Complete Blood Count

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The complete blood count (CBC) is often used as a broad screening test to determine an individual's general health status. It can be used to: Screen for a wide range of conditions and diseases Help diagnose various conditions, such as

anemia, infection, inflammation, bleeding disorder or leukemia Monitor the condition and/or effectiveness of treatment after a diagnosis is established Monitor treatment that is known to affect blood cells, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy

A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:
The number of red blood cells (RBC count) The number of white blood cells (WBC count) The total amount of hemoglobin in the blood The fraction of the blood composed of red blood cells (hematocrit)
Evaluation of White Blood Cells

CBC includes the evaluation of white blood cells, the cells that are part of the body's defense system against infections and cancer and also play a role in allergies and inflammation: White blood cell (WBC) count
a count of the total number of white blood cells in a person's sample of blood.
Evaluation of White Blood Cells

White blood cell differential
may or may not be included as part of the panel of tests identifies and counts the number of the various types of white blood cells present (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils)
Evaluation of Red Blood Cells

CBC also includes evaluation of red blood cells, the cells that transport oxygen throughout the body: Red blood cell (RBC) count
a count of the actual number of red blood cells in a person's sample of blood.

Hemoglobin
measures the amount of the oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.
Hematocrit
measures the percentage of a person's blood that consists of red blood cells.

Red blood cell indices are calculations that provide information on the physical characteristics of the RBCs: Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
a measurement of the average size of RBCs
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)

a calculation of the average amount of oxygencarrying hemoglobin inside a red blood cell

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
a calculation of the average percentage of hemoglobin inside a red cell.
Red cell distribution width (RDW)

may be included in a CBC 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 blood may or may not be included in CBC
Evaluation of Platelets
CBC also includes evaluation of platelets, cell fragments that are vital for normal blood clotting: The platelet count
the number of platelets in a person's sample of blood.
Evaluation of Platelets
Mean platelet volume (MPV)
a calculation of the average size of platelet
Platelet distribution width (PDW)

may also be reported with a CBC is a measurement of the variation of platelet size.
Normal Values of CBC Parameters
A high RBC or hematocrit may be due to:

Dehydration (such as from severe diarrhea) Kidney disease with high erythropoietin production Low oxygen level in the blood for a long time due to heart or lung disease Polycythemia vera Smoking
A low RBC or hematacrit is a sign of anemia, which can result from:

Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis Blood loss (hemorrhage) Bone marrow failure (for example, from radiation, infection, or tumor)
A low RBC or hematacrit is a sign of anemia, which can result from:

Chronic kidney disease Hemolysis (red blood cell destruction) Leukemia and other blood cancers Long-term infections such as hepatitis Poor diet and nutrition, causing too little iron, folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin B6
A decreased WBC count or leukopenia may be due to:

Autoimmune diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus) Bone marrow failure (for example, due to infection, tumor, radiation, or fibrosis) Disease of the liver or spleen
High numbers of WBCs or leukocytosis can result from:

Infectious diseases Inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergy) Leukemia Severe emotional or physical stress Tissue damage (such as burns)
Low hemoglobin values may be due to:

Anemia (various types) Blood loss

Complete Blood Count

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Complete Blood Count (CBC)