

Their job is to identify and fight off any foreign invaders, like viruses or bacteria. White blood cells (WBCs) are an important part of your immune system. A CBC will measure both your red blood cells and your hemoglobin.


Hemoglobin is the protein inside red blood cells that is specifically designed to hold onto oxygen molecules. They are able to do this because they contain a substance called hemoglobin. Their main role is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and to pick up carbon dioxide from the body to bring back to the lungs. Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most common type of cell in the blood. There are three main types of cells in our blood: red, white, and platelets. Blood is made up of many different types of cells, all carried in a nutrient-rich fluid called plasma. It can be used to look for specific conditions, like low blood counts ( anemia) or signs of an infection.īlood may seem like a simple liquid, but it’s actually rather complex. It provides a broad picture of your overall health.Ībnormal values may help detect underlying, undiagnosed health conditions that may not be causing any obvious symptoms. It is a lab test that analyzes a sample of blood, and it is useful for several reasons: A complete blood count is frequently part of a routine medical screening, like when you see your primary healthcare provider for an annual physical exam.
