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Al Borg Diagnostics
Complete Blood Count: What Does It Reveal?
Have you received the results of a Complete blood count? You may need help understanding the numbers and terms in the count. This article will provide essential details about what a comprehensive blood count reveals
Complete Blood Count: What Does It Reveal?
A Complete blood count (CBC) shows various levels and characteristics of the blood. Read on as we explain each part of the test:
1. Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
This part shows the number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Normal levels for males range from 4.35 to 5.65 trillion cells per liter of blood, while for females, the levels range from 3.92 to 5.13 trillion cells per liter of blood. However, higher or lower levels may indicate specific health problems, such as:(1)(2)
- Low levels of red blood cells: This disorder indicates anemia caused by iron deficiency, kidney diseases, malnutrition, internal bleeding, or low levels of vitamin B6, B12, or folic acid.
- High levels of red blood cells: Elevated levels can be associated with excessive smoking, dehydration, congenital heart diseases, pulmonary fibrosis, or low oxygen levels in the blood.
2. White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
This part of the analysis indicates the number of white blood cells in the blood. White blood cells fight infections and other diseases in the body. Normal levels for both genders range from 3.4 billion to 9.6 billion cells per liter of blood. However, deviations from these levels can reveal the following conditions:(1)(3)
- Low levels of white blood cells: Low levels indicate alcohol consumption, liver damage, autoimmune diseases like lupus, bone marrow failure due to infection, tumors, liver and spleen diseases, virus-induced inflammation, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
- High levels of white blood cells: Elevated levels can be associated with medications like cortisone, infections, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, blood cancer, tissue damage, or psychological stress.
3. Platelets
This part refers to the platelet count in the blood. Platelets are small-sized blood cells responsible for blood clotting, essential in stopping bleeding. The normal levels of platelets in males range from 135 billion per liter of blood to 317 billion per liter of blood, while in females, they range from 157 billion per liter of blood to 371 billion per liter of blood. Abnormal platelet levels indicate the following:(1)(3)(4)
- Low platelet levels: can indicate pregnancy, splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), bone marrow failure, or chemotherapy medication.
- High platelet levels: can indicate internal or external bleeding in the body, cancer, bone marrow disorders, or iron deficiency.
4. Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is closely associated with red blood cells because it is carried inside them. It is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body’s cells and transporting carbon dioxide in the opposite direction from cells to the lungs.
The normal hemoglobin levels in males range from 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter of blood, while in females, they range from 12 to 16 grams per deciliter of blood. If your levels are higher or lower than these ranges, it may indicate the following:(5)(6)
- Low hemoglobin levels: Low hemoglobin levels can indicate iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, bleeding, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid gland dysfunction, or thalassemia.
- High hemoglobin levels: can be associated with polycythemia vera (a type of blood cancer), lung diseases, burns, excessive vomiting, dehydration, excessive smoking, or excessive exercise.
5. Hematocrit
Hematocrit is also related to red blood cells and represents the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. The normal levels of hematocrit range from 41% to 50% in males and from 36% to 48% in females. An increase or decrease in this ratio beyond the normal range indicates the same conditions associated with disorders in red blood cell levels mentioned in our article. (7)(1)
It is important to note that the disorders in the above blood test results can range from mild to moderate to severe.
It may or may not be associated with any alarming conditions, so it is important not to worry when noticing a disorder. Instead, consult a specialist doctor to determine your health condition.
Summary of Normal Blood Test Readings
Here is a summary of the normal levels for a complete blood count in the following table:
| Cells | Normal Level in Males | Normal Level in Females |
|---|---|---|
| Red Blood Cells (Trillion cells per liter) | 4.35 - 5.65 | 3.92 - 5.13 |
| White Blood Cells (Billion cells per liter) | 3.4 - 9.6 | 3.4 - 9.6 |
| Platelets (Billion per liter) | 135 - 317 | 157 - 371 |
| Hemoglobin (grams per deciliter of blood) | 13.5 - 17.5 | 12 - 16 |
| Hematocrit (%) | %41 - %50 | %36 - %48 |
Importance of Complete Blood Count
After discussing details about Complete Blood Count, it is important to note that this test is essential to detect a wide range of medical conditions, disorders, and inflammations. Moreover, it contributes to developing an appropriate treatment plan, monitoring it, and adjusting accordingly. (8)
Therefore, do not hesitate to visit any Al-Borg Diagnostics branches to undergo a complete blood count analysis and choose the suitable for you from Sehaty Programs. The laboratories offer many tests with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency.
References:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complete-blood-count/about/pac-20384919
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/red-blood-count/#:~:text=A%20low%20RBC%20count%20could,to%20meet%20their%20body’s%20needs).
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/cbc-blood-test#:~:text=A%20complete%20blood%20count%20(CBC,of%20hemoglobin%20in%20the%20blood
- https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/platelet-tests/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/blood-tests#top-blood-tests
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/ar/tests-procedures/hemoglobin-test/about/pac-20385075
- https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/hematocrit.html#:~:text=Hematocrit%20is%20the%20percentage%20by,percentages%20of%20each%20can%20vary.
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4053-complete-blood-count
- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/CBC-test-abnormality-breakdown_tbl2_272515803
