MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 20, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
home > complete blood count index > complete blood count article
Font Size
A
A
A



Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Medical Author: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPH
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

What Does a High White Platelet Count Mean?

Medical Author: Benjamin Wedro, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to assist in diagnosing certain diseases and conditionsViewer Question: What are some of the potential diagnoses when a person has a high platelet count? (Platelet count approximately 420?)

Dr. Stöppler's Response: Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 109 per liter), but the normal range for the platelet count varies slightly among different laboratories.

Read more about high platelet count »

What is the complete blood count test (CBC)?

The complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests. The complete blood count is the calculation of the cellular (formed elements) of blood. These calculations are generally determined by special machines that analyze the different components of blood in less than a minute.

A major portion of the complete blood count is the measure of the concentration of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood.

How is the complete blood count test (CBC) done?

The complete blood count (CBC) test is performed by obtaining a few milliliters (one to two teaspoons) of blood sample directly form the patient. It can be done in many settings including the doctor's office,  laboratories, and hospitals. The skin is wiped clean with an alcohol pad, and then a needle is inserted through the area of cleansed skin into to patient's vein (one that can be visualized from the skin.) The blood is then pulled from the needle by a syringe or by a connection to a special vacuumed vial where it is collected. This sample is then taken to the laboratory for analysis.




Next: What are the components of the complete blood count (CBC)? »

Complete Blood Count - Helped With Your Diagnosis

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe how a Complete Blood Count has helped in your diagnosis.

Anonymously share your comment to help others. Patient Discussions FAQs
Be the first to submit a comment

Submit Your Comment


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • simvastatin, Zocor - Read about the medication simvastatin (Zocor) a cholesterol- lowering drug used to inhibit the production of cholesterol by the liver. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
  • Hemoglobin - Read about hemoglobin - the protein molecule in red blood cells. Learn what normal, low, and high level hemoglobin counts mean on MedicineNet.com
  • Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.
Read more Complete Blood Count related articles »

Latest Medical News


Privacy Policy

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.

Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain


From WebMD

Medical Test Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Dizziness »

Introduction to dizziness (feeling dizzy)

Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms that will prompt an individual to visit a doctor. The term dizzy (or dizziness) can be difficult to define because it can mean different things to different people. Does feeling dizzy refer to lightheadedness, the feeling of weakness and almost passing out, or does it refer to vertigo (in which the room or the person seems to spin)?

Dizziness (lightheadedness) is often caused by a decrease in blood supply to the brain, while vertigo is caused by disturbances of the inner ear and the balance centers of the brain.

It is necessary for patients and health care practitioners to work together to understand the specific symptoms a patient is experiencing in order to make the correct diagnosis and treatment.

What are some common causes of dizziness?

While classifying dizziness into physiologic categories may help understand ...

Read the Dizziness article »









Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.