Today we are delving into the world of the complete blood count. This provides detailed information about the composition of the blood cells and can reveal possible deviations at an early stage. It serves as a valuable basis for suggesting targeted further examinations and better understanding health correlations. Together with other laboratory values, the complete blood count can help to identify health problems at an early stage and take the right measures to improve well-being and quality of life.
Published in General Health
6 min read · Aug 05, 2024
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]
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.
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:
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:
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.
During a blood check-up at CARE, not only is a complete blood count carried out, but 14 other important blood values are also analyzed. This provides detailed insights into cholesterol levels, selected vitamins, long-term blood sugar and more.
Here are the normal ranges of a complete blood count, which you can use as a guide: [3]
Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells):
Leukocytes (White Blood Cells): 3.9 - 10.2 G/l
Platelets (Thrombocytes): 150 - 370 G/l
Hemoglobin (Hb):
Hematocrit (Hct):
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): 80 - 99 fl
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin): 27 - 33.5 pg
MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration): 32 - 36 g/dl
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
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]
Chronic infections or inflammatory diseases can also be recognized by deviations in the leukocyte values.
These deficiencies can cause various symptoms, including fatigue and weakness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Unlock your full health potential with CARE by making informed decisions based on your personal health data.
In your health check-up, we measure preventive biomarkers in your blood to assess your current health status and identify opportunities for improvement. And this goes far beyond the small and large blood count.
We can even create a nutritional supplement tailored to your individual needs. This is because the biomarkers in your blood enable our doctors & health coaches to identify the areas in which you can further optimize your health and take it to the next level.
Elena is an enthusiastic Health Coach and blog writer at CARE, with a passion for holistic medicine and health. Previously, Elena worked for almost five years as a coach leading retreats, workshops, and seminars. These included mind-body therapy: breath work, meditation, and massage; as well as energy force therapy: reiki, and qi gong; and third expressive therapy: movement, writing and support groups. Elena shares exciting articles on the blog, on the topic of where the alternative and traditional medicine intersect with Western Medicine. Elena is also the driving force behind the CARE community. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling to remote locations and dancing. You might also see her on the lake of Zurich as a coast guard. Join her on her journey to learn more about health and discover the world of preventive medicine! Visit all articles written by Elena!
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