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What Should You Know Before Taking The CBC Test?

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ritu
What Should You Know Before Taking The CBC Test?

A CBC or complete blood count is a test which is a commonly recommended test by the doctor for screening for certain disorders that might affect the health. A cbc test determines the level of increase or decrease in the blood cell counts. The normal range varies depending on the age & gender of the individual. This test can determine a broad spectrum of conditions ranging from anaemia to cancer. A CBC test is recommended by the doctor as a part of the routine check-up of if an individual experiences unexplained symptoms like bruising and bleeding.


Why the test is done?

A complete blood count test is done for a wide variety of reasons. It is done for evaluating the following:

  • For reviewing the overall health of an individual.
  • For diagnosing a medical condition
  • For monitoring a medical condition
  • For monitoring medical treatment

As you are recommended to do a CBC test, make sure to look for a renowned pathology for cbc test near me. The test might help in diagnosing blood diseases, immune system disorders, infections and other medical issues. It is also done for checking any changes in the existing blood disorder.


How to prepare for the test?


If the blood sample will be collected for only CBC, then an individual can eat and drink normally. But if the doctor prescribes any additional test with CBC, then the person needs to fast for a certain time as specified by the doctor. Specific instruction will be given by the doctor before availing of the test.


A phlebotomist making use of a small needle will collect blood samples from the vein in the arm of an individual. After inserting the needle, a small amount of blood is collected in a vial. The process hardly takes about 5 minutes to complete. You can return to normal activities right after the process is done.


All about the result:


There is no risk involved in getting a blood test done. One might experience bruising or little pain in the area where the needle is pricked but it goes away quickly. A CBC test counts the blood cells in the blood of an individual. There can be several reasons that the test result might not be in the normal range. Such as:

Abnormal red blood cell level, hemoglobin level or hematocrit level might be a sign of anemia, an issue with the heart or there might be little iron in the body.


A low level of white blood cell count might be an indication of autoimmune disorder, cancer or bone marrow disorder.


A high level of white blood cell count is an indication of infection or reaction due to intake of medicine.

If any of the levels are abnormal, it does not mean that you have a medical condition which requires immediate treatment. Activity level, diet, menstrual period, not having adequate water & several other factors can affect the result. Consult with your doctor to understand what the result means.


Final words:

A complete blood count test is a tool which the doctor uses to know about the health of an individual. The doctor might consider the medical history of an individual, symptoms & other factors for diagnosis. The doctor might recommend other blood tests also to find out if there is any disease.


If you are otherwise healthy but the result of the CBC test is outside the normal range, it might not be a matter of grave concern and follow-up is required. A proper consultation with the doctor after the test is done is highly required. Make sure that you get the test done from a reputed diagnostic centre.

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