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Complete Blood Count (CBC)

12 Mar 2025 by Admin
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A CBC test measures the following key components of blood:

  1. Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

    • RBCs carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
    • The CBC includes measurements such as:
      • Red Blood Cell Count – Total number of RBCs.
      • Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) – The protein in RBCs that carries oxygen.
      • Hematocrit (Hct) – The percentage of blood volume made up of RBCs.
      • Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) – The average size of RBCs.
      • Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) – The average amount of hemoglobin per RBC.
      • Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) – The concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of RBCs.
      • Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) – Measures variation in RBC size, which can help diagnose certain types of anemia.
  2. White Blood Cells (WBCs)

    • WBCs are a crucial part of the immune system and help fight infections.
    • The CBC includes:
      • Total White Blood Cell Count – The overall number of WBCs in the blood.
      • Differential WBC Count – Breaks down different types of WBCs:
        • Neutrophils – Fight bacterial infections.
        • Lymphocytes – Important for viral infections and immunity.
        • Monocytes – Help remove dead cells and fight infections.
        • Eosinophils – Involved in allergic reactions and parasite infections.
        • Basophils – Play a role in allergic responses and inflammation.
  3. Platelets (Thrombocytes)

    • Platelets help with blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding.
    • The CBC measures:
      • Platelet Count – The total number of platelets.
      • Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) – The average size of platelets.
      • Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) – Measures variations in platelet size.