Complete blood count or CBC is a popular test that can help in identifying a wide range of illnesses. It helps track a person's recovery following accidents, operations, or other medical issues.
What Is CBC?
A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that provides details about your blood and general health to your healthcare professional. CBCs help medical professionals in the diagnosis, surveillance, and screening of numerous illnesses, disorders, and infections. Your blood cells are measured and counted by a CBC test. Your doctor draws blood from you and sends it to a lab for analysis. Your blood cells are examined by the lab using a number of procedures. These tests assist your doctor in keeping track of your health.
When Does A CBC Take Place?
A CBC blood test is necessary if you experience signs like the following:
- Bleeding or bruising
- Weakness, vertigo, or exhaustion
- Vomiting, nausea and fever
- Swelling and inflammation anywhere on the body
- Painful joints
- Issues with blood pressure or heart rate
What Does CBC Test Measure?
Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are the three main blood cell types that are measured by CBCs. A CBC informs your healthcare provider with the following information:
- How many new blood cells are being produced by your body.
- Number of platelets, white blood cells (WBC), and red blood cells (RBC or erythrocytes).
- Dimensions and form of blood cells.
What Diseases Can A CBC Diagnose?
Several different ailments, disorders, diseases, and infections can be identified by your doctor using a CBC blood test, including:
- Anemia (when the body doesn't have enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen).
- Diseases of the bone marrow, like myelodysplastic syndromes.
- Diseases like sickle cell anemia, thalassemias, and agranulocytosis.
- Infections or other issues that can result in abnormally high or low white blood cell counts.
- Several cancers, including lymphoma and leukemia.
- Side effects of certain prescription drugs and chemotherapy.
- Mineral and vitamin deficiencies.
How A CBC Is Performed?
To get ready for a CBC, there is nothing you need to do. Your doctor cleans your arm before sticking a needle in it. Although the needle may sting or pinch somewhat, it shouldn't be painful. Typically, healthcare professionals will place the needle into an infant's heel. Your healthcare professional draws a sample of your blood through the needle, collecting it in a tube. Your doctor may draw blood from more than one tube on occasion.
What Are the Total Blood Count's Typical Ranges?
Normal CBC test results are as follows:
Normal range for hemoglobin:
- Male (15+ years old): 13.0–17.0 g/dL
- Female (over 15 years old): 11.5–15.5 g/dL
Normal range of the typical hematocrit:
- Male: 40 – 55%
- Feminine: 36 to 48%
Normal range of a platelet count:
- 150,000 to 400,000/mL for adults
Normal white blood cell (WBC) range:
- 5,000–10,000/mL for adults
A complete blood count is used by medical professionals to treat illness and keep you healthy. CBCs can help screen for hundreds of diseases, conditions and infections with just one blood sample. A CBC can identify diseases early, sometimes before you even experience symptoms, allowing for the earliest possible start to treatment. CBCs are a crucial tool for preserving general health.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
