Blood holds red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets. Blood count tests measure how many of each there are and what kinds, which helps doctors check your overall health.
What they help diagnose
- anaemia;
- infections;
- clotting problems;
- blood cancers;
- immune system disorders.
What each test measures
| Test | Measures |
|---|---|
| RBC | the number, size and types of red blood cells |
| WBC | the number and types of white blood cells |
| Platelets | the number and size of platelets |
| Hemoglobin | the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen |
| Hematocrit | how much of the blood's volume red blood cells take up |
| Reticulocyte count | how many young red blood cells there are |
| Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) | the average size of the red blood cells |
The complete blood count
The complete blood count (CBC) includes most or all of these, and is one of the most common blood tests.
Sources
- "Blood Count Tests," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH). https://medlineplus.gov/bloodcounttests.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
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Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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