CBC test stands for Complete Blood Count test, and it is one of the most common tests carried out on people who have been struggling with certain physical issues. For instance, a person who has had fatigue for a while now and occasionally feels dizzy might get recommended to get a CBC test done by their doctor.
However, how much do we know about aspects like what process does the test follow or what is the CBC test price? It is crucial to possess some basic knowledge about anything that we get tested for, and this test is no exception. Hence in this article, we will be checking out the top 9 things to know about the CBC test.
- Indication of general health
The CBC blood test is used to assess the levels of various components of blood. Hence aspects like Red blood cells, White blood cells, Platelets, Hemoglobin, and Hematocrit are tested in this blood test.
A thorough assessment of the level of each component helps the medical professional to help suggest further tests that might be required. While the CBC blood test simply indicates the
status of a patient’s general health, conditions like anemia can be diagnosed through it too.
- No compulsion of fasting
Typically, one does not need to fast before getting their CBC test done. However, there are some cases where the medical professional might want to assess the blood’s glucose levels too – and in that case, one might have to fast for about 12 hours before getting tested. It is best to clarify this with the doctor beforehand.
- No risks involved
Like most general tests, the CBC blood test does not involve risks of any complications. Mild issues like small bruises developing or feeling dizzy might pertain for a while, but they go away quickly. In case of any side effects that might exist for a time frame that is longer than usual, one should contact their doctor immediately.
- The result varies for different people
While it is best if your CBC blood test levels lie within the normal range, one does not need to panic if they don’t. It is common for the results of this test to vary because of numerous factors like menstruation and diet. One should tell everything about their lifestyle to their doctor and then discuss the results for the best management of abnormal CBC levels.
- Identify Infections
It is a known fact that the white blood cells of our body act as fighters against possible infections. Hence, if the body is infected the count of white blood cells increases significantly. The CBC blood test allows us to identify this increase, which further allows medical professionals to identify the kind of infection within the body.
- Identifying Deficiencies
The CBC blood tests are also useful for diagnosing several deficiencies. For instance, a lack of red blood cells in the test results might imply the presence of the condition of anemia – which is the deficiency of iron within the body.
Additionally, the shape and size of red blood cells can also help doctors diagnose certain deficiencies. For instance, if the shape of the red blood cells in the CBC blood test sample of a patient resembles a sickle – it might imply the presence of a sickle cell disease within the body.
- Check on present conditions
Apart from diagnosing conditions, a CBC blood test also allows doctors to keep a check on the conditions that the patient might be suffering from at the present. This allows them to assess whether or not the treatment plan that they recommended is effective for their patient.
The blood count allows doctors to see the progress of the patient after being put on medications. If there is no progress at all, or worse, if the condition gets more severe than it was before – treatment options can be altered accordingly to better suit the needs of the patient’s body.
- CBC tests should be a part of your routine tests
While it is convenient to feel that one only needs to get tested when they feel the symptoms – it may not hold the best relevance in the case of a CBC test. Since most medical conditions within the blood of a patient’s body do not have any significant symptoms until much later, it is not possible to look for early signs. Hence, people should get tested for it routinely.
- What is the CBC test price?
The CBC test price is quite affordable. Depending on the city you live in and the clinic you choose to get tested in, the CBC test price of this test might vary from 300 rs to 400 rs.
Conclusion
CBC blood tests are a very important part of general health checkups and should never be skipped. Since most blood diseases do not show symptoms until much later, it is important to know the status of your blood health from time to time.
Hopefully, this article provides you with all the vital information such as what is, CBC test price, and everything else that you need to know about a CBC blood test.
