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Common Diseases Detected Via CBC Test
By an Clinical Lab Pathologist & Healthcare Professional
Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most common and important blood tests prescribed by doctors. It gives valuable information about the different cells in your blood and helps detect a variety of health conditions. The CBC test is quick, affordable, and often the first step in identifying what’s going wrong in your body.
In this article, we’ll explain what the CBC test checks and what diseases it can help detect — in a way that’s simple and easy to understand.
What Does a CBC Test Measure?
A CBC test looks at three main types of blood cells:
- Red Blood Cells (RBCs) – Carry oxygen throughout the body
- White Blood Cells (WBCs) – Help fight infections
- Platelets – Help in blood clotting
It also checks:
- Hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying protein in RBCs)
- Hematocrit (percentage of RBCs in blood)
- Different types of white cells (differential count)
CBC Test Parameters with Normal Ranges
CBC Parameter | Normal Range |
Hemoglobin (Hb) | Male: 13.5 – 17.5 g/dL |
Total WBC Count | 4,000 – 11,000 cells/µL |
RBC Count | Male: 4.7 – 6.1 million/µL |
Hematocrit (HCT/PCV) | Male: 41% – 50% |
Platelet Count | 150,000 – 450,000/µL |
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) | 80 – 100 fL |
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) | 27 – 33 pg |
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) | 32 – 36 g/dL |
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) | 11.5% – 14.5% |
Neutrophils | 40% – 60% |
Lymphocytes | 20% – 40% |
Monocytes | 2% – 8% |
Eosinophils | 1% – 4% |
Basophils | 0.5% – 1% |
Common Diseases and Conditions Detected by CBC
1. Anemia
- What it is: A condition where your blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin.
- CBC shows: Low hemoglobin and low RBC count.
- Symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, dizziness.
2. Infections (Bacterial or Viral)
- What it is: Your body’s response to harmful organisms like bacteria or viruses.
- CBC shows: High WBC count (in most bacterial infections), or low WBC count in some viral infections.
- Symptoms: Fever, chills, body aches, cough.
3. Leukemia (Blood Cancer)
- What it is: A type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood-forming tissues.
- CBC shows: Very high or very low WBC count, low platelet and RBC counts, abnormal cells.
- Symptoms: Frequent infections, bleeding, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes.
4. Thrombocytopenia
- What it is: Low platelet count in the blood.
- CBC shows: Decreased platelet numbers.
- Symptoms: Easy bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds.
5. Polycythemia
- What it is: An abnormal increase in red blood cells.
- CBC shows: High RBC count, high hematocrit.
- Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, red skin tone, high blood pressure.
6. Bone Marrow Disorders
- What it is: Conditions affecting blood cell production.
- CBC shows: Abnormal levels of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.
- Examples: Aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes.
7. Nutritional Deficiencies
- What it is: Lack of important nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, or folate.
- CBC shows: Low hemoglobin, larger or smaller than normal red blood cells.
- Symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, numbness, mouth ulcers.
8. Autoimmune Diseases
- What it is: When the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues.
- CBC shows: Abnormal WBC or platelet count.
- Examples: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis.
Why Doctors Recommend CBC
- As part of routine health checkups
- To diagnose symptoms like weakness, fever, or bruising
- To monitor chronic illnesses
- Before surgeries or during treatment of diseases like cancer.
Final Words
A CBC test might look simple, but it gives doctors a wide window into your overall health. It helps detect serious diseases early — often before symptoms become obvious. If your doctor recommends a CBC test, don’t ignore it.
Stay aware. Stay healthy. Early diagnosis can save lives.
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