Complete Blood Count ( CBC) as the name implies includes a complete screening of your blood profile performed either as a general health checkup or to diagnose a disease or as workup before preparing a patient for a medical procedure. A complete blood count is a comprehensive test which assesses almost all the elements of blood.
When is a complete blood count (CBC) advised ?
A complete blood count is advised ;
- As a part of routine health check up/ to monitor your overall health
- To diagnose diseases of the blood and its components
- To prepare a patient preoperatively for a procedure
- To monitor a treatment plan
Who performs a complete blood count (CBC) test ?
A complete blood count test is performed in a pathology lab, by a pathologist or a trained technician.
What all components of blood are analyzed in a complete blood count (CBC) ?
A complete blood count helps in analyzing the below mentioned components of blood.
- Red Blood Cells
- White Blood Cells
- Hemoglobin Percentage
- Hematocrit (the ratio of red blood cells to the total volume of blood)
- White Blood Cells
- Platelets
The normal units of the above mentioned are mentioned as per the standard SI unit norms, you can ask your treating doctor to explain the range of the normal count of these cells of blood. The units used by different laboratories may slightly differ as their instruments are calibrated but the standard range of normalcy in the blood component counts remains the same.
How do you prepare for a complete blood count (CBC) ?
One individual can self-advice for a complete blood count or is usually suggested by a physician after your clinical examination. The test is performed in a pathology laboratory and the blood sample is either drawn during the day or in the morning hours as suggested by your treating doctor. (certain other tests performed with complete blood count may require fasting or empty stomach).
How is a complete blood count (CBC) performed ?
As mentioned above the complete blood count test is performed by a pathologist or a trained technician. You will be made to sit on a chair with a forearm rest and you will be asked to fold your shirt above your elbow below the test. Then a tourniquet is tied slightly above your elbow bend and a sterile cloth is use to clean the area of any impurities which may interfere with the test results. Once the area is dried the pathologist/technician draws the required amount of blood sample from the vein of the cubital fossa (median cubital vein). After the blood sample is withdrawn, the needle or vacutainer is removed and a cotton and gauze piece is used to stop the bleeding for 2-5 minutes. A band-aid might be applied at the area from where the blood was drawn. The blood is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. You will be allowed to go home or inpatient ward after the blood test is complete.
Who reports a complete blood count (CBC) report and when ?
A complete blood count is reported by a pathologist or the head of the laboratory after a detailed analysis of the blood and its components. The report might be given on the same day or as per the hospital’s policy. Any change either increase or decrease of the blood cells, or deviation from the normal count range is suggestive of a pathology/disease.
What the risks and complications of a complete blood count (CBC) ?
Complete blood count is a rather safe and an easy procedure and the risks and complications are minimal. But, one can get slight bruise from the site where blood was drawn or in rare cases bleeding, infection or clotting of blood. Rarest complications is an air emboli or gas entrapped while blood was drawn and it can lead to serious complications.
Is a complete blood count (CBC) sufficient for a definitive diagnosis ?
Certain conditions can be diagnosed based on a complete blood count, but usually complete blood count is forms the basis of any medical investigation as any disease or infection usually manifests initially as a change in the blood count.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
