Also called a complete blood count, the blood count is a blood test that is often referred to by the acronym “CBC”. It is a biological examination making it possible to count the blood elements. It makes it possible to quantify red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells, but also to evaluate certain parameters such as the deficiency or excess of certain cells. This is also the reason why it is recommended to do blood tests.
What is the role of the blood count?
The CBC or blood count is that blood test that provides information to people about their general health. The information obtained concerns the volume of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and lymphocytes (white blood cells). To ignore the importance of this blood test is in many cases to ignore the state of your immune system. The reason is that it is possible to find signs suggestive of several diseases. The blood test collects the following information:
- The volume of red blood cells or erythrocytes. These are the blood cells that are responsible for transporting oxygen from the air to supply all of the body's tissues;
- The volume of white blood cells or leukocytes. These are the defense cells of the human organism. They are the defenders against external attacks from microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc. However, some microorganisms are particularly useful for fermentation or defense against certain aggressive organisms;
- Finally, there are blood platelets, these are cells that allow the primary clotting of the blood.
These information can easily be found on college biology textbook PDFs The blood count also makes it possible to study other parameters like the MCV (mean corpuscular volume), the TCMH (the mean Hb content) and the CCMH (mean Hb concentration) which are erythrocyte parameters that allow to appreciate the iron content of the red blood cell.
What are the benefits of blood tests from the analysis of a blood count?
With the results of the CBC, it is possible to know several elements relating to your state of health. The first thing you need to know about anemia is a blood count . This is defined as a very low hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin (Hb) is a molecule found in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs. However, the increase in hemoglobin takes another name: the polycythemia .
Second, the CBC checks for an increase in white blood cells which can cause infection, or inflammation, the main cause of a hematologic “blood disease “. In another situation, the increase explains the very advanced stage of a disease since a decrease in white blood cells reveals an alteration of the body's immune defenses. The CBC also makes it possible to measure the increase in platelets which is very often synonymous with the risk of bleeding.
This examination reveals a real list of information relating to your state of health. In fact, it is a very popular exam. However, this requires that you take an examination in a qualified laboratory so that the results are strictly compliant. A blood test on an empty stomach allows the laboratory technicians to do this CBC in the best conditions. This guarantees a conclusive examination. The blood test must be done on an empty stomach at least 8 am and preferably in the morning except in emergencies.