Test Components:

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures:

1. White blood cell count.
2. White blood cell differential.
3. Red blood cell count.
4. Red blood cell density.
5. Hemoglobin levels.
6. Blood platelet count.

Description:

A Complete Blood Count or CBC is a great test to take to give you a “snapshot” of your health. This test gives important information about the kind and the number of cells in your blood. Physicians use this information to evaluate symptoms, help diagnose conditions and treat certain illnesses (like infections).

Knowing your CBC can provide you and your doctor with vital health information. You should consider taking a CBC if you:

Why Do I Need It?:

The CBC is perfect if you...

• Feel fatigued.
• Think you have an infection.
• Experience difficulty recovering from infection or injury.
• Experience excessive bleeding or blood clot formation.

Having a CBC is also a good idea if you have a personal or family history of inflammation, bruising, blood disorders or leukemia.

Other Relevant Tests:

Customers who purchase a CBC typically purchase it as a part of the Basic Check-Up Panel. The CBC is also a part of the Comprehensive Male Panel, Comprehensive Female Panel, Diabetes Maintenance Panel, Heartburn Panel, Fatigue Panel, Anemia Panel, Cardiac Risk Panel, Cancer Screening Panel, Nutrition Panel, Inflammation Panel, Menopause Panel, Fibromyalgia Panel and either the Male or Female Complete Health Profile.

Test Details:

Normal Range:

Normal ranges can depend on sex and age. Below are the ranges for a healthy adult.

High Results Indicate:

RED BLOOD CELLS: The clinical term for high red blood cells is polycythaemia. When the red blood cell count is elevated, the blood’s thickness is increased. This causes reduced blood flow and in some cases blood clots.

WHITE BLOOD CELLS: White blood cells, called leukocytes, fight diseases and infections in the body. The clinical term for high white blood cells is leukocytosis. When the white blood cell count is elevated, it can be an indication of infection.

PLATELETS: The clinical term for high platelet counts is thrombocytosis. Having an elevated level of platelets does not always indicate a medical problem. Platelets can be elevated due to a secondary disease or disorder such as an inflammatory disease.

HEMATOCRIT: Elevated hematocrit levels are seen in people living in high altitudes, chronic smokers, and in cases of dehydration.

HEMOGLOBIN: Elevated hemoglobin levels are seen with several conditions, the most common being dehydration.

Low Results Indicate:

RED BLOOD CELLS: Low red blood cell counts are caused by blood loss, either chronic or acute. Acute blood loss is usually from an injury, trauma or surgery. Chronic blood loss is most commonly from small amounts of blood lost over a period of time.

WHITE BLOOD CELLS: The clinical term for a low white blood cell count is leucopenia. This can result from chemotherapy, radiation or immune system diseases.

PLATELETS: Low platelet counts can cause abnormal and excessive bleeding.

HEMATOCRIT: Low hematocrit levels can indicate anemia. Anemia can be caused by blood loss or a secondary disease or disorder.

HEMOGLOBIN: Low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia as well as other conditions such as excessive bleeding, cancers affecting the bone marrow and kidney disease.

What Type of Physician Should You See?

Contact a general physician if your results are abnormal. A physician will determine if you need to see a specialist.

Next Steps:

1. Buy test – either at the store or online. (*If online, don’t forget to print out receipt!)
2. Fill out necessary paperwork and how you want to receive the test results.
3. Get results.
4. Review results.
5. If your results are ‘abnormal’ or ‘out-of-range’ from the normal, please contact your physician. (*The interpretation of any laboratory test should be made only by a licensed physician.)