CBC Test Components Explained

Let's break down some of the key components of a CBC test:

• Haemoglobin (Hb): Measures the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.

• Packed Cell Volume (PCV): Also known as hematocrit, measures the volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Abnormal levels can indicate conditions like anemia or dehydration.

• Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count: Measures the number of red blood cells in a specific volume of blood.

• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): Measures the average volume of red blood cells.

• Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH): Measures the average amount of haemoglobin per red blood cell.

• Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): Measures the concentration of haemoglobin in red blood cells.

• Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures the variation in the size of red blood cells.

• Total Leucocyte Count (TLC): Also known as white blood cell count, measures the total number of white blood cells in a specific volume of blood.

• Differential Leukocyte Count (DLC): Breaks down the types of white blood cells present in the blood, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils.

• Platelet Count: Measures the number of platelets in the blood. Abnormal levels can indicate bleeding disorders or thrombocytosis.

• Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Monocytes, Basophils: These are different types of white blood cells, each with specific functions in the immune system.

• Blasts, Pro-Myelocytes, Myelocytes, Meta-Myelocytes, Bands, Prolymphocytes, and Atypical Cells: These cells are immature forms of white blood cells that may be present in the blood in certain conditions, such as leukemia or other bone marrow disorders.

• Nrbc S/100 WBC: Measures the number of nucleated red blood cells per 100 white blood cells. Elevated levels may indicate conditions like bone marrow failure or severe anemia.

• Corrected TLC and Absolute Leukocyte Count: Parameters used to adjust the white blood cell count based on the presence of nucleated red blood cells.

Who Needs a CBC Test?

The CBC test is often recommended for patients experiencing symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, fever, bruising, or weight loss. It is also commonly used for regular health check-ups, pre-surgery tests, or to monitor conditions such as anemia or infection.

When Should You Take the CBC Test in Chennai?

Certain symptoms may call for a CBC test:

Unexplained Fatigue or Weakness: Persistent tiredness or weakness, especially if not attributable to lack of sleep or physical exertion, may warrant a CBC test. Low levels of red blood cells (anemia) or other blood disorders can cause these symptoms.

Frequent Infections: Recurrent or persistent infections without an obvious cause or more severe than usual, may indicate a weakened immune system. A CBC test can help assess the white blood cell count, crucial for fighting infections.

Unexplained Weight Loss: Significant, unintentional weight loss without changes in diet or physical activity can be concerning and may indicate underlying health issues such as infections, inflammation, or certain cancers. A CBC test can help identify potential causes.

Bleeding or Bruising Easily: Frequent or excessive bruising, bleeding gums, or prolonged bleeding from minor cuts or injuries may suggest problems with blood clotting or platelet function. These issues can be evaluated through a CBC test, which includes platelet count.

Inflammation or Swelling: Persistent inflammation or swelling in various parts of the body may indicate underlying inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, autoimmune disorders, or infections. A CBC test can detect elevated white blood cell counts, indicative of inflammation or infection.

Fever: Persistent or recurrent fever, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, may signal an underlying infection, inflammatory condition, or blood disorder. A CBC test can provide valuable information about the body's immune response and overall health status.

A CBC test is a valuable diagnostic test that can help doctors investigate and monitor a wide range of health conditions, especially when patients present with symptoms suggestive of underlying medical issues. It plays a crucial role in identifying abnormalities in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, thereby aiding in the diagnosis and management of various diseases and disorders.

Decoding CBC Test Report

What do the values in a CBC report suggest?

The CBC test report provides detailed information about blood components, few of them are mentioned below:

Haemoglobin: This is the oxygen-carrying protein in RBCs. Lower than normal levels could indicate anemia, while higher levels could mean polycythemia.

• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): A low MCH level (hypochromic anemia) indicates lower hemoglobin content, while a high MCH level (hyperchromic anemia) indicates higher hemoglobin content.

• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): A low MCHC level (hypochromic anemia) indicates lower hemoglobin content, while a high MCHC level (hyperchromic anemia) indicates higher hemoglobin content.

• Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): High RDW indicates a wide variation in the size of the Red Blood Cells. This variation may be sign of several conditions, like iron deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia etc.