A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests. It provides important information about the cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
What Does a CBC Measure?
A CBC measures several components of your blood:
- Red Blood Cells (RBC): Carry oxygen throughout your body
- White Blood Cells (WBC): Fight infection and disease
- Hemoglobin: The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
- Hematocrit: The percentage of blood made up of red blood cells
- Platelets: Help with blood clotting
Understanding Your Results
Your doctor will compare your results to reference ranges. Results outside these ranges may indicate various conditions:
- Low RBC, hemoglobin, or hematocrit may indicate anemia
- High WBC may indicate infection or inflammation
- Low platelets may increase bleeding risk