Complete Blood Count (CBC with diff./platelet)
Complete Blood Count
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures:
•White blood cell count.
•White blood cell differential.
•Red blood cell count.
•Red blood cell density.
•Blood platelet count.
A CBC is a great test to take to give you a “snapshot” of your health. This test gives important information about the kind and the number of cells in your blood. Physicians use this information to evaluate symptoms, help diagnose conditions and treat certain illnesses (like infections).
Why Do I Need It?:
Knowing your CBC can provide you and your doctor with vital health information. You should consider taking a CBC if you:
•Think you have an infection.
•Experience difficulty recovering from infection or injury.
•Experience excessive bleeding or blood clot formation.
Having a CBC is also a good idea if you have a personal or family history of inflammation, bruising, blood disorders or leukemia.
For diagnosis or treatment options, show your test results to a physician.
Normal ranges can depend on sex and age. Below are the ranges for a healthy adult.
Red Blood Cells: 4.2‐6.9 million cells
White Blood Cells: 4,300‐10,800 cells
Platelet Count: 150,000‐350,000 platelets
Hematocrit Male: 45‐62%, Female: 37‐48%
Hemoglobin Male: 13‐18 gm/dL, Female: 12‐16 gm/dL
High Results Indicate:
RED BLOOD CELLS: The clinical term for high red blood cells is polycythaemia. When the red blood cell count is elevated, the blood’s thickness is increased. This causes reduced blood flow and in some cases blood clots.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS: The clinical term for high white blood cells is leukocytosis. When the white blood cell count is elevated, it is an indication of infection. White blood cells, called leukocytes, fight diseases and infections in the body.
PLATELETS: The clinical term for high platelet counts is thrombocytosis. Having an elevated level of platelets does not always indicate a medical problem. Platelets can be elevated due to a secondary disease or disorder such as an inflammatory disease.
HEMATOCRIT: Elevated hematocrit levels are seen in people living in high altitudes, chronic smokers, and in cases of dehydration.
HEMOGLOBIN: Elevated hemoglobin levels are seen with several conditions, the most common being dehydration.
Low Results Indicate:
RED BLOOD CELLS: Low red blood cell counts are caused by blood loss, either chronic or acute. Acute blood loss is usually from an injury, trauma or surgery. Chronic blood loss is most commonly from small amounts of blood lost over a period of time.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS: The clinical term for a low white blood cell count is leucopenia. This can result from chemotherapy, radiation or immune system diseases.
PLATELETS: Low platelet counts can cause abnormal and excessive bleeding.
HEMATOCRIT: Low hematocrit levels can indicate anemia. Anemia can be caused by blood loss or a secondary disease or disorder.
HEMOGLOBIN: Low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia as well as other conditions such as excessive bleeding, cancers affecting the bone marrow and kidney disease.
What Type of Physician Should You See?
Contact a general physician if your results are abnormal. A physician will determine if you need to see a hematologist.