Complete Blood Count (CBC) $25.00
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The Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets assessment encompasses 1 test detailing 33 key biomarkers.
Overview
Commonly referred to as the CBC test, the Complete Blood Count is a standard laboratory procedure that sheds light on a patient’s general well-being and can pinpoint potential blood-related discrepancies or ailments. This test delves into the three fundamental blood constituents: red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Through assessing a range of metrics tied to these cells, the CBC offers critical data beneficial for diagnostic, surveillance, and therapeutic strategies.
Alternate Names
CBC test, Complete Blood Count test, Total Blood Examination, CBC with Differential and Platelets, Hematological Profile
Procedure
Blood Sample
Sample Category
Whole Blood
Before the Test
No specific preparations needed.
When should a Complete Blood Count test be considered?
A CBC test is recommended in a variety of scenarios:
Regular Medical Reviews
As a part of standard health evaluations, physicians frequently incorporate a CBC test to examine overall health and detect any potential blood-related issues.
Symptom Investigation
If a patient displays symptoms like fatigue, weakness, recurrent infections, unexplained bruising, or abnormal bleeding, the CBC test serves as a tool to determine possible underlying causes or irregularities.
Ongoing Condition Oversight
For individuals with persistent issues such as anemia, infections, autoimmune diseases, or hematological disorders, periodic CBC tests are essential to oversee the status of their health, assess the impact of treatments, and make necessary therapeutic adjustments.
Before Surgical Interventions
In the lead-up to surgeries or other invasive medical procedures, a CBC test is routinely conducted to check a patient’s blood cell levels and ascertain their readiness for the procedure.
What is assessed in a Complete Blood Count test?
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a diagnostic tool that evaluates the cellular composition of the blood. Circulating in plasma, a liquid medium, are three primary cell types: Red Blood Cells (RBCs), White Blood Cells (WBCs), and Platelets (PLTs).
Typically, these cells are generated and matured in the bone marrow, from where they’re introduced into the bloodstream based on the body’s requirements.
Modern CBC assessments primarily utilize automated instruments that gauge various cell characteristics, counting the number of each cell type in a given blood sample. Beyond quantity, these machines also shed light on certain attributes of the cells, such as their size and physical features.
Any deviation in the typical count or attributes of these cells can be indicative of various medical conditions. To pinpoint the cause behind abnormal results, supplementary tests might be needed. Often, a blood smear viewed under a microscope is essential. Professional lab technicians can evaluate and describe unique features of the blood cells, such as color, shape, and size, and identify irregularities. Such insights are then relayed to the attending physician, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the observed abnormalities in the CBC.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the CBC components:
WBCs (White Blood Cells)
WBCs, or leukocytes, are the body’s primary defense mechanism, responsible for warding off infections and other threats. There are five distinct categories of WBCs: eosinophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes. Typically, they’re present in consistent proportions within the blood, but these can fluctuate in response to bodily events. For instance, bacterial infections might spur increased neutrophil production, while allergies might hike eosinophil counts. Viral infections can lead to higher lymphocyte numbers. Diseases like leukemia can cause a spike in WBC count due to rapid proliferation of abnormal cells.
RBCs (Red Blood Cells)
RBCs, or erythrocytes, mature in the bone marrow and are then released into the bloodstream. They house hemoglobin, a protein vital for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Given their approximate 120-day lifespan, the bone marrow consistently produces new RBCs, compensating for older or lost cells. Conditions causing excessive bleeding or impacting RBC production can influence their count and lifespan.
The CBC gauges RBC count, hemoglobin levels, and the volume of RBCs in the blood (hematocrit). It also comments on the general appearance of the RBC population. While RBCs typically exhibit minor variations in shape and size, considerable discrepancies can occur in diseases such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and other disorders. Reduced RBC or hemoglobin levels result in anemia, presenting symptoms like fatigue. Conversely, a condition called polycythemia arises from an overproduction of RBCs, potentially hindering blood flow in minute blood vessels.
Platelets
Platelets or thrombocytes play a pivotal role in blood coagulation. Insufficient platelet count can lead to prolonged bleeding and frequent bruising. Conversely, an abundance of platelets, if dysfunctional, might cause either unwarranted clotting or excessive bleeding. The CBC evaluates both platelet count and their size.
Lab Tests Commonly Paired with a Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test:
- Reticulocytes: Measures the number of young red blood cells to evaluate bone marrow’s efficiency in producing red blood cells.
- Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity: Assesses iron levels and the blood’s ability to bind iron, aiding in diagnosing iron-deficiency anemia or iron overload conditions.
- Basic Metabolic Panel: A group of tests that measures kidney function, blood sugar, and electrolytes, providing a snapshot of your body’s chemical balance.
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Includes all tests in the Basic Metabolic Panel and several additional ones to provide a broader picture of liver function, protein levels, and more.
- Lipid Panel: Evaluates fats in the bloodstream, like cholesterol, which is critical for assessing cardiovascular risks.
- Vitamin B12 and Folate: Checks the levels of these vitamins in the blood. Deficiencies can lead to certain types of anemia and neurological problems.
- Prothrombin with INR and Partial Thromboplastin Times: Evaluates blood clotting abilities, crucial for patients on anticoagulant therapies or with clotting disorders.
- Sed Rate (ESR): Indicates inflammation in the body, often used to diagnose and monitor inflammatory diseases.
- C-Reactive Protein: Another marker for inflammation, elevated in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Epstein-Barr Virus: Diagnoses and monitors infections caused by this virus, commonly associated with mononucleosis.
- Von Willebrand Factor Antigen: Assesses the function of this clotting protein, assisting in the diagnosis of bleeding disorders like von Willebrand disease.
Scenarios Recommending a Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test:
- Anemia: A CBC is invaluable in detecting different forms of anemia, such as that resulting from iron or vitamin B12 deficiencies, or from autoimmune causes.
- Infections: An aberrant CBC result can hint at an ongoing infection, be it bacterial, viral, or fungal, offering clues about its nature and intensity.
- Leukemia: Discrepancies in CBC readings might allude to blood malignancies like leukemia. A conclusive diagnosis, however, requires more specialized tests.
- Inflammatory Disorders:
Altered CBC metrics can stem from disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, reflecting the body’s inflammatory or autoimmune response.