You Need to Know About CBC, CRP, WBC Count and Platelet Count
Update: 29 /09/2023 10:30PM IST
The CBC, or complete blood count, is a test that measures the cells in your blood. This includes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The CBC can give your doctor important information about your overall health and can help to diagnose certain conditions.
The CRP, or C-reactive protein, is a test that measures the level of inflammation in your body. This test can be used to help diagnose conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.
The white blood cell (WBC) count is a test that measures the number of white blood cells in a person's sample of blood.
The platelet count is a test that measures the number of platelets in your blood. Platelets are important for blood clotting and a low platelet count can lead to problems with bleeding and bruising.
What is a CBC Test?
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.
The CBC test measures the following:
- White blood cells (WBCs): These cells fight infection and help to protect the body from disease.
- Red blood cells (RBCs): These cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.
- Hemoglobin: This is the protein in RBCs that carries oxygen.
- Hematocrit: This is the percentage of RBCs in your blood.
- Platelets: These cells help to clot the blood.
The CBC test is usually included as part of a routine physical exam. It may also be ordered if you have symptoms of a disease that could be detected by changes in your blood cells.
The CBC test is a simple and quick way to get important information about your overall health.
What is a CRP Test?
If you've ever had a blood test, you may have had a CRP test. But what is a CRP test?
CRP stands for C-reactive protein. It's a protein that's produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Inflammation is a normal immune system response to injury or infection. But if you have too much inflammation, it can lead to health problems.
High levels of CRP in the blood can be a sign of inflammation, but it's not always the cause of inflammation. For example, you may have a high CRP level if you have an infection or autoimmune disease.
A CRP test measures the level of CRP in your blood. The test is usually done with a blood sample taken from a vein in your arm.
CRP tests are used to:
- Diagnose inflammatory conditions
- Monitor inflammatory conditions
- Check for complications of inflammatory conditions
- Check for side effects of certain medicines used to treat inflammatory conditions.
Your doctor may order a CRP test if you have symptoms of an inflammatory condition, such as joint pain or swelling, redness, or warmth. The test may also be ordered if you're at risk for an inflammatory condition, such as heart disease or stroke.
Normal CRP levels are less than 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L). A level above 10 mg/L is considered high.
Your doctor will interpret your CRP test results along with other information, such as your medical history and symptoms. If your CRP level is high, it doesn't necessarily mean you have an inflammatory condition. But it's a sign that further testing may be needed.
Understanding WBC Counts
The white blood cell (WBC) count is a test that measures the number of white blood cells in a person's sample of blood. The normal range for a WBC count is 4,500 to 10,000 cells per microliter (µL) of blood. A low WBC count is called leukopenia and a high WBC count is called leukocytosis.
There are several types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Each type has a different function in the body.
Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. They make up 50 to 60 percent of the total WBC count. These cells help the body fight infection by attacking and destroying bacteria.
Lymphocytes make up 25 to 35 percent of the total WBC count. These cells help the body fight infection by producing antibodies that recognize and destroy viruses, bacteria, and other foreign substances.
Monocytes make up 3 to 8 percent of the total WBC count. These cells help the body fight infection by engulfing and destroying bacteria and other foreign substances.
Eosinophils make up 1 to 3 percent of the total WBC count. These cells help the body fight viral infections and allergies.
Basophils make up 0.5 to 1 percent of the total WBC count. These cells help the body fight infection by releasing substances that destroy bacteria and other foreign substances.
A WBC count can be used to help diagnose infections, inflammation, leukemia, and other disorders.
What is a Platelet Count?
A platelet count is a medical test that measures the number of platelets in your blood. Platelets are small cells that help your blood clot. A low platelet count can cause bleeding problems.
A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. If your platelet count is low, it means you have fewer than 150,000 platelets in your blood. This is called thrombocytopenia.
A high platelet count is more than 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. This is called thrombocytosis.
