Complete Blood Count (CBC).

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most common and informative laboratory tests. It allows assessment of the general condition of the body and detection of inflammatory, infectious, oncological, and hematological diseases.

Why is CBC prescribed:
  • Diagnosis of anemia, infections, inflammatory processes, allergies, coagulation disorders, bone marrow diseases.
  • Assessment of disease severity and progression.
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.
  • Screening during preventive examinations.
How it is performed and how to prepare:
  • Blood is drawn from a finger or vein, usually in the morning on an empty stomach.
  • Avoid alcohol 24 hours before the test, do not smoke for 30 minutes before, avoid physical exertion and stress.
  • It is important to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, as they may affect the results.
Features of result interpretation:
  • Reference ranges depend on sex, age, and physiological state (e.g., pregnancy).
  • Deviations from the reference range should be assessed in combination with clinical presentation and other tests.
  • Self-interpretation may be inaccurate and requires consultation with a specialist.
Examples of result interpretation:
  • Hemoglobin increased — blood thickening (dehydration), smoking, high altitude, chronic lung diseases, erythrocytosis, kidney tumors.
  • Hemoglobin decreased — anemia, blood loss, iron deficiency, vitamin B9 and B12 deficiency, chronic diseases, pregnancy.
  • Erythrocytes increased — hypoxia, smoking, stress, dehydration, erythrocytosis, polycythemia, tumors.
  • Erythrocytes decreased — anemia, erythrocyte destruction, chronic inflammation, renal failure, pregnancy.
  • Hematocrit increased — blood thickening, dehydration, burns, erythrocytosis.
  • Hematocrit decreased — anemia, hyperhydration, pregnancy, chronic kidney or liver disease.
  • Leukocytes increased — infections (usually bacterial), inflammation, leukemia, trauma, stress, allergies, postoperative period.
  • Leukocytes decreased — viral infections, immunodeficiencies, aplastic anemia, cytostatic drugs, autoimmune diseases.
  • Neutrophils increased — bacterial infections, acute inflammation, stress, infarction, oncology.
  • Neutrophils decreased — viral infections, fungal diseases, some medications, immunodeficiency states.
  • Lymphocytes increased — viral infections, tuberculosis, lymphocytic leukemia, hyperthyroidism.
  • Lymphocytes decreased — acute bacterial infections, immunodeficiencies, prolonged stress, corticosteroid treatment.
  • Monocytes increased — chronic infections (tuberculosis, syphilis), autoimmune processes, leukemia.
  • Monocytes decreased — immunodeficiency, stress, toxic effects.
  • Eosinophils increased — allergies, parasitic infections, skin diseases, leukemia.
  • Eosinophils decreased — acute infections, stress, trauma, childbirth.
  • Basophils increased — allergies, chronic myelogenous leukemia, GI tract inflammation, hypothyroidism.
  • Basophils decreased — acute infections, stress, hyperthyroidism.
  • Platelets increased — inflammation, infections, postoperative period, polycythemia, myeloproliferative diseases.
  • Platelets decreased — thrombocytopenia, viral infections, systemic blood diseases, anticoagulant therapy.
  • ESR increased — inflammation, infections, anemia, autoimmune diseases, oncology.
  • ESR decreased — increased blood viscosity, erythrocytosis, some chronic liver and heart diseases.
Main parameters and reference ranges:
  • Hemoglobin (Hb): ♂ 130–170 g/L, ♀ 120–150 g/L
  • Erythrocytes (RBC): ♂ 4.5–5.5 ×10¹²/L, ♀ 3.9–4.7 ×10¹²/L
  • Hematocrit (Hct): ♂ 40–50%, ♀ 36–42%
  • MCV: 80–100 fL (mean corpuscular volume)
  • MCH: 27–33 pg (mean corpuscular hemoglobin)
  • MCHC: 310–370 g/L (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration)
  • RDW: 11.5–14.5% (red cell distribution width)
  • Leukocytes (WBC): 4–9 ×10⁹/L
  • Neutrophils: 45–70%
  • Lymphocytes: 20–40%
  • Monocytes: 2–10%
  • Eosinophils: 1–5%
  • Basophils: 0–1%
  • Platelets (PLT): 150–400 ×10⁹/L
  • MPV: 7.5–11 fL (mean platelet volume)
  • PCT: 0.12–0.36% (plateletcrit)
  • PDW: 10–18% (platelet distribution width)
  • ESR: ♂ 2–10 mm/h, ♀ 2–15 mm/h (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)

Note: CBC results are not a diagnosis, but a basis for clinical evaluation. If there are deviations from the reference range, consult your doctor.



Types of Tests