Whats included in a cbc?

Are you suddenly tasked to take a blood test and don’t even know what CBC stands for? Don’t worry; it’s not some sports league or gaming app. It means Complete Blood Count, and generally speaking, it is done to check your overall health status.

Here’s everything you need to know about CBC:

What is CBC?

The Complete Blood Count is one of the most common laboratory tests that doctors order. This test involves taking a small sample of blood from your vein and analyzing it in the lab.

CBC can provide information that confirms or rules out medical conditions, including infections, anemia, leukemia, clotting disorders, cancerous tumors in the bone marrow (Yikes!), immune system problems (double yikes!), etc.

A typical complete blood count includes measuring red cells’ number (erythrocytes), white cells (leukocytes), platelets (thrombocytes), hemoglobin level (the stuff responsible for our dark red color) and volume distribution (who knows).

Why get a CBC?

Say your doctor wants you to have this test -why should you agree? If so many items are tested within one procedure (Efficiency at its best).

  • To monitor how medications like chemotherapy are affecting specific body metrics.
  • To check if there any nutritional deficiencies or excesses.
  • As part of routine follow-up after illness or treatment.
  • If abnormal menstrual activities have been occurring
  • Because low iron counts may reduce iron storage

How Do I Prepare For A CBC Test?

CBC doesn’t require much preparation on your end-which makes things easier. Regardless:

Fast before testing

No fasting rule needs adherence before getting done with such examinations.

Discuss Your Medications With The Doctor Or Technician Before Testing

Although certain drugs don’t affect results based on research studies conducted recently. Providing additional details concerning ongoing medication is highly suggested.

Timing

Keep in mind that most doctors prefer you get the exam done before 9 AM as many laboratory lines can be jam-packed, and multiple requisites to complete.

What To Expect During A CBC Test

The Draw:

You’ll be asked to extend your arm with a rolled sleeve. As there are smaller veins found in humans (even elephants!), numerous attempts may have to take place momentarily for proper blood flow from such veins.

Depending on how fast or slow their team of experts moves (get ready! For those who get queasy), this process would last only 5-7 minutes altogether. If newly trained technicians perform said procedure; that’s where things might go awry. So why not enjoy watching them ‘take the shot?’ – as long it doesn’t turn into an episode of ‘Botched’ (referring to a TV show here).

Post testing activities:

After all has been completed marvel away at the bandage plastered onto your vein!(Yes don’t rip it off just yet)-so what next? This varies according to specialists where they deem fit-however, patients must stay hydrated throughout (Think copious amounts of water even though someone needs to run off for sudden nature calls) after this entire ordeal.

Understanding Your Complete Blood Count Results

When acquiring test findings through lab reports, it lists each countable entrant under different columns added up till said report ends showing graphical representations utilized by prominent hospitals and medical centers nowadays (yay technology).

Below are several criteria listed within CBC scores:

  • White blood cell count : Prevents infection
  • Red cell metrics
  • Hemoglobin measures oxygen-carrying quantity.
  • Hematocrit Volume measures number of cells present
  • Platelet measures clotting ability

These results come together when individual input + other inputs looked into-thus helping achieve a sense of overall health for the patient (Impressive how one lab test can cover this much ground.)

Conclusion

Although CBC tests sound scary, they are necessary to help uncover and rule out numerous illnesses that standstill-hidden without proper examination. It is therefore imperative not to lose nerve before getting poked with needles-who knows what underlying conditions might have elected your body as their home base. So be wise-health is wealth!

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