Complete Blood Count (725)

Measures and reports the following:

• White Blood Cell (WBC): White blood cells, or leukocytes, function as phagocytes of bacteria, fungi and viruses.
• Red Blood Cell (RBC): Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, are cells that circulate in the blood and carry oxygen throughout the body. A relatively stable number of red blood cells are maintained in the circulation by increasing or decreasing the rate of production by the bone marrow.
• Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein found in all red blood cells that enables them to bind to oxygen in the lungs and carry it to tissues and organs throughout the body.
• Hematocrit: Hematocrit is a measurement of the proportion of the blood that is made up of red blood cells and is dependent on the number of and size of the red blood cells.
• MCV: The mean red blood cell volume, mean corpuscular volume or MCV, is an evaluation of the average size of each red blood cell.
• MCH: Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is a calculation of the average amount of hemoglobin inside a single red blood cell.
• MCHC: Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a calculation of the average amount of hemoglobin in the RBCs compared to the average size of the RBCs.
• RDW: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a numerical measure of the size variability of circulating red blood cells.
• Platelets: Platelets are very small cells found in the blood and are essential for normal blood clotting.
• MPV: The mean platelet volume is an evaluation of the average size of each platelet.

Methodology
Impedance and Flow Cytometry

• White Blood Cell (WBC): A low white blood cell count may result from bone marrow disorders, lymphoma and HIV. A high white blood cell count may result from infections, inflammation, leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms and allergic responses.
• Red Blood Cell (RBC): Low levels of RBC may be seen in anemias, hemoglobinopathy, iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies, bone marrow damage or disorders, chronic inflammatory diseases and kidney failure. Elevated RBC may be associated with dehydration, pulmonary disease, congenital heart disease, smoking, and polycythemia vera.
• Hemoglobin: The hemoglobin test is often used to check for anemia, usually along with a hematocrit or as part of a complete blood count. Low hemoglobin level may be due blood loss, chronic kidney disease, bone marrow disorders or iron, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 deficiencies. A high hemoglobin level is most often caused by hypoxia, polycythemia vera, dehydration and smoking.
• Hematocrit: The hematocrit test is often used to check for anemia, usually along with a hemoglobin or as part of a complete blood count. Low hemoglobin level may be due blood loss, chronic kidney disease, bone marrow disorders or iron, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 deficiencies. A high hemoglobin level is most often caused by hypoxia, polycythemia vera, dehydration and smoking.
• MCV: A low MCV indicates microcytic RBCs which may be due to iron deficiency anemia or thalassemias. An elevated MCV indicates macrocytic RBCs which may be seen in anemia caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, myelodysplasia, liver disease and hypothyroidism.
• MCH: Mirrors MCV results.
• MCHC: May be low when MCV is low; decreased MCHC values are seen in conditions such as iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia. Increased MCHC values are seen in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, in burn patients, and hereditary spherocytosis.
• RDW: Increased RDW is believed to be closely associated with the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with previous myocardial infarction. A low value indicates uniformity in size of RBCs. A high value Indicates a mixed population of small and large RBC which can signify iron
• Platelets: A platelet count is part of a complete blood count and may be used to screen for or diagnose various diseases and conditions that can cause problems with clot formation. A low platelet count may be a results of bone marrow disorders. A high platelet count may be caused by cancer, anemia, chronic inflammatory diseases, oral contraceptives, myeloproliferative disorders.