Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A CBC test, or complete blood count, or complete blood test, is a routine blood test that offers a comprehensive snapshot of your overall health. The CBC test means a simple yet powerful diagnostic tool that measures levels of various blood components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. By analysing these cell counts, doctors can gain valuable insights into your body's well-being, detect potential issues early on, and monitor ongoing medical conditions or treatments.

The CBC blood test is quick, minimally invasive, and plays a crucial role in identifying concerns such as anaemia, infections, and certain cancers, often before symptoms even appear.

What is a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?

The CBC test is a laboratory analysis that evaluates several key elements of your blood:

• Red blood cells (RBCs): These cells transport oxygen throughout your body, ensuring that tissues and organs receive the necessary fuel to function properly.
• White blood cells (WBCs): As the body's defence system, white blood cells help fight infections and support your immune system.
• Platelets: These tiny blood cells play a vital role in blood clotting, preventing excessive bleeding when injuries occur.
• Haemoglobin: This protein, found within red blood cells, is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
• Haematocrit: This measurement reflects the proportion of red blood cells in your total blood volume.

Additionally, the CBC includes several red cell indices—such as MCV (mean corpuscular volume), MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin), MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), and RDW (red cell distribution width)—that provide detailed insights into the size, hemoglobin content, and variability of red blood cells.

What’s a CBC with differential?

A CBC, or complete blood count, with differential provides a detailed count of the different types of white blood cells in your blood. It helps identify infections, inflammation, immune system disorders, and blood cancers by distinguishing between neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

What are the Parameters tested under CBC Test?

The Complete Blood Count test analyses several components of your blood:

• White Blood Cells (WBCs): These fight infections and diseases; their count indicates your body’s immune response.
• Red Blood Cells (RBCs): They transport oxygen, and their count can detect conditions like anaemia, dehydration, or heart disease.
• Haemoglobin: This protein carries oxygen in RBCs. Its levels can indicate conditions like anaemia, lung diseases, or kidney diseases.
• Haematocrit: The ratio of the volume of RBCs to the total blood volume; its value is crucial in determining conditions like anaemia or polycythemia.
• Platelets: Essential for blood clotting and wound healing; their count can reveal bleeding disorders or thrombocytopenia.