Blood cell counts give your doctor important clues about the state of your health before, during and after treatment. Blood counts alone can't determine whether you have a blood cancer, but they can alert your doctor if further testing is needed. A complete blood count (CBC) is the number and types of cells circulating in your
blood. Your CBC is measured using laboratory tests that require a small blood sample. Blood is composed of several types of cells: A CBC also tests hemoglobin and hematocrit:
Normal Blood CountsNormal blood counts fall within a range established by testing healthy men and women of all ages. The cell counts are compared to those of healthy individuals of similar age and sex. Nearly all lab reports include a "normal" range or high and low "values" to help you understand test results. Normal Ranges of Blood Cell Counts for Healthy Adults and Children
1The ratio of hematocrit to hemoglobin is about 3 to 1. White Cell DifferentialDifferential count, sometimes referred to as a "diff," is a breakdown of the different types of white cells. A white cell (WBC) differential also checks whether white cells appear normal. The five types of white cells and the approximate percentage they make up in the blood are:
Until children are more than 4 years old, they have a higher percentage of lymphocytes in their blood than adults do. How Blood Cancers Affect Blood CountsBlood cancers can affect blood cell counts in a number of ways, either lowering or increasing measurements. If you're currently receiving cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, drug therapy or radiation, your blood counts will be affected. Blood counts usually return to normal after treatment is complete. Should You Keep Track of Your Blood Counts?Some people want to know the results of their blood count tests so they can take preventive measures to protect their health or to what's causing their symptoms. For example:
Noncancerous ConditionsAbout 5 percent of healthy people will have test results outside of the "normal" range. If one or more of your blood cell counts is higher or lower than normal, your doctor will try to find out why. Many noncancerous conditions can contribute to low or high blood cell counts, such as those in the table below.
What type of leukemia causes low platelets?Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can cause many different signs and symptoms.. Bruises (or small red or purple spots) on the skin.. Excess bleeding.. Frequent or severe nosebleeds.. Bleeding gums.. Heavy periods (menstrual bleeding) in women.. What diseases does a high white blood cell count indicate?A high white blood count may mean you have one of the following conditions:. A bacterial or viral infection.. An inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.. An allergy.. Leukemia or Hodgkin disease.. Tissue damage from a burn injury or surgery.. Do the white blood cells affect platelets?These data suggest that WBCs significantly affect the metabolic activity of platelet concentrates and that the quality of stored platelets can be improved by reducing the number of contaminating leukocytes. Measurement of leukocytes may be important in quality control of platelet concentrates.
What is an alarming white blood cell count?How many white blood cells (WBCs) someone has varies, but the normal range is usually between 4,000 and 11,000 per microliter of blood. A blood test that shows a WBC count of less than 4,000 per microliter (some labs say less than 4,500) could mean your body may not be able to fight infection the way it should.
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