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White blood cells, which fight infection 3.

It measures:When you get your report, you’ll see two columns: a “reference range” and your results. It is determined by collecting data from vast numbers of laboratory tests.

Mild anemia is one of the most common reasons your results might be off.Each lab has different ways of studying your blood. If your blood sample will be used for additional tests, you may need to fast for a certain amount of time before the test. A complete blood count (CBC) is a test that counts the cells that make up your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.Your doctor may order a CBC as part of a routine checkup or to: They’ll send the blood to a lab for review.The test can tell your doctor a lot about your overall health. Depending on the reason your doctor recommended this test, results outside the normal range may or may not require follow-up. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Changes in many organ systemsmay affect the blood, so CBC results are useful for investigating a wide range of conditions. Of if you're undergoing cancer treatment, the results of a complete blood count outside the normal range may indicate a need to alter your treatment plan.In some cases, if your results are significantly above or below the normal ranges, your doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in blood disorders (hematologist).Results in the following areas above or below the normal ranges on a complete blood count may indicate a problem.If the measures in these three areas are lower than normal, you have anemia.

Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is generally from 4.2 to 5.9 million cells/cmm.

Afterward, you can leave and get back to your routine. A reference range is usually defined as the set of values 95 percent of the normal population falls within (that is, 95% prediction interval).

A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection and leukemia.A complete blood count test measures several components and features of your blood, including:Abnormal increases or decreases in cell counts as revealed in a complete blood count may indicate that you have an underlying medical condition that calls for further evaluation.A complete blood count is a common blood test that's done for a variety of reasons:If your blood sample is being tested only for a complete blood count, you can eat and drink normally before the test.

White blood cell creation and release in the blood are triggered and stimulated during infection. A nurse or lab tech will take a sample of blood by putting a needle into a vein in your arm. It’s also based on things that can affect your blood like your age, your sex, and how high above sea level you live.Your doctor might order more results to learn whether you have an illness or blood condition, including:University of Rochester Medical Center: “Complete Blood Count.”National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: “What Do Blood Tests Show?” “What Is Anemia?”WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Anemia has many causes, including low levels of certain vitamins or iron, blood loss, or an underlying condition.A red blood cell count that's higher than normal (erythrocytosis), or high hemoglobin or hematocrit levels, could point to an underlying medical condition, such as polycythemia vera or heart disease.If your white blood cell count is higher than normal, you may have an infection or inflammation. The complete blood count provides information about the three cellular components of blood—red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A high white blood cell count can also be a reaction to medication.For specifics about what your complete blood count results mean if they fall outside the normal ranges, talk to your doctor.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. An RBC count is the number of red blood cell per a particular volume of blood.

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They help fight infections by attacking bacteria, viruses, and germs.

Red cell count (RBC) signifies the number of red blood cells in a volume of blood. The "normal" range can sometimes vary by population.

"Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. The complete blood count includes the white blood count, which is an estimate of how many white blood cells there are in your blood. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. If your results are inside the reference range, they’re considered normal. Some medical conditions, such as anemia or thrombocytopenia, are defined by marked increases or decreases in complete blood count parameters.

Anemia causes fatigue and weakness.