A blood panel, also known as a complete blood count, is a test used to assess overall health and screen for various ailments. It includes white and red blood cell counts, platelet counts, and measures hemoglobin and packed cell volume. The test is often done as part of a routine medical checkup or to diagnose infections or blood disorders. No preparation is required, and the test is usually automated for accuracy.
A blood panel is a test used to assess a patient’s overall health and to screen for a wide variety of ailments. It is also known as a complete blood count (CBC), complete blood count (FBC), or hemogram. This test is often done as part of a routine medical checkup or at the request of a doctor looking for specific information.
No preparation is required for a blood panel. The healthcare professional will wrap a rubber band around your upper arm to stop the blood flow and to make it easier to find the veins. The skin of the needle site is cleaned and the needle is inserted into the vein. A tube attached to the needle fills with blood and the site is bandaged. The sample in the tube is then combined with an anticoagulant to keep it from clotting before the test can be performed.
Blood panels were performed by placing a slide of the blood sample under a microscope and manually counting the cells; today testing is usually automated. The tube is placed on a rack on an automated analyzer. A small amount of the sample is removed via a small, narrow tube containing sensors that count the type and number of cells passing through it. Sensors usually detect light or measure electrical impedance and use characteristics such as size to determine what type of cells are present. This automated blood panel is very accurate, so a manual count is only done if there are indeterminate results caused by variables such as abnormal cells.
A blood panel includes both white blood cell counts and red blood cell counts. It also provides a white blood cell differential, a count of different types of white blood cells that can provide information about your immune system, such as identifying an allergic reaction. Red blood cell indices measure the amount and concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells, as well as their average size. This test also includes a packed cell volume test, which measures the amount of space red blood cells occupy in the blood. Platelets are counted to measure the body’s ability to clot or control bleeding.
In addition to a routine medical exam, blood panels may be done for a variety of reasons. Doctors order them for patients who have unexplained symptoms, such as excessive tiredness or weakness. A blood test can help diagnose infections or blood disorders such as leukemia. Doctors also use this test to check for abnormal readings, or excessive bleeding or clotting, before surgery. The blood panel is a commonly performed test because it provides a picture of overall health and can be used to diagnose or detect conditions that may need further treatment.
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