A complete blood count or CBC is a blood test that measures many different parts and features of your blood, including:
Red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
White blood cells, which fight infection. There are five major types of white blood cells. A CBC test measures the total number of white cells in your blood. A test called a CBC with differential also measures the number of each type of these white blood cells.
Platelets, which help your blood to clot and stop bleeding.
Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs and to the rest of your body.
Hematocrit, a measurement of how much of your blood is made up of red blood.
A complete blood count may also include measurements of chemicals and other substances in your blood. These results can give your health care provider important information about your overall health and risk for certain diseases.
Other names for a complete blood count: CBC, full blood count, blood cell count.
To monitor your overall health. In addition, the test may be used to:
Diagnose a blood disease, infection, immune system and disorder, or other medical conditions and keep track of an existing blood disorder.
A complete blood count is a commonly performed blood test that is often included as part of a routine checkup. Complete blood counts can be used to help detect a variety of disorders including infections, anemia, diseases of the immune system, and blood cancers.
Note: The medical information provided here in this website is for informational purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