A platelet count is done as part of a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is a blood test that measures the cells that make up your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Your doctor may order a platelet count if you have symptoms of bleeding or easy bruising. A low platelet count can be caused by:
- Cancer
- Cirrhosis
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Leukemia
- Medications, such as heparin or quinine
- Radiation therapy
- Aplastic anemia
- Bone marrow problems
- Viral infections, such as hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS
A high platelet count can be caused by:
- Cancers of the blood, such as leukemia or myelofibrosis
- Reactions to medications, such as heparin
- Infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Inflammatory diseases, such as Kawasaki disease or rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain blood disorders, such as essential thrombocythemia
- Pregnancy
Your doctor may also order a platelet count if you’re taking a medication that can affect your platelet count. These medications include:
- Aspirin
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Platelet inhibitors, such as clopidogrel or ticlopidine
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Chemotherapy drugs
A platelet count is a simple blood test. A sample of your blood will be taken and sent to a lab for analysis. You don’t need to prepare for a platelet count.
Interpreting Your CBC and CRP Results
If you've had a blood test done, you may be wondering what all of the abbreviations and numbers on the results mean. In this blog post, we'll be taking a look at two important blood tests - the CBC (Complete Blood Count) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - and interpreting the results.
The CBC measures several important things in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The results of the CBC can give your doctor important information about your overall health.
The red blood cell count measures the number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the tissues in your body. A low red blood cell count may be a sign of anemia, which can be caused by a variety of factors including blood loss, malnutrition, or a bone marrow disorder.
The white blood cell count measures the number of white blood cells in your blood. White blood cells are part of the immune system and help to fight infection. A high white blood cell count may be a sign of infection, inflammation, or a leukemia.
The platelet count measures the number of platelets in your blood. Platelets are necessary for proper blood clotting. A low platelet count may be a sign of a bleeding disorder or a bone marrow disorder.
The CBC can also give your doctor information about the different types of white blood cells in your blood. This information can help to diagnose or rule out certain conditions.
The CRP test measures the level of C-reactive protein in your blood. C-reactive protein is produced by the liver in response to inflammation. A high level of C-reactive protein in your blood may be a sign of inflammation, infection, or a cardiovascular disease.
Both the CBC and CRP tests are important tools that your doctor can use to assess your overall health. If you have any questions about your results, be sure to ask your doctor.
What is a Normal Platelet Count?
When it comes to blood tests, there are a lot of different things that your doctor can check for. One of the things that they will often check is your platelet count. Platelets are a type of blood cell that helps with clotting. So, what is a normal platelet count?
Generally speaking, a normal platelet count is between 150 and 450 million platelets per microlitre of blood. This can vary slightly from person to person, and also from lab to lab. If your platelet count is outside of this range, it doesn't necessarily mean that there's something wrong. However, it's something that your doctor will want to keep an eye on.
There are a number of conditions that can cause your platelet count to be higher or lower than normal. For example, if you have an infection, your body will produce more platelets in an attempt to fight off the infection. Similarly, if you have cancer, your body may produce fewer platelets.
If you're concerned about your platelet count, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor. They will be able to order the appropriate tests and make sure that everything is okay.
Factors Affecting Platelet Count
If you have ever had a blood test, you may have had your platelet count checked. Platelets are a type of blood cell that helps your blood clot. A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. If your platelet count is lower than normal, it is called thrombocytopenia. If your platelet count is higher than normal, it is called thrombocytosis.
There are many factors that can affect your platelet count. If you have an infection, your body will produce more platelets to help fight the infection. If you have a chronic illness, such as cancer, your platelet count may be lower because the illness is affecting your bone marrow, where platelets are made. If you are taking certain medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, your platelet count may be lower because these medications can interfere with platelet production. Platelet counts can also be affected by pregnancy, stress, and surgery.
If you have a low platelet count, there are a few things you can do to help increase it. Eating a healthy diet and taking supplements such as folic acid and vitamin B12 can help. Getting regular exercise and avoiding smoking will also help. If your platelet count is very low, you may need a transfusion of platelets or plasma.
If you have a high platelet count, it is important to find out the cause. If the cause is unknown, there is usually no need for treatment. However, if the cause is known, treatment will depend on the underlying condition. For example, if you have cancer and your platelet count is high because of the cancer, treatment will focus on the cancer.
If you have any concerns about your platelet count, be sure to talk to your doctor.
