Complete Blood Count

A complete blood count (CBC) is a panel of tests typically ordered to ensure the levels of the different types of cells in the blood are within normal ranges. A CBC is a relatively fast and painless procedure requiring less than a drop of blood.

A CBC will measure:

• the number of red blood cells in the blood;
• the amount of hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen);
• the percentage of red blood cells in the blood (called the hematocrit);
• the number of white blood cells in the blood and the percentages of the individual types of white blood cells;
• the number of platelets in the blood.
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a measurement of the average size of your RBCs. The MCV can be elevated in anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. A decrease can indicate iron deficiency anemia or thalassemias.

Throughout your illness - and particularly when undergoing chemotherapy -- your doctor will order bloodwork and monitor the results. If your CBC indicates you are developing anemia, read about Treatment Options. Even if your hemoglobin is just getting to the lower range of normal, you can make changes to your diet to help boost your iron levels before it becomes a serious problem.