Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• Test Name: Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Test Type: Hematology panel
• Specimen Required: Blood sample (typically venous)
• Methodology: Automated haematology analyzer; includes flow cytometry, light scattering, and electrical impedance methods.
• Purpose: Provides detailed information about the different components of blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, haemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.

• Diagnosis: Helps diagnose a variety of conditions such as anaemia, infections, inflammation, bleeding disorders, and haematological diseases like leukaemia.
• Monitoring: Monitors the effects of treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, on blood cells.
• Health Screening: Used as a routine screening test to assess overall health and detect potential abnormalities in the blood.
• Preoperative Assessment: Part of the preoperative workup is to ensure a patient’s blood levels are normal before surgery.

Components:

• Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count: Measures the number of red blood cells in a specific volume of blood.
• White Blood Cell (WBC) Count: Measures the total number of white blood cells.
• Haemoglobin (Hgb): Measures the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
• Hematocrit (Hct): Measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood.
• Platelet Count: Measures the number of platelets, which are important for blood clotting.
• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): Measures the average size of red blood cells.
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): Measures the average amount of haemoglobin in a red blood cell.
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): Measures the concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red blood cells.
• Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures the variation in the size of red blood cells.
• Differential White Blood Cell Count: Measures the percentage of different types of white blood cells (e.g., neutrophils, lymphocytes).

• Normal Findings: Values within established reference ranges indicate normal levels of blood components.
• Anaemia: Low RBC count, haemoglobin, and hematocrit may indicate anaemia, which could result from various causes including nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, or bone marrow disorders.
• Infection or Inflammation: An elevated WBC count may indicate an infection or inflammatory process, while a low WBC count may suggest a weakened immune system.
• Bleeding Disorders: Abnormal platelet count (either high or low) could indicate a bleeding or clotting disorder.
• Further Evaluation: Abnormalities in the CBC often require further investigation to identify the underlying cause, which could include additional tests or diagnostic procedures.

• Qualitative and Quantitative: Provides both quantitative measurements (e.g., cell counts) and qualitative assessments (e.g., cell morphology if a manual differential is performed).
• Interpretation: Results are interpreted based on age, sex, and specific reference ranges, with consideration of the patient's clinical context.
• Report: The report includes detailed counts and percentages of various blood components, with flagged values if they are outside the normal range.
• Turnaround Time: Results are typically available within a few hours to one day, depending on the urgency and laboratory processing time.

Q. What is a Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test?
The CBC test is a blood test that measures various components of your blood, including red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets
 

Q. Why is a CBC Test ordered?
A CBC test is ordered to evaluate your overall health, diagnose a range of conditions like anemia, infections, and blood disorders, and monitor the effectiveness of treatments
 

Q. How is the CBC Test performed?
A blood sample is taken, usually from a vein in your arm, and analyzed in a laboratory using an automated haematology analyzer
 

Q. What do low hemoglobin levels in a CBC Test indicate?
Low hemoglobin levels may indicate anemia, which could result from various factors such as nutritional deficiencies, chronic disease, or bone marrow issues
 

Q. What should I do if my CBC results are abnormal?
If your CBC results are abnormal, your healthcare provider may recommend further tests or refer you to a specialist to identify the cause and appropriate treatment
 

Q. Is fasting required before a CBC Test?
No fasting is usually required before a CBC test, but your healthcare provider will inform you if any special preparation is needed
 

Q. How soon can I get the results of my CBC Test?
Results are typically available within a few hours to a day, depending on the laboratory and whether the test is part of an urgent evaluation