Full Blood Examination (FBE)

A complete blood count will normally include:
Red cells:
• Total red blood cells - The number of red cells is given as an absolute number per litre.
• Haemoglobin - The amount of hemoglobin in the blood, expressed in grams per litre. (Low hemoglobin is called anemia.)
• Haematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV) - This is the fraction of whole blood volume that consists of red blood cells.
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) - the average volume of the red cells. Anemia is classified as microcytic or macrocytic based on whether this value is above or below the expected normal range. Other conditions that can affect MCV include thalassemia and reticulocytosis.
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) - the average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell.
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) - the average concentration of hemoglobin in the cells.
• Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) - a measure of the variation of the RBC population

White cells:
• Total white blood cells - All the white cell types are given as a percentage and as an absolute number per litre.
• Neutrophils - May indicate bacterial infection. May also be raised in acute viral infections.
• Lymphocytes - Higher with some viral infections such as glandular fever and. Also raised in lymphocytic leukaemia CLL.
• Monocytes - May be raised in bacterial infection
• Eosinophils - Increased in parasitic infections.
• Basophils

Platelets:
Platelet numbers are given, as well as information about their size and the range of sizes in the blood.

Other Tests:
• CRP
~ C Reactive Protein
~ plasma protein produced by the liver as part of the inflammatory process
~ test used as an indicator of inflammation
~ increased CRP levels = inflammation
~ often indicative of rheumatoid arthritis
• ESR
~ Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
~ measures how long it takes for blood to separate into red cells and plasma
~ an increased ESR is indicative of inflammation
• Serology
~ looking at antigen and anti-bodies