A Complete Blood Count, or CBC, is the most common blood test in Pakistan. Doctors order it for fever, tiredness, before surgery and in almost every checkup. Then the report arrives on WhatsApp with more than fifteen lines of abbreviations, and most people only look for the numbers marked in bold.
This guide walks through your CBC report line by line, so you know what each number means before you see your doctor.
Quick Answers
- A CBC has three main parts: red cells, white cells and platelets.
- Hb (haemoglobin) is the main anaemia check. Below 12 g/dL in women or 13.5 in men is usually low.
- MCV tells you if red cells are small, normal or large, which points to the cause of anaemia.
- WBC goes up in many bacterial infections and often down in viral ones like dengue.
- Platelets are normally 150,000 to 450,000. They often drop in dengue.
- A value slightly outside the range is often normal for that person. Patterns matter more than one number.
Part 1: The Red Cell Section
The first block of your report describes red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body.
| Line on report | What it measures | Typical adult range | Low may mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hb (Haemoglobin) | Oxygen carrying protein | Men 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL; women 12 to 15.5 g/dL | Anaemia from iron, B12, blood loss or thalassemia |
| RBC count | Number of red cells | Men 4.5 to 5.9; women 4.0 to 5.2 million/µL | Anaemia; a high RBC with low MCV hints at thalassemia trait |
| HCT / PCV | Share of blood made of red cells | Men 41 to 53%; women 36 to 46% | Anaemia; a rising HCT in dengue can signal fluid leak |
| MCV | Average size of red cells | 80 to 100 fL | Small cells: iron deficiency or thalassemia trait |
| MCH / MCHC | Haemoglobin per red cell | MCH 27 to 33 pg; MCHC 32 to 36 g/dL | Pale cells, usually iron deficiency or trait |
| RDW | How much cell sizes vary | 11.5 to 14.5% | High RDW with low MCV points to iron deficiency |
What doctors look for first
If your Hb is low, the next question is why. That is where MCV comes in:
- Low MCV (small cells): usually iron deficiency or thalassemia trait. Both are very common in Punjab.
- Normal MCV: often from long term illness, kidney disease or recent blood loss.
- High MCV (large cells): often vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, or alcohol and some medicines.
A useful clue: in thalassemia trait, the RBC count is often normal or high even though MCV is low, while in iron deficiency both tend to be low. This is a hint for your doctor, not a diagnosis. Our guide to anaemia and B12 tests explains the next steps.
Part 2: White Cells and Platelets
| Line on report | Typical adult range | High may mean | Low may mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| WBC (total) | 4,000 to 11,000 /µL | Infection, inflammation, steroids | Viral infection such as dengue, some medicines |
| Neutrophils | 40 to 75% | Bacterial infection | Viral infection, typhoid, some medicines |
| Lymphocytes | 20 to 45% | Viral infection, recovery phase | Stress, steroids, some infections |
| Eosinophils | 1 to 6% | Allergy, asthma, worms | Usually not important |
| Monocytes | 2 to 10% | Recovery from infection, TB, long term illness | Usually not important |
| Platelets | 150,000 to 450,000 /µL | Inflammation, iron deficiency | Dengue, viral infection, malaria, clumped sample |
The differential count
The “differential” splits your white cells into types. It helps your doctor guess what kind of infection you have:
- Neutrophils high: points towards a bacterial infection, such as a chest or urine infection.
- Lymphocytes high: more typical of viral infections.
- Eosinophils high: common with allergy, asthma and stomach worms.
Some reports show both percentages and absolute counts (cells per microlitre). Absolute counts are usually more meaningful.
Platelets
A low platelet count is the line people worry about most during dengue season. Remember that a sample can clump in the tube and show a falsely low count. If the number does not match how the patient looks, a repeat test settles it. For the full picture during dengue, see platelet count in dengue.
What Is ESR?
Many doctors add an ESR to the CBC. It measures how fast red cells settle in a tube. A high ESR is a general sign of inflammation from infection, arthritis, TB or other causes. It does not point to one disease, so it is always read with other tests.
Why Your Result May Be Flagged but Still Normal
Reference ranges cover about 95 percent of healthy people. That means 1 in 20 healthy people will fall slightly outside the range on any given line. Other reasons for a small change:
- Dehydration, which concentrates the blood
- A recent cold or vaccination
- Pregnancy, which lowers Hb a little
- Living at a higher altitude, smoking, or heavy exercise
- Differences between machines in different labs (see why test results can differ between labs)
When comparing reports over time, try to test at the same lab.
Do I Need to Fast for a CBC?
No. A CBC does not need fasting. If your doctor has also asked for sugar or cholesterol, follow the fasting advice for those.
Getting a CBC in Gujranwala
See the Complete Blood Count (CBC) test page for the current price and how to prepare. Book free home sampling or walk into any branch. You can find every branch address on our locations page.
Reports usually reach your WhatsApp within a few hours. If something on your report worries you, message us and our team can explain what the numbers mean, so you are prepared before seeing your doctor.
Further reading: Complete Blood Count (CBC) (MedlinePlus).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal haemoglobin level?
For most adult women, 12 to 15.5 g/dL. For most adult men, 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL. Children and pregnant women have different ranges.
Can a CBC detect cancer?
A CBC can show changes that make a doctor look further, such as very high or very abnormal white cells. It cannot diagnose most cancers on its own.
Can a CBC show infection?
Yes, it often gives clues. A high WBC and neutrophils suggest bacterial infection, while low WBC is common in viral infections like dengue.
Why are my eosinophils high?
The most common causes are allergies, asthma and stomach worms. Your doctor may ask about symptoms or suggest an IgE test or a stool test.
How long does a CBC report take?
At City Care Lab, usually a few hours, and always the same day.
This guide is general health information from the City Care Lab team in Gujranwala. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.