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Complete blood count - series

Results, part 1



Indication Procedure Results, part 1 Results, part 2
Results, part 1


Results:

Normal values vary with altitude and gender.

What abnormal results may mean:

Low numbers of red blood cells may indicate:

  • Blood loss
  • Anemia (various types)
  • Hemorrhage
  • Bone marrow failure (for example, from radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor)
  • Erythropoietin deficiency (secondary to renal disease)
  • Hemolysis (RBC destruction) from transfusion reaction
  • Leukemia
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Malnutrition (nutritional deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6)
  • Over hydration

Low numbers of white blood cells (leukopenia) may indicate:

  • Bone marrow failure (for example, due to granuloma (granular tumor), tumor, or fibrosis)
  • Presence of cytotoxic substance
  • Collagen-vascular diseases (such as lupus erythematosus)
  • Disease of the liver or spleen
  • Radiation exposure

High numbers of white blood cells (leukocytosis) may indicate:

  • Infectious diseases
  • Inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergy)
  • Leukemia
  • Severe emotional or physical stress
  • Tissue damage (for example, burns)

A low hematocrit may indicate:

  • Anemia (various types)
  • Blood loss (hemorrhage)
  • Bone marrow failure (for example, due to radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor)
  • Hemolysis (RBC destruction) related to transfusion reaction
  • Leukemia
  • Malnutrition or specific nutritional deficiency
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Over hydration
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

A high hematocrit may indicate:

  • Dehydration
  • Burns
  • Diarrhea
  • Eclampsia
  • Erythrocytosis
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Shock

Low hemoglobin values may indicate:

  • Anemia (various types)
  • Blood loss
Review Date: 9/11/2006
Reviewed By: Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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