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What CBC Test Can Detect?

Published in Medical Testing 2 mins read

A complete blood count (CBC) test can detect various abnormalities in your blood, including:

Red Blood Cells

  • Anemia: A low red blood cell count can indicate anemia, a condition where your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen.
  • Polycythemia: An abnormally high red blood cell count can indicate polycythemia, a condition where your bone marrow produces too many red blood cells.
  • Abnormal size or shape of red blood cells: The CBC test can also assess the size and shape of your red blood cells, which can indicate certain conditions like iron deficiency anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency.

White Blood Cells

  • Infection: An elevated white blood cell count can indicate an infection.
  • Inflammation: A high white blood cell count can also indicate inflammation, a response to injury or illness.
  • Leukemia: A low white blood cell count can indicate leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood-forming cells in bone marrow.

Platelets

  • Bleeding disorders: A low platelet count can indicate a bleeding disorder, making it harder for your blood to clot.
  • Thrombocytosis: A high platelet count can indicate thrombocytosis, a condition where your body produces too many platelets.

Other Factors

  • Dehydration: The CBC test can also provide information about your hydration levels.
  • Nutritional deficiencies: The test can help identify certain nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency.

Note: A CBC test is a general screening test, and it may not always be able to identify the specific cause of an abnormality. Further testing may be required to get a more definitive diagnosis.

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