Which blood cells are measured in a complete blood count?

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blood analysis The physical and chemical properties of a sample of blood are examined during blood analysis. The examination of blood is important for the accurate diagnosis of disease.

A complete blood count (CBC) is a laboratory test that measures several key components of the blood to assess overall health and diagnose conditions such as anemia, infection, and cancer.

The specific blood cells and related components measured include:

Red blood cells (erythrocytes): The test quantifies these cells and may also measure reticulocytes, which are immature red blood cells.1
White blood cells (leukocytes): The CBC measures the total count of these cells. A separate white blood cell differential can also be performed to determine the percentage of specific types, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.1
Platelets: These are also quantified during the analysis.1

Additionally, the test measures hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and various red cell indices, such as the average size of the red blood cells.1