Cbc what is

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For instance, too many eosinophils may be a sign of an allergy or asthma. How To Prepare How To Prepare In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to. Risks Risks There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. Results Results Normal Each lab has a different range for what's normal.

Blood smear results Normal: Blood cells are normal in shape, size, color, and number. High values Red blood cells RBC. Conditions that cause high RBC values include smoking, exposure to carbon monoxide, long-term lung disease, kidney disease, some cancers, certain forms of heart disease, alcohol use disorder , liver disease, a rare disorder of the bone marrow polycythemia vera , and a rare disorder of hemoglobin that binds oxygen tightly.

Conditions that affect the body's water content can also cause high RBC values. These conditions include dehydration , diarrhea or vomiting, excessive sweating, and the use of diuretics. The lack of fluid in the body makes the RBC volume look high. This is sometimes called spurious polycythemia. White blood cells WBC, leukocytes. Conditions that cause high WBC values include infection, inflammation, damage to body tissues such as a heart attack , severe physical or emotional stress such as a fever, injury, or surgery , kidney failure, lupus , tuberculosis TB , rheumatoid arthritis , malnutrition, leukemia , and diseases such as cancer.

The use of corticosteroids , underactive adrenal glands , thyroid gland problems, certain medicines, and removal of the spleen can also cause high WBC values. High platelet values may be seen with bleeding, iron deficiency, some diseases like cancer, or problems with the bone marrow. Low values Red blood cells RBC. Anemia lowers RBC values. Anemia can be caused by heavy menstrual bleeding, stomach ulcers , colon cancer , inflammatory bowel disease , some tumors, Addison's disease , thalassemia , lead poisoning , sickle cell disease , and reactions to some chemicals and medicines.

A low RBC value may also be seen if the spleen has been taken out. A lack of folic acid or vitamin B12 can also cause anemia, such as pernicious anemia.

This is a problem with absorbing vitamin B The RBC indices value and a blood smear may help find the cause of anemia. Conditions that can lower WBC values include chemotherapy and reactions to other medicines, aplastic anemia , viral infections, malaria , alcohol use disorder, AIDS , lupus , and Cushing's syndrome.

A large spleen can lower the WBC count. Low platelet values can occur in pregnancy or immune thrombocytopenic purpura ITP and other conditions that affect how platelets are made or that destroy platelets. A large spleen can lower the platelet count. Current as of: June 17, I want to All rights reserved. Language Assistance. Blood cells are normal in shape, size, color, and number. In some cases, if your results are significantly above or below the normal ranges, your doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in blood disorders hematologist.

Results in the following areas above or below the normal ranges on a complete blood count may indicate a problem. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit. The results of your red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit are related because they each measure aspects of your red blood cells.

If the measures in these three areas are lower than normal, you have anemia. Anemia causes fatigue and weakness. Anemia has many causes, including low levels of certain vitamins or iron, blood loss, or an underlying condition. A red blood cell count that's higher than normal erythrocytosis , or high hemoglobin or hematocrit levels, could point to an underlying medical condition, such as polycythemia vera or heart disease. White blood cell count. A low white blood cell count leukopenia may be caused by a medical condition, such as an autoimmune disorder that destroys white blood cells, bone marrow problems or cancer.

Certain medications also can cause white blood cell counts to drop. Thus, values higher or lower than those in the reference range might or might not indicate a medical condition. In addition to the reference range, your doctor will consider other factors when interpreting your CBC test results. These factors include your personal and family medical history, results from a physical exam, and other test results. Your doctor will also consider factors that might cause an incorrect test result such as improper sample collection or handling.

This brochure includes a brief description of the items included in the CBC test report. The descriptions can help you understand your results so you can have a more meaningful discussion with your doctor.

Additionally, items in the CBC are summarized in the table at the end of this brochure for quick reference. RBCs play a vital role in transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. These oval-shaped cells contain hemoglobin, the protein that binds oxygen while it is being carried to all the stationary cells in the body cells in the skin, muscle, bone and organs. The chemical process that converts the nutrients found in food into energy requires oxygen. All the stationary cells require energy to function; thus, they need oxygen and are dependent on the RBCs to transport it.

Hemoglobin Hb or Hgb is an iron-rich protein that carries oxygen and makes the blood red. The hematocrit reflects the amount of space in the blood that is occupied by RBCs. Not all the RBCs are the same size; some are larger and some are smaller.

In patients with anemia, hemoglobin levels are low and the patient may be frequently tired and have little energy.

This is because there is not enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the stationary tissues; thus, there is not enough oxygen available to convert nutrients into energy. Low RBC counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels can be caused by other things too, such as a lot of bleeding or malnutrition not enough nutrients in the food eaten. Kidney disease, liver disease cirrhosis , cancer, and medications used to treat cancer can also cause low levels.

An increased RBC count and increased levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit may be caused by dehydration not enough water in the body or by some diseases see table. WBCs help the body fight illness or infection.