Full Blood Count (FBC): Parameters, Procedure, Normal Ranges, and More

A full body count (FBC) test and a complete blood count (CBC) test are routine blood tests that evaluate overall health by measuring various blood components. These include red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. This test provides a general snapshot of your health and detects various diseases, including anemia, infections, inflammation, nutritional status, and blood cancers. The FBC test not only tests for blood disorders and abnormalities but can also indicate disease present in other organs as blood travels throughout the body. 

Read more about the FBC test, its importance, procedure, test results, and more.

What is Full Body Count, and Why is it Done?

The Full Body Count test is a comprehensive blood analysis. Here’s what it measures and why it’s conducted:

• Red Blood Cells (RBCs)- RBCs transport oxygen throughout the body. Abnormal levels may indicate anemia or dehydration.
• White Blood Cells (WBCs) fight infections. A high or low count can signify immune system issues or infections.
• Hemoglobin- The protein in RBCs that carries oxygen. Low hemoglobin levels mean you have iron deficiency or other blood disorders.
• Platelets- Essential for blood clotting, abnormal platelet counts can suggest bleeding disorders or bone marrow issues.

The test is performed to:

• Diagnose symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, fever, inflammation, or bruising.
• Monitor conditions like leukemia or chronic infections.
• Ensure overall health during routine medical checkups.

What is the Importance of the FBC Test?

The FBC test is an important blood test that helps assess the blood components to assess your overall health. It can:

• Risk of Infections- Abnormal WBC counts may indicate the risk of infections or inflammation in the body.
• Diagnose Blood Disorders- The test helps identify conditions like anemia, polycythemia, and leukemia.
• Monitor Chronic Diseases—Conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems often require regular FBC tests for effective management.
• Evaluate General Health- Doctors often recommend an FBC during routine checkups to identify potential health issues early.

Are CBC and FBC the Same?

Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Full Body Count (FBC) are often used interchangeably. FBC and CBC tests are the same blood test, which refers to the same diagnostic test that analyzes blood components to assess overall health. However, FBC is more commonly used in some countries, while CBC is the standard term in others.

What does the FBC Test measure?

Here is what does the test detects-

1. Red Blood Cells (RBCs)—RBCs carry oxygen from the lungs to the other body parts. 

Here are the parameters of the RBC count-

• RBC Count: Number of red blood cells.
• Hemoglobin (Hb): Oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): Average size of red blood cells.
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): Average amount of hemoglobin in a red blood cell.
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): Hemoglobin concentration in a red blood cell.
• Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Variation in red blood cell size.

2. White Blood Cells (WBCs)- The WBCs fight infections, inflammation, and allergies.

The WBC parameters are mentioned below-

• WBC Count: Total count of white blood cells in the body.
• Differential WBC Count: It measures the percentage of different types of white blood cells, including:
• Neutrophils: Fight bacterial infections.
• Lymphocytes: Fight viral infections.
• Monocytes: Remove debris and pathogens.
• Eosinophils: Respond to allergies and parasitic infections.
• Basophils: Involved in allergic reactions.

3. Platelets (Thrombocytes)- The test helps clot the blood to stop bleeding.

Here are the Platelet parameters-

• Platelet Count: Total number of platelets.
• Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): Average size of platelets.
• Platelet Distribution Width (PDW): Variation in platelet size.

Why is an FBC Test Done?

A FBC test is a common test that helps screen, diagnose, and monitor various conditions. It can also be used as a part of routine checkups-

• Diagnose infections, anemia, and clotting disorders.
• Monitor medical conditions like leukemia or autoimmune diseases.
• Track the effects of treatments such as chemotherapy.
• Response to certain treatments
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies

Who Should Take the FBC Test?

The FBC blood test is recommended for:

• Symptoms—The FBC test must be taken by people experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, fever, infections, or bruising.
• Routine Health Checkups—You can take FBC tests regularly to monitor overall health and detect early signs of disease.
• To Manage Chronic Conditions- people with diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders may require periodic FBC tests.
• Before Surgery- The test is recommended to assess the conditions that could complicate the procedure.
• Pregnant Women: Women should take the FBC blood test regularly to monitor their health and babies.
• Patients on Medications—Certain drugs, such as chemotherapy, can affect blood count. Therefore, people on these drugs should take the FBC test regularly. 

