Complete

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a fundamental blood test that is frequently ordered by physicians to assess a patient's overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection, and many other diseases. The CBC measures several components and features of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.

Components of CBC

Red Blood Cells (RBC)

Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs for exhalation. The CBC measures the number of red blood cells in a given volume of blood, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions like anemia.

• Hemoglobin (Hgb): This is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low levels can indicate anemia.
• Hematocrit (Hct): This measures the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells. It is expressed as a percentage.

White Blood Cells (WBC)

White blood cells are part of the body's immune system and help fight infections. The CBC measures the total number of white blood cells in the blood.

• Differential Count: This part of the CBC provides the percentages of different types of white blood cells, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

Platelets

Platelets are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting. The CBC measures the number of platelets in the blood, which is important for diagnosing bleeding disorders.

Indications for CBC

A CBC is often ordered as part of a routine health examination. It can also be used to:

• Diagnose a medical condition if you have symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, fever, inflammation, bruising, or bleeding.
• Monitor a medical condition if you have been diagnosed with a blood disorder or other condition that affects blood cell counts.
• Monitor medical treatment if you are receiving treatment that affects blood cell counts, such as chemotherapy.

Interpretation of Results

Interpreting CBC results requires understanding the normal ranges for each component, which can vary based on age, sex, and other factors. Abnormal results may indicate a variety of conditions:

• Low RBC, hemoglobin, or hematocrit may suggest anemia.
• High WBC count may indicate an infection or inflammation.
• Low platelet count may suggest a bleeding disorder.

Related Tests

Other tests that may be ordered alongside or following a CBC include:

• Blood smear: A test that examines the appearance of blood cells under a microscope.
• Reticulocyte count: Measures the number of young red blood cells in the blood.
• Bone marrow biopsy: May be performed if there are abnormalities in the blood cells.

Conclusion

The Complete Blood Count is a versatile and essential tool in modern medicine, providing critical information about a patient's health status. It is a starting point for diagnosing many conditions and monitoring the effectiveness of treatments.

References

• "Complete Blood Count (CBC)." Mayo Clinic, [1].
• "Understanding Your Complete Blood Count (CBC)." American Society of Hematology, [2].