The complete blood formula is the blood test that evaluates the cells that make up the blood, such as white blood cells, red blood cells, also called red blood cells or erythrocytes and platelets.
The part of the blood formula that corresponds to the red blood cell test is called an erythrogram that, in addition to indicating the number of blood cells, reports on the quality of red blood cells, indicating whether they are the appropriate size or the recommended amounts of hemoglobin inside, which helps clarify the causes of anemia, for example. This information is provided by hematimetric indexes, which are HCM, VCM, CHCM, and RDW.
- Fasting is not necessary for collection.
- However.
- It is recommended not to perform physical activity 24 hours before the exam and to stay 48 hours without drinking any type of alcoholic beverage.
- As this may alter the result.
The blood formula is used to help diagnose and monitor the progress of diseases that cause blood changes, such as:
In addition, CBC is useful for monitoring chronic diseases that can lead to anemia, such as kidney failure, rheumatoid arthritis, heart failure or lung disease, for example.
The test is performed automatically using a flow cytometry team, which has the function of counting, evaluating and classifying the blood cells according to several established criteria.
However, even with the result provided by the equipment, it is necessary that a microscopic test, called differential blood smear count, be performed by a qualified clinical analysis professional. Differential counting consists of the differentiation of leukocytes and the visualization of structures present in red blood cells or leukocytes. In addition, microscopic counting allows the identification of immature cells and can therefore help in the diagnosis of leukemia, for example.
To interpret the blood formula, your doctor should look at your results and check whether the values are normal, high, or low, as well as correlate them with any symptoms the person presents and the result of other tests that may have been requested.
If you recently had a blood test and want to understand what the result might mean, enter your contact information here:
Some situations that can be observed in a blood formula include
Erythrogram is the part of the blood formula count in which the characteristics of red blood cells, erythrocytes, also called erythrocytes, are analyzed.
In addition to the amount of red blood cells, a blood formula should also analyze its morphological characteristics, as they may also indicate diseases. This evaluation is performed using the following hematimetric indexes:
Learn more about the blood formula reference values
Leukogram is an important test to help verify a person’s immunity and how the body can react to different situations, such as infections and inflammations, for example. When the concentration of leukocytes is high, the situation is called leukocytosis and, conversely, leukopenia. Learn how to understand white blood cell results.
Platelets are actually fragments of cells that are very important because they are responsible for triggering the clotting process. The normal platelet value should be between 150,000 and 450,000/mm3 of blood.
High platelets are worrisome because they can cause blood clots and thrombus, with a risk of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, for example. When reduced, they can increase the risk of bleeding. Know what’s causing it and what to do if your platelets are low.