Urinalysis -Test

A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that providers use to monitor or diagnose health conditions. It can give your provider information about how medications or medical conditions are affecting your body, and about the health of your immune system. It can detect blood cancers, anemia, infections and other conditions.

For a CBC blood test, a healthcare provider takes a sample of your blood and sends it to a lab. The lab measures the amount of red blood cells, hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in your red blood cells), white blood cells and platelets. They also measure the size of your blood cells. Along with a CBC, your provider might order a peripheral blood smear, which gives them more information about how your blood cells look under a microscope.

What’s a CBC with differential?

A CBC with differential means that the lab also counts each different type of white blood cell and immature (not-yet-fully-developed) blood cells. This gives your provider more information about what’s happening with different immune system cells.

When do you need a CBC blood test?

Your provider might order a CBC test:

• As part of a routine health exam.
• To investigate unexplained symptoms, like fever, unintended weight loss, night sweats, bruising, bleeding or fatigue.
• To monitor an ongoing health condition, like cancer or chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• To monitor how well treatment is working or how a medication is affecting your body. For instance, certain treatments can lower your white blood cell counts and weaken your immune system.
• To monitor your health while you’re pregnant.

What does a CBC blood test check for?

A CBC test can tell your provider if you have:

• Anemia (low levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin).
• Erythrocytosis (high concentrations of red blood cells).
• Leukocytosis (high white blood count).
• Leukopenia (low white blood count).
• Thrombocytosis (high platelet count).
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).

These can be signs of many health conditions, including infections, cancer, blood conditions and medication side effects. But your provider can use the results of your CBC, along with your symptoms, to narrow down or diagnose the cause.