CBC Blood Test
The most common blood evaluation test ordered is the CBC blood test. The test helps to measure the concentration of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. The following article will help explain what is complete blood count test.
What is a CBC Blood Test?
The blood contains three types of cell like the leukocytes, erythrocytes and thrombocytes. When an abnormally high or low blood counts is encountered, it helps in indicating different diseases. Thus, blood count is routinely performed to help understand the different infection a patient might be suffering from. This is a routine test that is performed during all physical examinations. You can read more on ESR blood test.
Uses of CBC Blood Test
The test is performed to measure the following blood components:
- The number of RBCs
- The number of WBCs
- Hemoglobin levels in blood
- Number of red blood cells making up the volume of whole blood
Test Results Explained
The test covers a number of parameters that help the doctors diagnose various infections or diseases. The complete blood count results explained in the following paragraphs will help you understand the test better.
White Blood Cell Count
The white blood cell count or WBC count is the most important parameter to spot an infection. WBC count also helps in detection of certain types of leukemia or blood cancer. When there is low WBC count, it indicates bone marrow disease or an enlarged spleen. HIV patients also have low white blood cell counts in some cases. High WBC count indicates infection, inflammation, stress, etc. in the body.
Red Blood Cell Count
The red blood cell count or RBC count consists of test that includes mean red cell volume (Mean Corpuscular Value), hematocrit and hemoglobin (Hgh) test. MCV measurements help in detection of anemia, that is seen when there is low red blood cell count in the body. Low hematocrit range or low hemoglobin count also indicates failure of bone marrow to produce blood, internal destruction of blood cells, etc. High hemoglobin levels indicate excessive blood cell production by bone marrow, a patient living at high altitudes or lung diseases.
Platelet Count
The platelets are very important cells that help in clotting of blood and prevention of hemorrhage. These platelets clump together and plug the damaged blood vessel forming blood clots. When the platelet count (PLT) is too low, it indicates that the patient is on risk of developing bleeding in any part of the body. Low platelet count also occurs due to premature destruction states like acute blood loss, side effects of drugs like heparin, infection with sepsis, Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), enlarged spleen, bone marrow failure due to myelofibrosis or leukemia. Y
Normal Result Value for CBC Blood Test
The normal results of complete blood count may vary from individual to individual. It may even vary in different laboratories. It is always best to speak to your doctor for the correct interpretation of the CBC blood test.
- RBC Count: Male: 4.7 to 6.1 million cells/mcL
Female: 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL - WBC Count: 4, 500 to 10, 000 cells/mcL
- Hematocrit: Male: 40.7 to 50.3 %
Female: 36.1 to 44.3 % - Hemoglobin: Male: 13.8 to 17.2 gm/dL
Female: 12.1 to 15.1 gm/dL - MCV: 80 to 95 femtoliter
- MCH: 27 to 31 pg/cell
- MCHC: 32 to 36 gm/dL
Key: cells/mcL = cells per microliter; gm/dL = grams per deciliter; pg/cell = picograms per cell.
The CBC blood test cost is about 25 to 50 USD depending upon the laboratory you choose for testing your blood sample. This was a bit in short about the complete blood count conducted during a routine physical examination. This test is very useful in detection of any kind of infection, blood cancer, stress, anemia, deficiency of nutrients, inflammatory disease, bone marrow failure, autoimmune diseases, emotional or physical stress, malnutrition, hemolysis, multiple myeloma, hemorrhage, etc
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