Complete Blood Count (CBC)/Hemogram Test
About CBC and Hemogram
CBC test and Hemogram are used to measure various blood components.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a common blood test and a part of routine health check-up. CBC can help detect a wide range of diseases like infections, anaemia, immune system disorders, and blood cancers.
Hemogram test includes a CBC test and an Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). Erythrocyte is a type of blood cell made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood. The CBC test, on the other hand, does not include ESR.
The CBC/ Hemogram is an important comprehensive blood panel used to evaluate each type of blood cell in your blood by measuring the number of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets (PLT). These blood cell types perform important functions, so this test is used to diagnose a range of health conditions and monitor how the body is affected by different diseases or medical treatments. Therefore, getting your blood panel test is recommended to prevent and treat a variety of blood diseases.
What is CBC/ Hemogram used for?
CBC/ Hemogram is used for the diagnosis, screening, and monitoring of conditions such as:
Anaemia
Bone marrow and blood disorders like thalassemias and sickle cell
Cancers like leukemia and lymphoma
Infections
Chemotherapy side effects
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Who should get tested?
A CBC/ Hemogram is recommended for individuals having the following symptoms
Bruising or bleeding
Dizziness
Fatigue
Fever
Vomiting/Nausea
Swelling and irritation anywhere in the body.
Joint pain
Heart problems
Test preparation
No specific preparation is required for this test
Interpretation of results
Parameters |
Normal blood counts |
RBC count (Male) |
4.7 to 6.1 million cells/mcL |
RBC count (Female) |
4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL |
WBC count |
4,500 to 10,000 cells/mcL |
Hematocrit (Male) |
40.7% to 50.3% |
Hematocrit (Female) |
36.1% to 44.3% |
Hemoglobin (Male) |
13.8 to 17.2 gm/dL |
Hemoglobin (Female) |
12.1 to 15.1 gm/dL |
MCV |
80 to 95 femtoliter |
MCH |
27 to 31 pg/cell |
MCHC |
32 to 36 gm/dL |
Platelet count |
150,000 to 450,000/dL |
Blood counts may vary with altitude and the above values are common measurements for results of these tests. The normal ranges may differ slightly among various laboratories.
Deviation from normal levels indicates the following:
·      Abnormal levels of haemoglobin, haematocrit or RBCs can be signs of anaemia, heart disease, or iron deficiency.
·      Low white blood cell count might be caused due to a bone marrow disorder, autoimmune disorder, or cancer.
·      High white blood cell count may be because of an inflammation, infection, or a reaction to a medication.
FAQs
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the results of CBC/ Hemogram test?
Results of a CBC/Hemogram are usually available within 1-2 working days, although it could take longer at times
What are the risks associated with CBC/ Hemogram test?
This test involves negligible risk. There might be slight pain or tenderness around the site where the needle was inserted. Rarely, the site can become infected.
What are the benefits of this CBC/ Hemogram test?
A complete blood panel test provides a picture of your overall health. It can help detect hundreds of conditions, disorders, and infections. CBC/Hemogram is used by doctors to monitor patient’s health, screen for disease, plan and adjust treatment
Should I be concerned if my CBC/Hemogram test result is abnormal?
If your CBC/Hemogram test results are abnormal, it might be because of an underlying medical condition like cancer or inflammatory health conditions. Your healthcare provider will consider your medical history, symptoms, and other factors to make a diagnosis and may order additional tests to determine the cause of your abnormal blood count levels.
Can a CBC detect a heart problem?
A complete blood count test can be used to detect heart complications. In particular, it can detect CHF (congestive heart failure) as it detects anaemia and similar symptoms that is known to cause CHF