A full blood count, or complete blood count is a test of the cellular components of whole blood; it reports on the erythrocytes, thrombocytes, and leukocytes.
The erythrocyte
The most common red cell indices are the red cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit (which is not usually helpful), mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (also not particularly helpful). The red cell and reticulocyte counts may not be routinely included by some labs.
A red cell count is done by virtually all haematology analysers, even the ancient machines that still perform only a 3-cell differential based on coulters principle (which I am sure are still in use somewhere). If the red count is missing and you want it, ring the lab: the machine certainly calculated it.
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Normal values for red cell indices
- Red cell count - (4.0-6.0e12/L)
- Haemoglobin - (120-170g/L)
- Haematocrit - (0.4-0.5)
- MCV - (80-99fL)
- MCH - (27-33pg)
- Reticulocyte count - (50-100e9/L or <2%, absolute count preferred)
Leukocytes
A total white cell count is done and a differential is included by most laboratories and haematology analysers. In the setting of routine testing, and for most purposes, the total WCC and/or neutrophil count is a general part of the inflammatory markers.
Normal values for leucocytes
- White cell count - (4.0-10.0e9/L)
- Neutrophils - (2.0–7.0e9/L)
- Lymphocytes - (1.0-3.0e9/L)
- Monocytes - (0.2–1.0e9/L)
- Eosinophils - (0.02–0.5e9/L)
- Basophils - (0.02–0.1e9/L)
The thrombocyte
The platelet count is always reported: it would even be part of a simple 3-cell differential.
Normal platelet count
- Platelets - (150-400e9/L)
Further Reading:
- Bain BJ, Bates I, Laffan MA, Lewis SM, editors. Dacie and Lewis practical haematology. Twelfth edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2017.