How to read a complete blood count

The CBC is one of the most requested tests, and its many numbers can worry you if you do not know them.

Haemoglobin (Hb) measures how well blood carries oxygen; low Hb means anaemia. Cell size (MCV) suggests the type: small usually means low iron, large usually low B12 or folate.

White cells (WBC) rise with bacterial infections, and platelets (PLT) are responsible for clotting.

A single number outside the range is not always a problem; our lab doctor can explain the result for free.