How to Read CBC Results?
- Hemoglobin (Hb)
Measures oxygen-carrying capacity
- Low Hb: Anemia & nutritional deficiencies
- High Hb: Dehydration, smoking & altitude adaptation
- Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Indicates oxygen transport ability
- Low RBC: Anemia & chronic disease
- High RBC: Dehydration & respiratory issues
- Hematocrit (HCT)
Percentage of RBCs in the blood
- Low levels: Anemia
- High levels: Dehydration & polycythemia
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
Variation in RBC size
- High RDW: Iron deficiency anemia
- White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
Assesses immunity
- High WBC: Infection & stress
- Low WBC: Viral infections & marrow suppression
- Differential WBC Count
Breakdown of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, basophils
Helps identify:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Allergies
- Parasitic infection
- Hematologic cancers
- Platelet Count
Assesses clotting
- Low platelets: Dengue, viral infections & immune disorders
- High platelets: Inflammation & bone marrow disorders