The complete haemogram test evaluates following conditions:
CBC is a group of blood tests that evaluates the cells circulating in blood, including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets. CBC can detect a variety of diseases like anaemia, infections and blood cancers.
Increase or decrease in RBC, WBC, Platelets and their indications:
- Decrease in haemoglobin is called Anaemia, which is seen in nutritional deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid. Low Haemoglobin is also seen in genetic disorders like thalassemia.
- The white cells are often raised in infections, neutrophils in bacterial infections & lymphocytosis in viral infection. Low WBC count may be seen in viral infections and autoimmune diseases.
- Very high or very low WBC counts may indicate blood cancers
Platelets may be reduced in medication intake and certain infections like dengue.
Peripheral Blood smear is examination of blood cells in a stained slide under the microscope by the pathologist.
This microscopic examination helps in diagnosing various types of anemia, blood cancers, parasites like malaria and filarial along with other medical conditions associated with WBCs, RBCs and platelets.
ESR is a simple blood test measured as the red cells fall through a column of blood. It can be affected by age, sex, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and drugs( e.g. OCP, steroids).