The CBC is a group of tests that examine the cells that circulate in blood, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (PLTs). The CBC, along with other lab tests, can evaluate your overall health and detect a variety of conditions, such as infections, anemia, and leukemia. [...] Blood cells are made in the bone marrow, the center of large bones, and are normally released into the bloodstream as needed. [...] This is measured by three main tests. Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count is the total number of RBCs in a blood sample. [...] Hemoglobin (HGB) is a protein in RBCs that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. [...] Hematocrit (HCT) measures the percentage of total blood volume taken up by RBCs. A high RBC Count is common for people who live at high altitude. [...] They help protect against infections and also have a role in inflammation and allergic reactions. There are five different types of WBCs and each has a different function: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils. White Blood Cell (WBC) Count is the total number of WBCs in a blood sample. [...] A high WBC Count usually means that the body is fighting an infection. [...] A very low WBC Count can be caused by problems with the bone marrow. [...] This condition, called cytopenia or leukopenia, means that the body is less able to fight off infections. The WBC Differential identifies and counts the number of the five types of WBCs present in the blood sample. [...] The percentages are multiplied by the WBC Count to get absolute counts. For example, with 30% lymphocytes and a WBC Count of 10,000, absolute lymphocytes are 30% of 10,000, or 3,000.
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