Complete blood count for diagnosis of health problems

General check up (complete blood count / CBC) is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect various disorders. A complete blood count is one of the procedures performed to diagnose anemia. In addition, various other blood disorders can also be detected by this examination, such as infections and leukemia. Check out the explanation for the complete blood check below.

What is a complete blood count?

As already mentioned, a complete blood count is a group of tests that is done to check every cell flowing in the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (platelets).

A complete blood count can check your overall health and detect various diseases and conditions, such as infections, anemia and leukemia.

Your doctor may order a complete blood test when you have suspected symptoms related to blood cells.

Symptoms that may lead your doctor to recommend a complete blood count include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Bruising or bleeding easily

The following is an explanation of the three types of cells that can be checked by a complete blood count:

1. Red blood cells

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are produced in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream when they are mature. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen throughout the body.

Red blood cells usually come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The appearance is influenced by various conditions, such as vitamin B12 and folate deficiency and iron deficiency.

Anemia is a common condition that can affect red blood cells. Therefore, a complete blood count is necessary in diagnosing anemia and determining its cause.

The things that are checked when checking red blood cells consist of:

• Check the blood cell count.
• Measure the amount of hemoglobin.
• Measure hematocrit.
• A red blood cell index that includes information about the appearance of red blood cells, such as:
  • MCV (mean corpuscular volume), which is the average size of red blood cells
  • MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin), that is, the average amount of hemoglobin in the blood
  • MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), namely the average concentration of hemoglobin in erythrocytes
  • RDW (red cell distribution width) , that is, various sizes of red blood cells
• A complete blood test may also include a count of the reticulocyte count, which is the percentage of newly emerging pink blood cells in a blood sample.

2. White blood cells

White blood cells (leukocytes) are cells found in the blood, lymphatic system and many tissues. Leukocytes are an important part of the body's defense system.

There are five types of white blood cells that have different functions, namely neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes.

Some of the components that are checked in a complete blood count related to leukocytes are:

• Whole white blood cell count.
• Calculation of various types of white blood cells (leukocytes), such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. However, this can also be done as a follow-up test to find the cause of the leukocytes being too high or low.

3. Platelets

Platelets are small cell fragments that flow in the blood and have an important role in normal blood clotting. When injury and bleeding occurs, platelets help stop bleeding by sticking to the injury site and clumping together to form a temporary blockage.

A platelet test in a complete blood count includes:

• The number of platelets in a blood sample.
• Mean platelet volume, which includes the mean size of platelets.
• Platelet distribution, which reflects how platelets are in size.

What are the goals of a complete blood count?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, a complete blood count aims to:

• Review your overall health
  Your doctor may ask you to have a complete blood count as part of medical check-up to monitor general health and to check for various disorders, such as anemia or leukemia.
• Determine the diagnosis
  Your doctor may order a complete blood count if you experience a number of symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, fever, inflammation, bruising, or bleeding. A complete blood count is done to detect the cause of the various symptoms you are experiencing.
• Monitor medical conditions
  If you have been diagnosed with a blood disorder that affects the number of blood cells, such as leukocytosis or leukopenia, your doctor may order a complete blood test to monitor your condition.
• Monitor medical care. A complete blood count may be done to monitor your health if you are taking medications that can affect your blood cell count.

What needs to be prepared before doing a complete blood test?

If the blood sample to be tested is only for a complete blood count, you are allowed to eat and drink as usual before undergoing the test.

However, if the blood sample is used for additional tests, such as a sugar check, you may need to fast for a period of time before taking the test.

How does a complete blood count work?

Most complete blood tests involve taking a certain amount of blood from your vein. The health worker will perform the following steps:

• Clean the surface of your skin
• Place an elastic band over the area to be injected to make the blood vessels full
• Inserting a needle into a vein (usually in the arm or inside of the elbow or on the back of the hand)
• Draw a blood sample through a syringe
• Remove the elastic band and remove the needle from the vein

In infants, blood draw in a complete blood count is usually done by taking a sample at the baby's heel with a small needle (lancet).

What are the results of a normal complete blood count?

Here are the results of a normal complete blood count in adults:

• Red blood cells: 4.7-6.1 million per microliter of blood for men and 4.2-5.4 million per microliter of blood for women.
• Hemoglobin: 14-17 grams / dL for men and 12-16 grams / L for women.
• Hematocrit: 38.3% -48.6% for men and 35.5% -44.9% for women.
• White blood cells: 3,400-9,600 cells / microliter of blood.
• Platelets: 135,000-317,000 / microliter for men and 157,000-371,000 / microliter.

What do the results of a complete blood count mean?

A complete blood count that is above or below the normal number can indicate a health problem. Here's the explanation.

1. Results of erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and hematocrit examination

The results of the red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit tests are related because they each measure aspects of the red blood cell.

If the results for all three tests are lower than normal, you have anemia. Anemia is characterized by symptoms, such as fatigue and weakness.

Anemia is caused by many things, such as a deficiency in certain vitamins. These various causes then differentiate the types of anemia.

Meanwhile, if the results of the three tests are higher than normal, you may have a medical condition, such as heart disease.

2. The results of the examination of white blood cells

A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) can be caused by a medical condition, such as an autoimmune disease that destroys white blood cells, bone marrow problems, or cancer. Certain medications can also cause this condition.

Meanwhile, if your white blood cell count is higher than normal, you may experience infection or inflammation. In addition, the results of these tests can also indicate that you have an immune system disorder or bone marrow disease.

The white blood cell count can also increase as a result of taking drugs or undergoing certain medications.

3. The results of the examination of the platelet count

A platelet count that is lower than normal (thrombocytopenia) or higher than normal (thrombocytosis) is often a sign of a medical condition that is causing it. This condition can also occur due to certain medications.

If the platelet count is below normal, you may need additional tests to determine the cause for sure.

Keep in mind that a complete blood count is not a definitive diagnostic test or a final test. The results shown may require follow-up, or they may not. The doctor may need to see the results of a complete blood count along with other blood tests or additional tests.

In some cases, if your results are above or below normal limits, your doctor will refer you to a doctor who specializes in blood disorders (haematologist).