HAEMATOLOGY PROFILE

A Full Blood Count (FBC) / Haematology Profile / Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most common types of blood test.

It's often done as part of a routine checkup. A Full Blood Count is also included in the Well Person, Well Man and Well Woman health checks.

A Full Blood Count measures many different parts of the blood and can help detect blood diseases and disorders including anaemia, infection, clotting problems, blood cancers, and immune system disorders.

The different parameters analysed when a full blood count blood test is requested are as follows:

Red Blood Cells

Red Blood Cells are one of the most vital components of the blood. A single drop of blood contains millions of red blood cells which are constantly travelling through your body delivering oxygen and removing waste. The cells are red because they contain a protein chemical called haemoglobin which is bright red in colour. Haemoglobin carries oxygen and gives the blood cell its red colour. The haemoglobin test measures the amount of haemoglobin in blood and is a good measure of the blood's ability to carry oxygen throughout the body.

HCT (haematocrit)

Haematocrit measures the amount of space (volume) red blood cells take up in the blood.

Red cell count

Red cell count analyses the number of red cells in the blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. They also carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs so it can be exhaled.

MCV (mean corpuscular volume)

MCV shows the size of the red blood cells.

MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin)

MCH is the amount of haemoglobin in an average red blood cell.

MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration)

MCHC is the concentration of haemoglobin in an average red blood cell.

RDW (red cell distribution width)

RDW shows if the cells are all the same or different sizes or shapes.

White Blood Cells

White Blood Cellsare the key to the bodys immune or defence system. They fight infections and protect our body from foreign particles such as harmful germs and bacteria. White blood cells are colourless as they do not contain any haemoglobin. They are formed from the stem cell of the bone marrow and have a life-span of a few of days.

The major types of white blood cells are neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Each type of cell plays a different role in protecting the body. The numbers of each one of these types of white blood cells give important information about the immune system.

Platelets

Clotting cells or Platelets are the smallest type of blood cell. They are important in blood clotting. When bleeding occurs, the platelets swell, clump together, and form a sticky plug that helps stop the bleeding. If there are too few platelets, uncontrolled bleeding may be a problem. If there are too many platelets, there is a chance of a blood clot forming in a blood vessel.

MPV (mean platelet volume)

MPV is a measurement of the average size of the platelets. New platelets are larger, and an increased MPV occurs when increased numbers of platelets are being produced. MPV provides an indication of platelet production in your bone marrow.