Complete Blood Count

An Absolute Neutrophil Count test measures the percentage of neutrophils per microliter of blood. Neutrophils are a type of WBC and play an integral part in the body's immune system. They help fight off bacterial infections in the body by identifying and destroying foreign invaders, such as disease-causing microorganisms. 

A Red Blood Cell Count test measures the total number of red blood cells in your blood. RBCs are the most abundant cells in the blood with an average lifespan of 120 days. These cells are produced in the bone marrow and destroyed in the spleen or liver. Their primary function is to help carry oxygen from the lungs to different body parts. The normal range of RBC count can vary depending on age, gender, and the equipment and methods used for testing.

A Platelet Count test measures the average number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are disk-shaped tiny cells originating from large cells known as megakaryocytes, which are found in the bone marrow. After the platelets are formed, they are released into the blood circulation. Their average life span is 7-10 days. 

Platelets help stop the bleeding, whenever there is an injury or trauma to a tissue or blood vessel, by adhering and accumulating at the injury site and releasing chemical compounds that stimulate the gathering of more platelets. A loose platelet plug is formed at the site of injury and this process is known as primary hemostasis. These activated platelets support the coagulation pathway that involves a series of steps, including the sequential activation of clotting factors; this process is known as secondary hemostasis. After this step, there is a formation of fibrin strands that form a mesh incorporated into and around the platelet plug. This mesh strengthens and stabilizes the blood clot so that it remains in place until the injury heals. After healing, other factors come into play and break the clot down so that it gets removed. In case the platelets are not sufficient in number or not functioning properly, a stable clot might not form. These unstable clots can result in an increased risk of excessive bleeding. 

An Absolute Basophil Count test measures the total number of basophils in the blood. Basophils are small, spherically-shaped cells that originate from bone marrow and make up almost 1% of the total white blood cells in the body. They attack a foreign substance and release proteins like histamine and heparin to destroy harmful substances, such as allergens, pathogens, or parasites. Histamine helps widen the blood vessels and make space for more immune cells to come to the site of infection or injury, whereas heparin acts as a blood-thinning agent and helps to avoid blood clotting at that site.

An Absolute Monocyte Count test measures the total number of monocytes in the blood. Monocytes are a type of WBC that originate from bone marrow and travel to different tissues via the blood. Once they are inside the tissue, these cells get converted to macrophages (a type of cell that digest harmful substances). Monocytes are the second line of defense mechanism of the human body after neutrophils. These cells are also responsible for the removal of injured or dead cells, microorganisms, and other insoluble particles from the blood. 

An Absolute Eosinophil Count test measures the number of eosinophils in the blood and provides important information about the functioning of the immune system. Eosinophils originate from bone marrow and have a lifespan of 8-18 hours. These cells are involved in fighting certain types of infections and responding to allergic reactions in the body. The eosinophils have varied functions including the physiological role in organ formation, such as the development of post-gestational mammary glands. Other functions of these cells include movement to the inflammation areas, trapping substances, killing cells, and bactericidal and antiparasitic activities. They also help in the treatment of immediate allergic reactions and modulation of inflammatory responses. By measuring the number of eosinophils in the blood, this test provides important information about the functioning of the immune system.

A Hematocrit test measures the proportion of red blood cells (RBCs) in your blood as a percentage of the total blood volume. It is a crucial part of a complete blood count (CBC) and helps in assessing your blood health. RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. The hematocrit test provides valuable information about your blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.

Higher-than-normal amounts of RBCs produced by the bone marrow can cause the hematocrit to increase, leading to increased blood density and slow blood flow. On the other hand, lower-than-normal hematocrit can be caused by low production of RBCs, reduced lifespan of RBCs in circulation, or excessive bleeding, leading to a reduced amount of oxygen being transported by RBCs. Monitoring your hematocrit levels is essential for diagnosing and managing various blood-related disorders.

A Mean Corpuscular Volume test measures the average size of your red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body. This test tells whether your RBCs are uniform or vary significantly in size.

An MCH test measures the average amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell (RBC). Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in RBCs, and its major function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to all body parts. This test provides information about how much oxygen is being delivered to the body by a certain number of RBCs.

An MCHC test measures the average amount of hemoglobin in a given volume of RBCs. MCHC is calculated by dividing the amount of hemoglobin by hematocrit (volume of blood made up of RBCs) and then multiplying it by 100. 

An MPV test measures the average size of the platelets in your blood. Platelets are disk-shaped tiny cells originating from large cells known as megakaryocytes, which are found in the bone marrow. After the platelets are formed, they are released into the blood circulation. Their average life span is 7-10 days. 

Platelets help stop bleeding whenever there is an injury or trauma to a tissue or blood vessel by adhering and accumulating at the injury site, and by releasing chemical compounds that stimulate the gathering of more platelets. After these steps, a loose platelet plug is formed at the site of injury, and this process is known as primary hemostasis. These activated platelets support the coagulation pathway that involves a series of steps including the sequential activation of clotting factors; this process is known as secondary hemostasis. After this, there is a formation of fibrin strands that form a mesh incorporated into and around the platelet plug. This mesh strengthens and stabilizes the blood clot so that it remains in place until the injury heals. After healing, other factors come into play and break the clot down so that it gets removed. In case the platelets are not sufficient in number or are not functioning properly, a stable clot might not form. These unstable clots can result in an increased risk of excessive bleeding.