Sometimes, blood tests can help them see how well an organ such as the liver or kidneys is working. A complete blood count CBC test is a blood test that helps doctors check the level of different types of cells in the blood. A CBC measures:. A CBC can be done as part of a routine checkup to screen for problems or because a child isn't feeling well. The levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets can provide doctors with information about possible problems like anemia , infections, inflammation, and other conditions.
Your child should be able to eat and drink normally unless also getting other tests that require fasting beforehand. Tell your doctor about any medicines your child takes because some drugs might affect the test results. Also let the doctor know if your child has had a blood transfusion or smokes. These can affect the CBC.
This is done when the patient is experiencing symptoms of fatigue, fever , weakness, or even internal bleeding. To monitor how medical treatment is working: A CBC can only monitor certain medical treatments. This allows the doctors to monitor how well the treatment is working based on how your blood count number reacts to the treatment and medication RBCs and WBCs count.
To monitor your medical condition: If you are suffering from a medical condition that affects your RBCs, your doctor will recommend a CBC to monitor your blood cell count. This will help managing the condition with proper medication or diet.
A Complete Blood Count measures the levels of the following: WBC or White Blood Cells: These are the cells that build up the immune system of the body and help fight off the germs in your body. But if your white blood cell count is high, then this could be a sign of inflammation, a reaction to medical treatment or condition, or just an infection. When your white blood cell count is low, then this will put you at a higher risk of attracting an infection, indicating your immune system is weak.
They also help to carry out carbon dioxide. A low red blood cell count is often the sign of anemia or some other underlying medical condition. The size of these cells tells a lot about the medical condition of the patient. If the cells are larger than normal, then your MCV will be higher, which could be a sign of low vitamin B12 or folate levels.
If the size is smaller, then this could be a sign of anemia. Hemoglobin: The protein that holds oxygen in your blood is known as hemoglobin.
The blood test determines the Hb level of the patient as well as blood glucose level that is known as HbA1C to ensure if the patient is not suffering from pre-diabetic conditions. Hematocrit: This lets the doctors know how much of your blood contains red blood cells. If the percentage is low, then this could mean iron deficiency. Iron is the mineral that helps keep the red blood cell count high.
But, if you have a high score, then this could mean that you are either dehydrated or suffering from some other medical condition or a disorder. Platelets: These help forming blood clots when there is damage or injury. If the platelet count is low, it is called thrombocytopenia, or if it is higher, it is called thrombocytosis. How to Prepare for a CBC? White blood cells are warriors that fight infections. A high white blood cell count could mean that you have an infection. Blood count is also affected by altitude.
The higher up you are, the more oxygen you need red blood cells. Following the CBC, your doctor will evaluate the results. If your blood count is normal, you will not need to do anything. Your doctor will explain your results and advise if any follow-up is needed. Having CBC lab work done poses very little risk to your health. However, anytime the skin is broken even by a sterilized needle , there is always a slight risk of infection.
You should also keep in mind that some blood may pool under the skin, causing a bruise after the test. If you are scared of needles, you may experience general anxiety about the test. Some people who are prone to fainting may faint during the test or can feel lightheaded. In rare cases, excessive bleeding can be a more serious response to the test. Abnormal test results could be an indication of a serious health problem or a simple one that can be remedied by eating better or taking supplements.
These are some of the health problems that can be identified by a CBC:. Urine tests are the most common methods for detecting pregnancy and give results within minutes. Some people choose to have a blood test, which tends to be more accurate than a urine test. However, people have to wait longer for blood test results. There are two types of blood tests for pregnancy: qualitative and quantitative. A qualitative test gives a simple yes or no answer to whether a person is pregnant.
A quantitative test returns the total amount of human chorionic gonadotropin hCG in the blood. The body produces this hormone when someone becomes pregnant. Some blood tests can detect whether a person is pregnant as soon as 1 week after conception. A person needs to be pregnant for longer before a urine test can identify a pregnancy accurately.
How long a pregnancy test result takes to come back depends on the location of the lab. A doctor can use a blood test to confirm suspected cancers. The type of blood test will depend on the type of cancer a doctor is looking for. The results can take a few days to a few weeks to come back, depending on the lab and the location. Several different tests look at thyroid functions.
Doctors can check for hyperthyroidism overactive thyroid or hypothyroidism underactive thyroid. The results for the various thyroid tests are often available within a day or two, but this can vary between labs. There is a variety of tests a doctor can run to look for anemia. Typically, results only take a few hours to come back. However, there are some rapid tests available. If a doctor uses a rapid test, it could take only a few minutes to get the results.
Sexually transmitted infections STIs can take some time to show up. A person may initially test negative for a STI shortly after contracting it, but symptoms may appear later. The length of time for results to come back depends on the specific infection. When testing for HIV , a healthcare provider can perform a finger prick blood test in the office and receive the results within minutes.
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