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Neutropenia A CBC is a test that the lab does from a sample of your blood. The CBC looks at 3 different types of cells:
Cancer treatment can make the levels of all three types of cells decrease in your body. When WBC (also known as leukocytes) drop it is known as leukopenia. Neutropenia refers to a drop in neutrophils. Neutrophils are one type of white blood cells. A drop in red blood cells is known as anemia. A drop in platelets is called thrombocytopenia. Doctors can order a CBC with or without a differential. A differential asks the lab to describe each type of white blood cell and list how many of each type of cell are present. There are 5 types of white blood cells including lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils (these can be listed as segs or bands as well). How To Read a CBC Each lab may have a different format for their CBC so your CBC may look a little differently than the example below. The "Result" column will tell you what your results are. If the value is extremely high or low , a "C", for "Critical " may be noted there, or some other means of highlighting the result for your doctor will be noted. The"unit" tells you how each type of cell was measured. The"Reference Range" tells you what the normal range is. This may vary slightly from lab to lab and vary slightly for women, children and adolescents.
CBC Definitions COMPLETE BLOOD CELL COUNT W/DIFF: This laboratory test examines the cells in the blood including white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Most results are described as an amount - as an example - number of cells per milliliter, or they are reported as a percentage. WBC (White Blood Cell): White blood cells (also known as a leukocyte) are scavengers that are able to kill bacteria and other invaders The white blood cell count (or leukocyte count) includes the total number of all the white blood cells. There are 2 categories of WBC (or leukocytes) including granulocytes, agranulocytes, and 5 types of white blood cells. Granulocytes include young neutrophils, segmented neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils. Agranulocytes include lymphocytes and monocytes. RBC (Red Blood Cell ): RBCs are mature red blood cells and are also known as erythrocytes. They are responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. HGB (Hemoglobin ): Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. HCT (Hematocrit ): Hematocrit reflects the percentage of blood volume that is made up of red blood cells (erythrocytes). MCV: Mean Corpuscular Volume measures the average volume or size of individual red blood cells. MCH : Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin is the measure of hemoglobin content of red blood cells. MCHC: Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration is the measure of concentration of hemoglobin in the average red blood cell. PLT: (Platelet Count) Platelets are an important blood cell needed for clotting the blood. They help to stop bleeding by forming clots. MPV: Mean Platelet Volume - describes the size of the platelets. DIFFERENTIAL: counts 5 different types of white blood cells including: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. They are reported individually as a percentage of the total number of WBC. The percentages are multiplied by the total number of white blood cells to get the absolute count. If abnormal white blood cells such as blasts are present they will be listed as well. TOTAL NEUTROPHILS: Gives the percent of white blood cells that are neutrophils. Neutrophils also known as polymorphonuclear cells (Polys) fight bacterial infections. Normally they account for 45.0-74.0% of all white blood cells. LYMPHOCYTES: Normally make up 16.0-45% of white blood cells. There are two types of lymphocytes; T-cells and B-cells. Both are important for fighting infection. MONOCYTES: Make up 4-10%of white blood cells. They attack germs and signal the immune system when they find them. EOSINOPHILS: normally make up only 0.0-7.0%of white blood cells. They are involved in allergic reactions and parasite invasions. BASOPHILS: usually less than 0.0-2.0% of all white blood cells. Their function is not understood well but is thought to be involved in long term allergy reactions. Merck Manual Home Edition. Lab Stud. |
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