Published: 30 Sep 2024

Complete Blood Count (CBC): A Routine Test for Overall Health

A CBC is a commonly performed blood test that provides valuable information about your overall health status. It is often included as part of a regular checkup.

Purpose:

* Assessing nutritional status
* Screening for diseases
* Establishing general well-being
* Evaluating symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and bruising
* Diagnosing conditions such as anemia, leukemia, malaria, and infections

Components of a CBC:

* Hemoglobin (Hgb): Measures the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.
* Hematocrit (Hct): Indicates the percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.
* Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): Determines the average size of red blood cells.
* Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH): Estimates the average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell.
* Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC): Indicates the concentration of hemoglobin within red blood cells.
* Platelet count: Measures the number of platelets, which are essential for blood clotting.

Normal CBC Values:

* Hemoglobin:
* Men: 13.0 - 17.0 g/dL
* Women: 11.5 - 15.5 g/dL
* Hematocrit:
* Men: 40 - 55%
* Women: 36 - 48%
* Platelets:
* Adults: 150,000 - 400,000/mL
* White blood cells:
* Adults: 5,000 - 10,000/mL

Additional Information:

* The MCV, MCH, and MCHC values can help diagnose different types of anemia.
* CBC results are typically easy to interpret, with clear reference ranges for normal values.
* Beyond medical applications, CBCs are also used in forensics, insurance claims, and other areas where blood analysis is required.
* Blood test analysis provides valuable insights into various health-related questions. If you have recently received a CBC report, don't hesitate to discuss the results with your healthcare provider for better understanding and guidance.