Why Should You Take the FBC Test?

The FBC test provides valuable insights into your health and helps- 

1. Early Detection of Diseases- Many conditions, such as anemia and infections, show up in blood counts before symptoms appear.
2. Monitor Health—This test is essential for people with chronic diseases, as it offers critical information on treatment effectiveness.
3. Guiding Treatment Plans: Abnormal results can help doctors tailor treatments more effectively.
4. Ensuring Preventive Care- Routine FBC tests can detect early signs of health issues and help reduce the chances of severe complications. 

Also read: CBC Test: Normal Range, What do Abnormal Levels Indicate?

What Preparations are required before the FBC Test?

The preparation for the FBC test is simple, like other blood tests. Here is what you might take care of before taking the FBC test-

• Fasting- No fasting is required before the FBC test; you can eat and drink normally. 
• Hydration- Keep yourself hydrated before the test to make the blood progress smoother.
• Medication- If you take any medications or supplements, tell your doctor, as some can impact your test results.
• Comfortable Clothing: Wear loose-fitting clothes to allow easy access to your arm.

The procedure of the FBC Test

Here is the step-by-step process of the FBC test-

• The healthcare provider or phlebotomist will ask you to lift your arm sleeves to access the arm. He will then examine the vein by touching and cleaning the arm area with an antiseptic solution. 

• Next, he ties a tourniquet or band tightly to make the veins more visible.
• Next, he will use a sterile needle or syringe to collect and store the blood sample in the vial or tube.
• Once the blood sample is collected, the syringe is removed, and a bandage is applied.
• After, the sample is sent to the lab for analysis in temperature-controlled bags.

The procedure is safe and only takes a few minutes to complete. After the blood sample is collected, you can do your daily activities.

How to Understand FBC Test Reports?

Here is what the FBC test reports indicate- 

Parameter	FBC test Normal Range	What High Levels May Indicate	What Low Levels May Indicate
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count	Normal Range- 3.8 - 4.8 million/μL	Dehydration, Polycythemia vera, Lung diseases	Anemia, Blood loss, Nutritional deficiencies (iron, B12, folate)
Hemoglobin (Hb)	Normal Range 12.0 - 15.0g/dL	Dehydration, Smoking, Polycythemia	Anemia, Nutritional deficiencies, Blood loss
White Blood Cell (WBC) Count	Normal range- 4,000–10,000 cells/μL	Infection, Inflammation, Leukemia, Stress	Bone marrow issues, Autoimmune disorders, Severe infections
Differential WBC Count	Neutrophils: 40–80% Lymphocytes: 20–40% Monocytes: 2–10% Eosinophils: 1–6% Basophils: <2%	Neutrophils: Bacterial infections, Stress Lymphocytes: Viral infections, Chronic inflammation Monocytes: Chronic infections Eosinophils: Allergies, Parasites Basophils: Allergic reactions, Leukemia	Neutrophils: Bone marrow suppression Lymphocytes: HIV/AIDS Monocytes: Bone marrow issues Eosinophils: Steroid use Basophils: Stress, Hyperthyroidism
Platelet Count	150,000–410,000/μL	Clotting disorders, Infection, Inflammation	Increased bleeding risk, Bone marrow issues
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)	90–120 fL	Macrocytic anemia (e.g., Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency)	Microcytic anemia (e.g., iron deficiency)
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)	27–33 pg	Macrocytic anemia	Microcytic anemia
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)	31.5–34.5 g/dL	Spherocytosis, Hemolysis	Hypochromic anemia (e.g., iron deficiency)
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)	11.6–14%	Mixed anemia types, Iron deficiency	Uniform red blood cell size
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)	9.3–12.1 fL	Platelet overproduction or destruction	Bone marrow disorders

The Final Words

The Full blood count test is important for understanding your overall health and detecting underlying health issues like infections, anemia, or clotting disorders.

You can also take the FBC or CBC test from Redcliffe Labs. You can book your test online, and a certified professional will come to your home to collect samples. However, if you find any issues in your test reports, always discuss your results with your doctor for accurate diagnosis and treatment.