The Complete-Blood-Count-Test (CBC) – Understanding This Integral Health Tool

What Is A CBC?

A CBC, also known as a “total blood count”, “complete blood panel,” or “differential blood count”, is a comprehensive analysis of your blood components. It goes beyond a simple blood test by providing detailed information about the white blood cells in your blood, which are a significant part of your immune system. [1]

Complete-Blood-Count-Test — What Is Tested?

• Erythrocytes (red blood cells): They are responsible for transporting oxygen. A deficiency can indicate anemia, while an excess can indicate other health issues.
• Leukocytes (white blood cells): These are part of your immune system. Their number and composition can indicate infections, inflammation or immunological disorders, and even cancer. There are several types of leukocytes, each with a different function in the immune system.
• Thrombocytes (blood platelets): They are important for blood clotting. Deviations can indicate the risk of bleeding or thrombosis.
• Hemoglobin and hematocrit: These values provide information about the oxygen content of your blood and the concentration of red blood cells in your blood.

When Is A Complete Blood Count Useful?

A complete blood count is usually requested in a clinical setting when it is particularly important to determine the leukocytes, the white blood cells. The leukocytes provide us with insightful information in cases of suspected acute or chronic infectious diseases, deficiencies, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases or cancer. [1] [2]

The differential blood count typically comes into play if you experience unspecific symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss or gain or recurring infections. This is because these symptoms can indicate a variety of health problems, which can only be pinpointed by a complete blood count, which examines the white blood cells in more detail. [1] [2]

A complete blood count is also indispensable and helpful before major operations or as part of regular health check-ups.

Which Values Are Determined in the Complete Blood Count?

In the complete blood analysis, values such as erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and detailed parameters such as MCV, MCH, MCHC are examined, and a differential blood count is prepared, which determines the number and distribution of white blood cells. [2]

Let us take a closer look at this:

Complete Blood Count Values

• Erythrocytes: Number of red blood cells, important for oxygen transport.
• Leukocytes: Number of white blood cells, relevant for the immune system.
• Thrombocytes: Number of platelets, important for blood clotting.
• Hemoglobin: Concentration of the red blood pigment, essential for oxygen transport.
• Hematocrit: Proportion of red blood cells in the blood volume.
• MCV (mean cell volume): Average size of the erythrocytes.
• MCH (mean cell hemoglobin): Average hemoglobin content per erythrocyte.
• MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration): Average hemoglobin concentration in the erythrocytes.

The differential blood count, which is part of the complete blood count, specifically examines the distribution of different types of leukocytes in addition to the above blood components:

• Neutrophils: Neutrophil granulocytes fight bacteria and fungi and are an important part of the immune system.
• Lymphocytes: Responsible for the specific immune defense, especially in viral infections.
• Monocytes: Develop into macrophages (scavenger cells) that eliminate pathogens and cell debris.
• Eosinophils: Eosinophil granulocytes are involved in the defense against parasites and allergic reactions.
• Basophils: Basophil granulocytes play a role in allergic reactions and inflammations.

As you can see, the complete blood count combines the simple data from a basic blood test with the detailed and specific information from the differential blood count.

What Are the Normal Ranges For A Complete Blood Count?

Here are the normal ranges of a complete blood count, which you can use as a guide: [3]

Normal Ranges for the CBC Based on NCBI Data:

Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells):

• Men: 4,3 - 5,75 T/l
• Women: 3,9 - 5,15 T/l

Leukocytes (White Blood Cells): 3.9 - 10.2 G/l

Platelets (Thrombocytes): 150 - 370 G/l

Hemoglobin (Hb):

• Männer: 13,5 - 17,2 g/dl
• Frauen: 12,0 - 15,4 g/dl

Hematocrit (Hct):

• Männer: 39.5 -50.5 %
• Frauen: 35.5 - 45 %

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): 80 - 99 fl

MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin): 27 - 33.5 pg

MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration): 32 - 36 g/dl

Normal values differential blood count

Neutrophils: 1.5 - 7.7 G/l

Lymphocytes: 1.1 - 4.5 G/l

Monocytes: 0.1 - 0.9 G/l

Monocytes: <0.6 G/l

Basophils: <0.3 G/l

Which Diseases Can Be Detected by the Complete Blood Count?

Are you wondering which diseases can be identified early using the complete blood count test?

Here is an overview of what the complete blood count can tell you about your state of health: [1] [2]

• Anemia: If your red blood cell or hemoglobin levels are low, this could indicate anemia. This condition means that your blood cannot carry enough oxygen, which can lead to fatigue and weakness.
• Infections: An increase in leukocytes or a change in their composition (e.g., too many neutrophils) can indicate an acute infection.

Chronic infections or inflammatory diseases can also be recognized by deviations in the leukocyte values.

• Inflammations: High levels of monocytes or eosinophils could indicate inflammatory diseases or allergies. These cells play an important role in your immune system's response to inflammation or allergens.
• Blood clotting disorders: Abnormal platelet levels can indicate problems with blood clotting. Too few platelets can increase the risk of bleeding, while too many can increase the risk of thrombosis.
• Thyroid disorders: Changes in blood levels can also indicate thyroid issues. For example, an increased number of eosinophils can possibly indicate hyperthyroidism.
• Cancers: In some cases, extreme abnormalities in blood counts can indicate more serious conditions such as cancer or tumors. A detailed blood count can help detect abnormalities that will initiate further investigation.
• Deficiency symptoms: Abnormalities in red blood cells, hemoglobin or MCV levels may indicate deficiencies such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency or other nutritional deficiencies.

These deficiencies can cause various symptoms, including fatigue and weakness.

• Autoimmune diseases: Abnormalities in the complete blood count, such as elevated inflammatory markers or abnormalities in leukocyte levels, can indicate autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, vasculitis or autoimmune thyreopathies.

However, these diseases require additional, specific tests for a definitive diagnosis.

The complete blood count is, therefore, a valuable tool for the early detection and targeted treatment of potential health problems.

What Is the Difference Between a Normal Blood Test and a CBC?

Difference Between Basic Blood Test and CBC

A normal blood analysis usually focuses on basic values such as erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin and hematocrit, but does not provide detailed information on the composition of the white blood cells or on specific subtypes and their functions.

The CBC extends beyond the basic blood examination by including the different types of leukocytes (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils) and their distribution, thus providing a more detailed analysis of your immune system.

How Much Does a CBC Cost, And Who Pays For It?

The cost of a complete blood count in Switzerland is typically around CHF 150.

At CARE, the blood check-up, in which 14 other important biomarkers are determined in your blood in addition to the complete blood count, costs CHF 390.

Health insurance companies cover the costs of a complete blood count if it is necessary for medical reasons. In the case of preventive measures, the costs are often covered by supplementary insurance.

Conclusion

Although the complete blood count can provide more differentiated indications of possible health abnormalities than the complete blood count, it is usually still not sufficient to enable a comprehensive assessment. In many cases, the complete blood count with additional biomarkers such as inflammation values, cholesterol, blood sugar and organ values as well as vitamin levels is the better choice. This is the only way to obtain a more complete picture of the patient's state of health and identify potential risks at an early stage. From a preventive point of view, as CARE sees it, the small blood count is not sufficient to make a well-founded statement about the general state of health.