Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a comprehensive blood test that evaluates your overall health and detects various disorders, including anemia, infection, and leukemia. It measures different components of your blood including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
In today's fast-paced world, CBC is crucial for early detection of blood disorders, infections, and nutritional deficiencies. It's often the first test doctors order when you feel unwell, providing vital insights into your immune system and overall health status.
Essential for monitoring chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. Particularly important for urban populations exposed to pollution and stress, which can affect blood cell counts.
No special preparation required. You can eat normally before the test. Inform your doctor about any medications you're taking as some can affect blood counts.
Results show counts of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. High or low values may indicate various conditions from infections to blood disorders.
RBC: 4.5-5.5 million cells/mcL, WBC: 4,500-11,000 cells/mcL, Platelets: 150,000-450,000 cells/mcL
Most labs provide CBC results within 2-24 hours. At partnered labs, you can expect results the same day or next morning.
No, fasting is not required for a CBC test. You can eat and drink normally before the test.
Medications, recent illness, pregnancy, altitude, smoking, and certain medical conditions can influence CBC values.