What Is A Complete Blood Count?
A commonly prescribed medical test used these days to decipher if you are sick, experiencing trouble, healthy or to best find why you are in discomfort or medical red-flag is a blood test known as a Complete Blood Count Test, or more often explained as, CBC, the acronym.
Humans couldn't exist unless we had blood flowing from top to bottom within our bodies. It, makes sense it is one of the first places to look when determining diagnosis. CBC blood tests are often called out by doctors in television shows these days, but in reality, it is a vital step in being sure what is normal and what is not right with you, internally.
CBC blood tests can be prescribed by a doctor simply when you're are under the weather, fatigued, or even when you simply have the flu. You need not be at death's door, nor obviously ill to have CBC blood tests ordered.
But, that said, every year when you visit your doctor, or physician for your annual physical, if your physician does not order a CBC Blood Test, by all means, ask for one. It is the cheapest, 'no brainer', perhaps life-saving thing you can do and should do at least once a year.
Your complete blood count test, or CBC is a representation of your internal (which fuels your exterior) health and if there's something to worry about, odds are, warning signs will be found within your blood and its makeup. Not always, but more often enough. Several determining factors are examined in CBC Blood Tests: white and red blood cell counts or levels, the HCT (or Hematocrit, which basically is defined by the volume of space which your blood occupies), Hgb (or Hemoglobin that accounts for the oxygen within your blood cells), and platelet count which makes it possible for your blood's ability to clot.
Too many of one or too few of another ingredient of your blood, depending on what numbers reveal themselves could be a warning that reveals to your medical staff what is really going on. While the diagnosis variations can be vast and cover a wide spectrum, having a CBC Blood Test at least per year, after visiting your doctor can provide you the answers to most questions about your internal and external health, that physical touch, listening to your heart, checking your lungs and opening your mouth and saying, 'Ahhhh,' just can't do.
A CBC (Complete Blood Count) Test (or Tests) can give you specific reasons why you're fatigued, not feeling 'normal', bruising more often than normal, having chest pains, have an infection, are having adverse reactions, plus a mountain of other potential issues. But, perhaps even more vital, such blood tests allow you the possibly life-saving, life stretching benefit of catching early warning signs of potentially debilitating and life threatening trouble if allowed to grow. Write this down now for both yourself and your family to consistently (at least once a year) take part in a CBC Blood Test or Complete Blood Count Tests. It may save your life and theirs, but even if nothing is terribly abnormal, it's a simple way to increase the quality of your current lifestyle.
Tapping into straight talk and good for you resources about the healthy living you want to achieve, is not as hard as you think. No matter your interest: from blending up a favorite banana smoothie recipe to what foods to eat to boost energy and shed pounds, you name it. Deciding to have a healthy living doesn't have to be boring, or at all challenging if you do not want it to be, nor is it mandatory that you have to forgo all the tastes, fun and adventure you seek out now as much of the time, is the myth.
Published October 3rd, 2007
Filed in Science
