Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most common laboratory tests. It evaluates the number and quality of blood cells — red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets — along with derived indices. A CBC helps detect anemia, infections, inflammatory conditions, and clotting disorders.
Disclaimer. This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
What CBC Includes
Red Blood Cell Indices
| Marker | Description |
|---|---|
| Red Blood Cells (RBC) | Count of red blood cells |
| Hemoglobin | Oxygen-carrying protein |
| Hematocrit | Proportion of blood volume occupied by RBCs |
| MCV | Mean corpuscular volume |
| MCH | Mean corpuscular hemoglobin |
| MCHC | Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration |
| RDW | Red cell distribution width |
| Reticulocytes | Immature RBCs, marker of erythropoiesis |
White Blood Cell Indices
| Marker | Description |
|---|---|
| White Blood Cells (WBC) | Total white cell count |
| Neutrophils | Innate immunity cells |
| Lymphocytes | Adaptive immunity cells |
| Monocytes | Inflammatory response cells |
| Eosinophils | Associated with allergy and parasites |
| Basophils | Involved in allergic reactions |
Platelets and Inflammation
| Marker | Description |
|---|---|
| Platelets | Cells responsible for clotting |
| ESR | Erythrocyte sedimentation rate — nonspecific inflammation marker |
When to Get Tested
- Routine check-up — every 1–2 years for general health assessment
- Suspected anemia — fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath
- Signs of infection — fever, inflammation, pain
- Treatment monitoring — while taking chemotherapy, anticoagulants, or hormones
- Pre-operative assessment — evaluating bleeding and infection risk
- Chronic disease follow-up — rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, oncology
How to Prepare
- Have blood drawn fasting (8–12 hours without food) unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- Avoid alcohol and intense exercise for 24 hours before the test.
- Do not smoke for 30 minutes before blood collection.
- Tell your doctor about medications — some drugs affect CBC results.
- If you have a menstrual cycle, ask your doctor about the optimal timing.
How Health Vault Helps
Upload a photo or PDF of your CBC report to Health Vault — the system automatically recognizes all values, stores them with LOINC codes, and displays trends over time. Compare results from different labs on unified charts.
See also: Biomarker Catalog · Biochemistry Panel