Hemograma- Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A complete blood count (CBC) is a test that measures the cells that make up your blood:
red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. You might get a CBC as part of your yearly
check-up. Your doctor might also order it to:

 Check for anemia or leukemia

 See if you have another health issue or to explain symptoms like weakness, fever,
bruising, or feeling tired
 Keep an eye on a blood condition you already have
 See how medications or treatments like chemotherapy are affecting your blood

If the CBC is the only blood test you’re getting that day, you can eat or drink like you normally
would.

How Is a CBC Done?

It’s pretty simple and takes just a few minutes. A nurse or lab tech will take a sample of blood by
inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. She’ll send it to the lab for review. You can leave and
get right back to your normal routine.

What Does It Measure?

The test can tell your doctor a lot about your overall health. It measures the following things:

 White blood cells (WBCs). These help to fight infections. If you have high WBC levels,
it tells your doctor you have inflammation or infection somewhere in your body. If it’s
low, you could be at risk for infection. The normal range is 4,500 to 10,000 cells per
microliter (cells/mcL). (A microliter is a very tiny amount – one millionth of a liter).
 RBC (red blood cell count). This is the number of red blood cells you have. These are
important because they carry oxygen through your body. They also help filter carbon
dioxide. If your RBC count is too low, you may have anemia or another condition. (If
you have anemia, your blood has fewer red blood cells than normal.) The normal range
for men is 5 million to 6 million cells/mcL; for women it’s 4 million to 5 million
cells/mcL.
 Hb or Hbg (hemoglobin). This is the protein in your blood that holds the oxygen. The
normal range for men is 14 to 17 grams per deciliter (gm/dL); for women it’s 12 to 15
gm/dL.
 Hct (hematocrit). How much of your blood is red blood cells. A low score on the range
scale may be a sign that you have too little iron, the mineral that helps produce red blood
cells. A high score could mean you’re dehydrated or have another condition. The normal
range for men is between 41% and 50%. For women the range is between 36% and 44%.
 MCV (mean corpuscular volume). This is the average size of your red blood cells. If
they’re bigger than normal, your MCV score goes up. That could indicate low vitamin
B12 or folate levels. If your red blood cells are smaller, you could have a type of anemia.
A normal-range MCV score is 80 to 95.
  Platelets. These play a role in clotting. This test measures the number of platelets in your
blood. The normal range is 140,000 to 450,000 cells/mcL

What Do My Results Mean?

When you get your report, you’ll notice two columns: one called a “reference range” and another
for your results. If your results are inside the reference range, they’re normal. If your results are
higher or lower than the reference range, they’re abnormal. Mild anemia is the most common
reason your results might be off.
Each lab has its own special equipment and different ways of analyzing your blood. So the
reference range -- what’s considered normal levels -- will depend on the lab that handles your
blood tests.
It’ll also depend on you age, sex, and how high above sea level you live.

What Else Might My CBC Tell Me?

It can reveal more information about your health, depending on what your doctor orders. Your
doctor will know whether you have an illness or blood condition by measuring the following:

 MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin). How much hemoglobin (a protein) is in your

typical red blood cell. It carries oxygen to your organs and tissues. It also moves carbon
dioxide from your organs and tissues back to your lungs.
 MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). This measures how
concentrated the hemoglobin is in your typical red blood cell. It’s how densely packed
the hemoglobin molecules are inside the cells.
 RDW (red cell distribution width). How your much your red blood cells vary in size.
 Reticulocyte Count. Your results help your doctor figure out what could be causing your
anemia, if you have it.
 MPV (mean platelet volume). The size of the platelets in your blood.
 PDW (platelet distribution width). How much your platelets vary in size.
 White Blood Cell Differential. There are five types of white blood cells. This test shows
how many of each type you have: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and
basophils.

WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by William Blahd, MD on December 23, 2016