CBC includes Differential and Platelets with Pathologist Review

Also known as

CBC, Hemogram, CBC with Differential

This test is used to get a general idea of your health status. It is also used to screen, diagnose or monitor a variety of diseases that afflict the blood cells like anemia, infection, bleeding disorders, inflammation, or cancer. This is also a blood smear test that evaluates the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It helps in detecting and diagnosing any range of deficiencies, diseases, and disorders related to blood cell production.

When do you need to get tested?

The test may be ordered for a variety of reasons. This test is sometimes ordered as part of a routine medical exam. It is also ordered when you have symptoms related to diseases and disorders of blood cell production. It is also ordered in monitoring treatment, response to treatment, and gauging disease status when you are under treatment for diseases related to blood cell production.

Which kind of sample is required?

A blood sample is drawn from your arm using a syringe.

Do you need to prepare for the test?

There is no special preparation needed for the test.

What is being tested CBC(DIFF/PLT)W/PATH?

Complete blood count refers to a panel of tests that analyses the cells which are present in the blood. This includes three main components, namely red blood cells, also known as RBCs, white blood cells, also known as WBCs, and platelets, also known as PLTs. A complete blood count gives the doctor an idea of your overall health and helps in detecting a number of conditions and diseases, ranging from leukemia to infections and anemia. Blood cells are produced and reach maturity in the bone marrow. They are released by the bone marrow into the bloodstream as needed after they mature. Red blood cells are also known as erythrocytes. Made in the bone marrow, they are released in the blood cell when they mature. The primary function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen around the body. They contain a protein called hemoglobin which enables them to do so. A red blood cell lasts up to 120 days. The bone marrow must consistently produce red blood cells in order to replace those that have aged or have been degraded or lost through injury and bleeding. There are a variety of disorders that can cause a decline in the production of red blood cells and shorten their lifespan. In some cases, heavy bleeding may occur. Red blood cells have a uniform size and shape, but their appearance can be deformed by factors like deficiencies of vitamin B12, iron, and folate. White blood cells, on the other hand, are also known as leukocytes. These cells are present in the bloodstream, the tissues, and the lymphatic system. White blood cells constitute an essential part of the body’s immune system, which fights against foreign invaders. White blood cells play a pivotal role in protection against infections, inflammations, and allergic reactions. There are five categories of white blood cells, each of which performs a different function. These include monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and basophils. White blood cells are present in the blood at a continuum in stable numbers. However, this number may change in response to what is going on in the internal environment of the body. When there is an infection in the body, the bone marrow may produce a more significant number of neutrophils to attack the bacterial infection. In the case of allergens, there may be a greater number of eosinophils present in the body. Diseases also alter the number of white blood cells present in the body; in leukemia, the uniformity of cells also changes, as white blood cells, which are abnormal, multiply rapidly. Platelets are also called thrombocytes. These are small cell fragments that circulate in the blood and are crucial for normal blood clotting. In the case of injury, platelets clump together at the site of the wound to form a temporary plug. They also release signals which prompt the clumping of additional cells at the site until the injury heals. Low platelets in the blood can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.

How is the test used?

The CBC is carried out using an automated instrument that measures various parameters, ranging from blood cell counts to the physical composition and features of some cells. The red blood cell test typically includes:

A red blood cell count
The total amount of hemoglobin present in the blood
Hematocrit, which is the percentage of the blood which consists of red blood cells
The shape and features of red blood cells, including their mean corpuscular volume, which is their size; mean corpuscular hemoglobin, which is the amount of hemoglobin present; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, the average concentration of hemoglobin in the blood; and the red cell distribution, which is the variation in their size.
It may also include a reticulocyte count, which is the count of newly released RBCs in the blood.

The white blood cell test typically includes

The white blood cell count
The white blood cell differential, which identifies and counts the number of the five categories of white blood cells present in the blood. The figure is reported as an absolute count or a percentage of the total

The platelet test typically includes

The number of platelets in the blood
A mean platelet volume which reports their zie
Platelet distribution reflects how uniform they are in size

When is the test ordered?

It may be ordered as part of a routine examination or if you are showing signs of blood-related disorders and conditions. It can be ordered when you have fatigue, weakness, easy bruising, bleeding, or if you have inflammation or an infection.

What does the test result mean?

The test is interpreted with all of its components. Follow-up tests are usually ordered in light of the purpose of the test in the first place. The blood smear evaluation does not always identify a disease. In general, it points towards the presence of an underlying condition, its severity, and the need for further diagnostic testing.

Our clinical experts continually monitor the health and medical content posted on CURA4U, and we update our blogs and articles when new information becomes available. Last reviewed by Dr.Saad Zia on June 04, 2023.

References

Laboratory Productivity and the Rate of Manual Peripheral Blood Smear Review: A College of American Pathologists Q-Probes Study of 95 141 Complete Blood Count Determinations Performed in 263 Institutions | Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

https://meridian.allenpress.com/aplm/article/130/5/596/459831/Laboratory-Productivity-and-the-Rate-of-Manual

How Useful Are CBC and Reticulocyte Reports to Clinicians? | American Journal of Clinical Pathology | Oxford Academic

https://academic.oup.com/ajcp/article/118/5/787/1758645

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