Blood Count Tests Also called: CBC, Complete Blood Count, Hematologic Tests Summary Your blood contains red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. Blood count tests measure the number and types of cells in your blood. This helps doctors check on your overall health. The tests can also help to diagnose diseases and conditions such as anemia, infections, clotting problems, blood cancers, and immune system disorders. Specific types include tests for RBC – the numbers, size, and types of RBC in the blood WBC – the numbers and types of WBC in the blood Platelets – the numbers and size of the platelets Hemoglobin – an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen Hematocrit – how much space red blood cells take up in your blood Reticulocyte count – how many young red blood cells are in your blood Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) – the average size of your red blood cells The complete blood count (CBC) includes most or all of these. The CBC is one of the most common blood tests. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Array Blood differential Blood smear CBC Hematocrit Hemoglobin Platelet count RBC count RBC indices WBC count Specifics Blood Smear American Association for Clinical Chemistry Hematocrit American Association for Clinical Chemistry Hemoglobin American Association for Clinical Chemistry Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation American Association for Clinical Chemistry Platelet Count American Association for Clinical Chemistry Platelets University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Reticulocyte Count Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry WBC (White Blood Cell) Differential Count American Association for Clinical Chemistry White Blood Cell Count American Association for Clinical Chemistry Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Blood Cells National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Hematologic Tests National Institutes of Health Start Here Complete Blood Count American Association for Clinical Chemistry Understanding Blood Counts Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Children Complete Blood Count (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Images Complete blood count – slideshow Encyclopedia Hemoglobin derivatives Hemoglobin electrophoresis Low white blood cell count and cancer Reticulocyte count Serum free hemoglobin test Related Issues High Red Blood Cell Count Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Low White Blood Cell Count Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research MedlinePlus: Platelet Disorders White Blood Cell Disorders Merck & Co., Inc. Journal Articles Blood Count Tests
