Full blood count report

Understanding a full blood count (FBC)

or complete blood count (CBC)

Blood test results generally use the metric system of measurement and various abbreviations, including:

• cmm: cells per cubic millimeter
• fL (femtoliter): fraction of one-millionth of a liter
• g/dL: grams per deciliter
• IU/L: international units per liter
• mEq/L: milliequivalent per liter
• mg/dL: milligrams per deciliter
• mL: milliliter
• mmol/L: millimoles per liter
• ng/mL: nanograms per milliliter
• pg (picograms): one-trillionth of a gram

A standard CBC includes:

Translations

What does an abnormal CBC report mean?

Abnormalities in blood cell count can be caused by various reasons, depending on which blood component is involved. A CBC is not a definitive diagnostic test. Blood cell counts that are too high or too low could signal a wide variety of conditions. Specialized tests are needed to diagnose a specific condition.Conditions that could cause an abnormal CBC and may require additional testing include:

• Iron or other vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Bleeding disorders
• Heart disease
• Autoimmune disorders, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body.
• Bone marrow problems
• Cancer
• Infection or inflammation
• Reaction to medication

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