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One of the most common test ordered by doctors is the Complete Blood Count (CBC). Ever wonder what all of those numbers mean on your lab report?

Usually your doctor will order a lab test that says something like this: CBC with diff. and platelets. This means he wants the lab to measure the level of several different kinds of cells in your blood: white cells, red cells and platelets.

White Blood Cells

The WBC help destroy any bacteria or organism that might enter the blood. They are part of your immune system.

There are several types of white blood cells, but the most commonly counted is the neutrophil. Up to 60% of your white blood cells are neutrophils. The normal count is from 5,000 to 10,000 per square millimeter (5,000-10,000/mm2). The lab report may simply state it as 5-10.

Differentials

When the doctor orders a “diff”, or differential count, he wants the lab to count all of the different kinds of white cells in your blood. Not just the neutrophils.

Red Blood Cells

Hemoglobin

The RBCs are made in the spongy part of your bones called the marrow. Inside these red cells is an iron rich protein called hemoglobin, or Hgb for short. The hemoglobin’s job is to pick up oxygen from your lungs and take it to the cells in your body. On the return trip it carries away carbon dioxide from the cells.

Hemoglobin is measured by weight. The normal level for men is 14-18 grams for every one-tenth of a liter (deciliter) of blood. Normal for women is a little lower: 12-16 g/dl.

Hematocrit

The hematocrit level is the percent of your blood that is made up of red blood cells. The lab report will just call it HCT. Normal for men is from 42% to 50%. Women have lower levels, from 36% to 45%.

 When your red blood cell count is low, it is said that you have anemia.

Platelets

These are cells that combine with other blood products and become very sticky so they can plug up leaks. When you cut yourself they are the ones that create the blood clots. The normal count for men and women is between 150,000 and 400,000. The lab report will shorten this to just 150-400.

If your platelets count is low, you will bleed or bruise very easily when you get bumped. If your level is as low as 10,000 to 20,000, your doctor will probably order a blood transfusion for you. When your platelet levels are very low, it is said that you have Thrombocytopenia.

The CBC test with differential and platelets is very common because of its usefulness in diagnosing many different conditions.

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