Medical Health Encyclopedia

Complete blood count

Results:

Normal values vary with altitude and gender.

What abnormal results may mean:

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Low numbers of red blood cells may indicate:

• Blood loss
• Anemia (various types)
• Hemorrhage
• Bone marrow failure (for example, from radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor)
• Erythropoietin deficiency (secondary to renal disease)
• Hemolysis (RBC destruction) from transfusion reaction
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Malnutrition (nutritional deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6)
• Over hydration

Low numbers of white blood cells (leukopenia) may indicate:

• Bone marrow failure (for example, due to granuloma (granular tumor), tumor, or fibrosis)
• Presence of cytotoxic substance
• Collagen-vascular diseases (such as lupus erythematosus)
• Disease of the liver or spleen
• Radiation exposure

High numbers of white blood cells (leukocytosis) may indicate:

• Infectious diseases
• Inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergy)
• Leukemia
• Severe emotional or physical stress
• Tissue damage (for example, burns)

A low hematocrit may indicate:

• Anemia (various types)
• Blood loss (hemorrhage)
• Bone marrow failure (for example, due to radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor)
• Hemolysis (RBC destruction) related to transfusion reaction
• Leukemia
• Malnutrition or specific nutritional deficiency
• Multiple myeloma
• Over hydration
• Rheumatoid arthritis

A high hematocrit may indicate:

• Dehydration
• Burns
• Diarrhea
• Eclampsia
• Erythrocytosis
• Polycythemia vera
• Shock

Low hemoglobin values may indicate:

• Anemia (various types)
• Blood loss

Results, part 2

High numbers of red blood cells may indicate:

• Low oxygen tension in the blood.
• Congenital heart disease.
• Cor pulmonale.
• Pulmonary fibrosis.
• Polycythemia vera.
• Dehydration (such as from severe diarrhea).
• Renal (kidney) disease with high erythropoietin production.

Review Date:
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team