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ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX
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CBC

Overview Risks Results
Alternative Names:
Complete blood count
Normal Values:
  • RBC (varies with altitude):
    • male: 4.7 to 6.1 million cells/mcL
    • female: 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL
  • WBC: 4,500 to 10,000 cells/mcL
  • Hematocrit (varies with altitude):
    • male: 40.7 to 50.3 %
    • female: 36.1 to 44.3 %
  • Hemoglobin (varies with altitude):
    • male: 13.8 to 17.2 gm/dL
    • female: 12.1 to 15.1 gm/dL
  • MCV: 80 to 95 femtoliter
  • MCH: 27 to 31 pg/cell
  • MCHC: 32 to 36 gm/dL
Note:
cells/mcL = cells per microliter
gm/dL = grams per deciliter
pg/cell = picograms per cell
What abnormal results mean:
High numbers of RBCs may indicate: Low numbers of RBCs may indicate: Low numbers of WBCs (leukopenia) may indicate:
  • Bone marrow failure (for example, due to infection, tumor or fibrosis)
  • Presence of cytotoxic substance
  • Autoimmune/collagen-vascular diseases (such as lupus erythematosus)
  • Disease of the liver or spleen
  • Radiation exposure
High numbers of WBCs (leukocytosis) may indicate: Low hematocrit may indicate:
  • Anemia (various types)
  • Blood loss (hemorrhage)
  • Bone marrow failure (for example, due to radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor)
  • Hemolysis (RBC destruction) related to transfusion reaction
  • Leukemia
  • Malnutrition or specific nutritional deficiency
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
High hematocrit may indicate:
  • Dehydration
    • Burns
    • Diarrhea
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Low oxygen tension (smoking, congenital heart disease, living at high altitudes)
Low hemoglobin values may indicate:
  • Anemia (various types)
  • Blood loss
The test may be performed under many different conditions and in the assessment of many different diseases.
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Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells
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Red blood cells, tear-drop shape
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Red blood cells, spherocytosis
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Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells
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