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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffA complete blood count is a common blood test that's done for a variety of reasons:
- To assess your overall health. Your doctor may recommend a complete blood count as part of a routine medical examination to monitor your general health and to screen for a variety of disorders, such as anemia or leukemia.
- To diagnose a medical condition. Your doctor may suggest a complete blood count if you're experiencing weakness, fatigue, fever, inflammation, bruising or bleeding. A complete blood count may help diagnose the cause of these signs and symptoms. If your doctor suspects you have an infection, the test can also help confirm that diagnosis.
- To monitor a medical condition. If you've been diagnosed with a blood disorder that affects blood cell counts, such as thalassemia or polycythemia vera, your doctor may use complete blood counts to monitor your condition.
- To monitor medical treatment. A complete blood count may be used to monitor your health if you're taking medications that may affect blood cell counts.
References
- Nicoll D, et al. Complete blood cell count. In: Nicoll D, et al. Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=3135998. Accessed Dec. 10, 2010
- Complete blood count. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cbc/test.html. Accessed Dec. 10, 2010.
- Fischbach FT. Blood studies: Hematology and coagulation. In: Fischbach FT. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:58.
- Laboratory reference values. Hematology group. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; December 2010.
- Mesa RA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz. Dec. 10, 2010.
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