Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The complete blood count (CBC) is probably one of the most frequently performed lab tests. This test gives the physician a great deal of information about the general health of the patient. The complete blood count can help the physician diagnose a large number of conditions, and aid in the ultimate diagnosis of many other problems:
1. LEUKEMIA (white blood cell disorder)
2. LYMPHOMA (white blood cell disorder)
3. ANEMIA (low hemoglobin and red cell count)
4. THROMBOCYTOPENIA (a low platelet count secondary to drug side effect, vitamin deficiency, or bone marrow disease)
5. INFECTION (shows increase in white blood cells)
6. GENERAL INFLAMMATION (shows increase in white blood cells)
7. NEUTROPENIA (low white blood cell count)
This test is performed from a standard venipuncture specimen.
APPROXIMATE NORMAL VALUES (Adult)
Hemoglobin (grams/deciliter): 12-16 (Women) and 14-18 (Men) Hematocrit (expressed as a percent of the blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells):
Men 40% to 54%
Women 37% to 47%
Children 31% to 41%
Newborns 44% to 64%
White Blood Cell Count: 4,500 - 11,000 (per cubic millimeter). Slightly higher counts are normal in children.
Causes of Low White Blood Cell Counts (Neutropenia)
1. Aplastic anemia
2. Leukemia
3. Myelodysplastic syndromes
4. Drug induced (chemotherapeutic agents, chloramphenicol, penicillins, sulfa drugs, phenothiazines, and anti-inflammatory agents)
5. Nutritional deficiency (vitamin B12 and folate)
6. Infection (TB, measles, mononucleosis, viral hepatitis, malaria, histoplasmosis, and HIV)
7. Autoimmune disease (lupus and rheumatoid arthritis)
8. Hemodialysis
9. Cardiopulmonary bypass
10. Overwhelming sepsis (bacterial infection in the bloodstream)
11. Myelofibrosis
Red Blood Cell Count: 4.6-6.2 million per cubic millimeter in Men and 4.2-5.4 million per cubic millimeter in Women.
RED BLOOD CELL INDICES
The following red blood cell indices are determined to help diagnose the cause of anemia.
MCV = Mean Corpuscular Volume - This is a measurement of the size of an average red cell. It is useful in the evaluation of anemia. Normal values should be in the range of 80 - 96 cubic microns (cu u).
MCH = Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin - This index describes the weight of hemoglobin in an average red cell. Normal values should be in the range of 27 -31 picograms (pg).
MCHC = Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration - This index describes the amount of hemoglobin in an average red cell. Normal values should be in the range of 32% - 36%.
EXAMPLES
Iron Deficient Anemia Pernicious Anemia
MCV 60 - 80 cu u 95 - 150 cu u
MCH 5 - 25 pg 33 - 53 pg
MCHC 20% - 30% 33% - 38%
Platelet Count: 150,000-400,000 per cubic millimeter are considered a normal range.
White Blood Cell Differential (percentages of the different types of white blood cells that comprise the total white blood cell count): Neutrophils 47% to 77% (elevated in infection, inflammation, and stress)
Bands 0% to 3% (elevated in some cases of bacterial infection)
Lymphocytes 16% to 43% (elevated in some cases of viral infection and some leukemias)
Monocytes 0.5% to 10% (elevated in some viral and fungal infections, lupus, cancer, and tuberculosis)
Eosinophils 0.3% to 7% (elevated in allergic conditions, some cancers, some leukemias, and autoimmune disease)
Basophils 0.3% to 2% (elevated in some leukemias, some cancers, and hypothyroidism)
credits:
http://www.health-care-information.org/medical-tests/complete-blood-count.htm
