Lab test · Hematology
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Blood count, infection & anaemia
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Blood count, infection & anaemia
A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot. It also measures haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen. It is one of the most common blood tests and gives your doctor a broad picture of your general health.
Why a doctor may order it
- To check for anaemia when you feel tired, weak or short of breath
- To look for signs of an infection or inflammation, for example during a fever
- To follow the platelet count during dengue fever
- As part of a routine health check-up or before an operation
- To monitor a known blood condition or the effect of some medicines
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You can usually eat and drink as normal before this test. Keep taking your regular medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise, and tell the collector if you take a blood thinner. Drinking plain water beforehand makes the blood draw easier.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- A trained sample collector comes to your home at the time you book and takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. It takes a few minutes. The tube is sealed, labelled with your details and taken to the laboratory.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
Your report lists each count next to the laboratory's reference range. A low haemoglobin can point to anaemia, a high white cell count can suggest an infection, and a low platelet count needs attention during dengue. One result outside the range does not always mean something is wrong. Your doctor will read the results together with your symptoms and history.
What's included
This test reports 8 measurements:
- Haemoglobin
- Red cell count
- Haematocrit (PCV)
- MCV, MCH, MCHC
- RDW
- White cell count
- Differential count
- Platelet count
Related tests
- CBC with ESRBlood count, infection & inflammation৳250
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)The ESR measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tall, thin tube over a set time.
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP), QuantitativeC-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver in response to inflammation.
- Dengue NS1 AntigenThe dengue NS1 test looks for NS1, a protein made by the dengue virus, in the blood.
- Serum FerritinFerritin is a protein that stores iron inside the body's cells, and the small amount in the blood reflects how much iron you have stored.
- Peripheral Blood Film (PBF)In a peripheral blood film, a drop of your blood is spread thinly on a glass slide, stained and examined under a microscope.
Questions people ask
Do I need to fast before a CBC test?
No. A CBC does not need fasting. If your doctor has booked it together with a fasting test, such as fasting blood sugar or a lipid profile, follow the fasting instructions for that test.
Why is CBC done during dengue?
Dengue can lower the platelet count and change the haematocrit. Doctors often repeat the CBC every day or two during dengue to watch these numbers.
Can a CBC detect cancer?
A CBC cannot diagnose cancer on its own. Unusual counts can prompt your doctor to order further tests to find the cause.
What is the difference between CBC and CBC with ESR?
CBC with ESR adds the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a general marker of inflammation, to the same blood sample.
How much does a CBC test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳550, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the CBC test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the CBC report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.