Hematology Complete Blood Count Test Needed
Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a test demanded by a physician or a medical professional with a view of obtaining crucial information about various cells in a patient’s blood. A qualified lab technician performs the desired testing and gives the medical professional with the outcomes of the testing. A CBC is also referred to as “hemogram”.
A CBC presents a holistic picture of patient’s blood that helps in diagnosing the condition in more precise manner. Also known as Full Blood Count (FBC) or Automated Blood Count (ABC), CBC provides essential information about the exact count of cells present in human blood.
Cells that flow in the bloodstream are usually of three types, namely erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets). Overwhelmingly high or low counts of these cells point out towards the presence of range of disease. Owing to its capability of providing significant information about a patient’s general health, CBC is one of the most commonly used blood tests requested by doctors. However, in some regions, CBC is generally performed on a routine basis.
Methods Involved In CBC
* Taking Samples – First of all, a phlebotomist takes the sample of patient’s blood in a test tube containing some anticoagulant compound, like EDTA or citrate. This anticoagulant compounds prevents the coagulation of blood thereby help the professionals study blood sample accurately. Sample so collected is transferred to laboratory for further testing procedures.
In laboratory, the sample is studied for counting different constituent cells of the blood sample provided. Earlier counting was performed manually by studying the sample slides under a microscope. But, the task has been simplified with the introduction of automated analyzer for the purpose.
* Automated Counting Procedures – In automated methods, a blood sample is mixed thoroughly and located on a bracket in the automated analyzer. This equipment boasts of distinct components to study various constituents present in blood. It is equipped to count the type and number of cells present in a provided sample
Though these automated analyzers are known to provide accurate results, some abnormal cells don’t show apt results with the equipment. These cells can only be studied with the help of manual counting procedures.
* Manual Counting Procedures – These procedures include a number of counting chambers that can hold some specified volume of diluted blood. Blood samples in these chambers are viewed under a microscope to present the exact cell count in a given blood sample.
Test Results
On the basis of cell counts obtained by the above procedures, a physician diagnoses the type of disease a patient is suffering from. Any abnormality in these cell-counts indicates towards some form blood diseases. Decrease in the RBC count, for instance, is referred to as erythroblastopenia, better known as anemia.
Similarly decrease of WBC count in a human body lead to leukopenia. As WBC forms majority of protective brigade for human body, any disturbance in its count directly impinges upon the immune system of human body. On the other hand, as thrombocytes are responsible for blood coagulation, abnormality in its count lead to some serious troubles in the process of blood clotting.