Complete Hemogram (CBC+ESR)

The blood consists of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets that perform important bodily functions. RBCs are the most abundant cells in the blood that consist of a protein called hemoglobin. This protein helps transport oxygen throughout the body. WBCs are the components of the immune system and help protect the body against infections and cancers. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting and controlling bleeding. Therefore, determining the levels of these cells can provide important health information. Your doctor may advise a Complete Hemogram (CBC & ESR) test if you show symptoms like weakness, fever, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, joint stiffness, shoulder pain, or bruising. This test helps to screen, detect, and monitor medical conditions like infections, nutritional deficiencies, anemia, bleeding disorders, and blood cancers. It also helps the doctor to monitor existing blood disorders. Additionally, this test supports ongoing treatments of conditions that affect your blood cells, like inflammatory diseases. Usually, an overnight fasting for 8-12 hours is preferred for this test; however, it is not mandatory. Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help them assess your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your condition and formulate your overall treatment plan.