CBC stands for Complete Blood Count. The CBC test gives complete information about the number of blood cells in a person. It is used to screen out various diseases related to blood cells.
An automated hematology analyzer is used to count the number of cells in the body. This test is performed to assess various medical conditions like anemia and leukemia etc.
What is meant by the CBC Test?
The CBC test gives a complete account of the following blood components;
- Red Blood Cells ( Carries oxygen)
- White Blood Cells ( Fights against infections )
- Hemoglobin ( Essential protein in red blood cells )
- Platelets ( Prevents bleeding )
- Hematocrit ( Percentage of red cells in the blood )
These cells can help in diagnosing various conditions in the body such as anemia, leukemia, and many infections. CBC tests can highlight the unusual fall in blood count. This can assist the doctor in the differential diagnosis.
What are the Benefits of CBC Tests?
The CBC test is used as the most common laboratory test and the following are some of its benefits;
1. Helps to Manage Anemia
The CBC test can be really beneficial to diagnose anemia. The unhealthy cells in this condition are unable to carry oxygen regularly to the body.
And through CBC, experts can advise their patients to do effective practices in anemia to increase the blood cell count.
Also in conditions like pregnancy, there is a risk of mild and severe anemia for the mother. This can cause some serious consequences for the developing fetus as well.
In this scenario, the CBC test can be used to detect the blood count of the mother in order to take immediate action for their health.
2. Diagnosis of Nutritional Deficiency
The doctors may advise the patients to get CBC tests to check deficiencies of different nutrients or vitamins.
The results of the CBC test will help to rule out any nutritional deficiencies such as osteomalacia and hypocalcemia.
After seeing the blood count of the patients, they may be asked to follow a healthy diet plan and eat nutrients rich foods to meet the nutritional requirements of their bodies.
You may also see – Causes of Leukopenia
3. Detect Blood Count in Infections
This test can also be beneficial to assess the condition caused by viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections ie. dengue, and malaria.
This may enlighten the doctor about the abnormal number of white blood cells in the body of the patient. In these conditions, there is an excessive drop out of white blood cells in the human body.
The early detection of this condition through a CBC test may lead to dealing accurately with these deadly conditions. As the consequences of lesser white blood cells in the body are highly fatal.
4. Aids to Diagnose Bone Marrow Disorders
Sometimes, there are some sudden changes in the organ systems of the body. The damaged organs can affect the production of bone marrow in your body.
Bone marrow is basically soft tissue inside the bones that makes red blood cells and platelets in the body. This test can easily see the low blood count in the body because of this abnormality in the organ systems.
And as a result of this test, patients will try an effective management strategy for this condition.
Also, Check – Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Test
5. Diagnose the Bleeding Disorders
The CBC test is used to find out the real cause of the diseases such as if a person is experiencing pain, discomfort, unusual appearance of wounds, bruising, or bleeding then this test may give a guide towards the root cause of these symptoms.
Apart from this, a CBC test is also used to detect blood count when there is a risk of damage to blood cells because of a bleeding disorder.
6. To Keep a Check on Medical Records
When a doctor has given some kind of new medication to the patient, this test may be needed to get an indication that there is a need for a blood or platelet transfusion.
It is widely used by doctors to keep track of the blood count of patients in chemotherapy or other specific cancer treatments
Then CBC test is also performed to see if there are any side effects from these medications on the body such as less production of red and white blood cells.
Moreover, this test is advised by many doctors in order to rule out if a medical condition has been caused by an abnormality in blood cells or not.
Read about – Hematocrit Test
Are there any Risks associated with CBC Test?
Generally, the CBC test is safe and there are no risks involved in it. The doctor will ask for 0.5 cc of blood to do this test. It may cause a minute of pain in your skin.
Apart from this, there are no serious complications involved in it. It is also worth noting that weakness may be reported during pregnancy and menstruation or in anemic patients after this test. But after some time they will be completely fine.
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