Complete blood count (CBC) Test

 What is the complete blood count (CBC) TEST?

1.      A complete blood count (CBC) is a test that counts the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that make up your blood. A CBC may be ordered by your doctor as part of a normal checkup or to:

2.      Check your blood for anemia, a condition in which you have fewer red blood cells than usual.

3.      Find out if you have a different medical issue or how to explain symptoms like weakness, fever, bruises, or tiredness.

4.      Keep an eye out for blood disorders.

5.      Examine the effects of drugs, medical complications, and therapies such as chemotherapy on your blood.

How is it tested?

You can eat and drink normally if the CBC is the only blood test you're getting.

Your part of the test is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. A nurse or in Karachi, Agha Khan lab test laboratory in Karachi will collect a sample of blood by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. You can then leave and return to your normal schedule. The blood will be sent to a laboratory for testing.

What Does a CBC Test Measure?

The test can provide your doctor with a wealth of information about your overall health. It examines:

1.      White blood cells (WBCs). These aid in the battle against germs in your body. It could be an indication of inflammation, infection, a medical reaction, or another health condition if you have a lot of them. If it's low, you can be more likely to get sick. A low count could be caused by a medicine, a viral infection, or a bone marrow disease.

2.      Red blood cells (RBC). These are the blood vessels that carry blood oxygen throughout your body. And they also help in carrying carbon dioxide too. You could have anemia or another illness if your RBC count is too low.

3.      Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb). This is the oxygen-holding protein in your blood.

4.      Hematocrit (HCT).  This test determines the percentage of red blood cells in your blood. A low score could indicate a lack of iron, a mineral that aids in the formation of red blood cells in the body. A high score could indicate that you're dehydrated or suffering from another ailment.

5.      Mean corpuscular volume (MCV).This is the size of your red blood cells on average. Your MCV will be higher if they're larger than usual. If your vitamin B12 or folate levels are low, this could happen. You may have a kind of anemia if your red blood cells are smaller.

6.      Platelets. These help in blood clotting.

CBC Results

You'll notice two columns in your report: a "reference range" and your results. Your results are considered normal if they fall within the reference range. Your results are abnormal if they are higher or lower than the reference range. One of the most prevalent causes your results might be off is mild anemia.

 Each of the best labs tests your blood differently. As a result, the reference range will be determined by the laboratory that performs your blood tests. It's also dependent on factors that can affect your blood, such as your age, sex, and elevation above sea level.

The following are the reference ranges in general:

1.      White blood cells range from 4,500 to 11,000 cells per microliter (cells/mcL).

2.      Men's red blood cells: 4.5 million to 5.9 million cells/mcL; women's red blood cells: 4.1 million to 5.1 million cells/mcL

3.      Men's hemoglobin levels range from 14 to 17.5 grams per deciliter (gm/dL); women's levels range from 12.3 to 15.3 gm/dL.

4.      Men's hematocrit ranges from 41.5 to 50.4 percent; women's hematocrit ranges from 35.9% to 44.6 percent.

5.      Mean corpuscular volume ranges from 80 to 96 mL.

6.      Platelets: 150,000–450,000 platelets per microliter

What Else Could My CBC Tell?

To determine whether you have an illness or a blood condition, your doctor may prescribe additional tests, such as:

1.      Mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH). This test determines the amount of hemoglobin in a typical red blood cell.

2.      Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). This test determines the amount of hemoglobin in a sample of blood.

3.      Red cell distribution width (RDW). The percentage shows the size variation of your red blood cells.

4.      Reticulocytes count. The number of new red blood cells in your body is determined by this test.

5.      Mean Platelet Volume (MPV). The average size of platelets in your blood is determined by this result.

6.      Platelet distribution width (PDW). This percentage depicts how your platelets differ in size.