CBC Profile (Complete Blood Count) Test

What is a CBC Profile?

• Purpose: The CBC test measures several components and features of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.
• Function: It helps assess your overall health and detects a variety of disorders, such as infections, anemia, and other blood-related conditions.

Components of the CBC Profile

1. Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count

   • Function: Carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
   • Significance: High or low RBC counts can indicate anemia, dehydration, bleeding, or other conditions.

2. Hemoglobin (Hgb or Hb)

   • Function: The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
   • Significance: Low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia; high levels might suggest polycythemia.

3. Hematocrit (Hct)

   • Function: The proportion of red blood cells to the fluid component (plasma) in your blood.
   • Significance: Abnormal hematocrit levels can indicate anemia, dehydration, or other medical conditions.

4. White Blood Cell (WBC) Count

   • Function: Part of the immune system that helps fight infections.
   • Significance: High or low WBC counts can indicate infections, inflammation, immune system disorders, or bone marrow issues.

5. Differential WBC Count

   • Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils: Each type of WBC has a specific role in immune response.
   • Significance: Abnormal levels of any of these cells can indicate infections, allergic reactions, or other immune-related conditions.

6. Platelet Count

   • Function: Essential for blood clotting.
   • Significance: High or low platelet counts can indicate bleeding disorders, bone marrow problems, or other conditions.

7. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

   • Function: The average size of your red blood cells.
   • Significance: High MCV can indicate macrocytic anemia; low MCV can indicate microcytic anemia.

8. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)

   • Function: The average amount of hemoglobin in a red blood cell.
   • Significance: Abnormal MCH values can help diagnose the type of anemia.

9. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)

   • Function: The average concentration of hemoglobin in a red blood cell.
   • Significance: Low MCHC can indicate hypochromic anemia.

10. Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)

    • Function: Measures the variation in red blood cell size.
    • Significance: High RDW can indicate a mix of different cell sizes, which is common in various types of anemia.

Why is the CBC Test Done?

1. Routine Health Check: As part of regular health checkups to monitor overall health.
2. Diagnosis: Helps diagnose conditions like anemia, infections, and many other disorders.
3. Monitoring: Monitors the effectiveness of treatments for conditions like anemia or infections.

When Should You Get a CBC Test?

• Symptoms: If you have symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, infection, bruising, or bleeding.
• Chronic Conditions: For managing chronic conditions like anemia, leukemia, or ongoing infections.
• Regular Checkups: As part of routine medical examinations.