Complete Blood Count:A complete blood count (CBC) provides a set of values representing the cellular components of blood. These measurements are typically obtained using advanced machines that quickly analyze the various elements of blood, usually in under a minute. The CBC generally includes the following values:- White Blood Cell Count (WBC): This measures the number of white blood cells in a given volume of blood. While the normal range can vary slightly between laboratories, it typically falls between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per cubic millimeter (cmm). This is also known as the leukocyte count and may be expressed in international units as 4.3 - 10.8 x 10⁹ cells per liter.- Automated White Cell Differential: This is a machine-generated breakdown of the different types of white blood cells, usually categorized as granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.- Red Blood Cell Count (RBC): This measures the number of red blood cells in a given blood volume. The normal range slightly varies among laboratories, generally between 4.2 - 5.9 million cells per cmm, or in international units as 4.2 - 5.9 x 10¹² cells per liter.- Hemoglobin (Hb): This measures the amount of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport and blood’s red color. Normal hemoglobin ranges differ by sex, with approximately 13 - 18 grams per deciliter for men and 12 - 16 for women (8.1 - 11.2 millimoles/liter for men, 7.4 - 9.9 for women).- Hematocrit (Hct): This is the ratio of the volume of red cells to the total blood volume. Normal ranges are approximately 45 - 52% for men and 37 - 48% for women.- Mean Cell Volume (MCV): This calculated value represents the average volume of a red blood cell, derived from the hematocrit and red cell count. Normal range is 86 - 98 femtoliters.- Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH): This calculated value indicates the average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell, derived from the hemoglobin and red cell count measurements. Normal range is 27 - 32 picograms.- Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): This calculated value reflects the average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red cells, derived from hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements. Normal range is 32 - 36%.- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): This measures the variation in red cell size, with higher values indicating greater size variability. The normal range is 11 - 15%.- Platelet Count: This measures the number of platelets in a blood volume. Platelets, which are fragments from a cell known as a megakaryocyte found in the bone marrow, play a crucial role in blood clotting. The normal range, slightly varying between laboratories, is 150,000 - 400,000 per cmm (150 - 400 x 10⁹ per liter).
