(Complete Blood Count Test (CBC

What is the complete blood count test (CBC)?
Many blood tests measure the amount of a particular chemical or protein in your blood, but a complete blood count checks the blood cells themselves. It measures the numbers of different types of blood cells, their sizes, and their appearance. It is a very common and useful blood test. Any irregularities can then be observed and used as a basis for follow-up check-ups.
In general, the test measures 3 main components of blood:
• Red blood cells (also called erythrocytes or RBCs). The test measures the number, size, shape, and appearance of the RBCs, and also the amount of hemoglobin in them. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The part of the test called a hematocrit measures the percentage of your blood that is red blood cells.
• Hematocrit Count
The hematocrit count calculates the percentage of red blood cells per micro liter of blood. The range for an average male is from 42%-52% while the range for an average female would be from 37%-47%.
This test is highly similar to the red blood cell count and has similar implications if the count is either too high or too low.
• Hemoglobin Count
Hemoglobin is found within the biconcave red blood cells and it combines readily with the oxygen molecule to form the unstable compound, oxy-hemoglobin. Blood with oxy-hemoglobin is observed to be bright red.
The hemoglobin test should be coherent with the red blood cell and hematocrit test; otherwise, further testing may be needed to confirm the irregularities. Implications of the hemoglobin tests are in sync with that of the red blood cell count.
The normal hemoglobin count is 12-16 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter of blood in females and 14-18 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter of blood in males.
• White blood cells (also called leukocytes or WBCs). The total count of white cells is measured. White blood cells help the body’s immune system fight infection. When the amounts of each of the different types of white blood cells are also measured, the test is called a differential. The most common types are neutrophils (also called polymorph nuclear cells, PMNs, polys, or granulocytes) and lymphocytes.
• Platelets (also called thrombocytes). Platelets are not actually blood cells. They are fragments of large blood -forming cells. These fragments are essential for normal blood clotting.