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)

MEDICAL TESTS

Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal X-Ray
Allergy Testing
Amniocentesis
Amylase Blood Test
Angiodynography
Angiogram
Arterial Blood Gases
Arthrocentesis
Arthrogram
Barium Enema
Blood Chemistry
Blood Coagulation Test
Blood Cultures
Blood Glucose Test
Blood Test Smac 25
Bone Marrow Biopsy Aspiration
Cardiac Catheterization Angioplasty
Cardiac Enzymes
Cholesterol Blood Test
Complete Blood Count
CT Scanning Back
CT Scanning Chest Abdomen
Drug Levels
Glucose Tolerance Test
Hepatitis Blood Test
HIV Blood Test
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Blood Test
Lipoproteins
Liver Biopsy
Liver Blood Test
Lymph Node Biopsy
Mononucleosis Test
Paracentesis
Peritoneal Lavage
Pregnancy Blood Test
Prostate Specific Antigen
Skin Biopsy
Spine X-Rays
Thyroid Biopsy
Thyroid Blood Test
Toxicology