The Meaning of Complete Blood Count (CBC) Abbreviations

A complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common blood tests. It's typically included in any type of routine testing or medical workup. But when you get your results, they can be hard to read and understand. So, we created this guide to help you decode the abbreviations, understand what's measured, and know what it means if your results are abnormal.

What is a CBC blood test?

CBC is the medical abbreviation for "complete blood count." It's a blood test that measures all the cells and components in your blood. In order to perform the test, a healthcare professional will take a small blood sample.

A CBC can help monitor different health conditions. It's frequently part of a routine medical screening, like when you see your primary care provider for an annual physical exam.

But if you're experiencing new symptoms, you may also need a CBC to help diagnose a medical condition. So a CBC is useful for several reasons:

• It provides a broad picture of your overall health.

• It can warn you about possible issues. Abnormal values may help detect underlying health conditions that may not be causing obvious symptoms.

• It can be used to look for specific conditions. A CBC can detect things like low blood counts (anemia), infection, inflammation, or even certain types of cancer.

What are the different types of blood cells?

Before we go through all the abbreviations in a CBC, it helps to first understand the different types of blood cells.

Blood may seem like a simple liquid, but it's actually rather complex. It's made up of many different types of cells, all carried in a nutrient-rich fluid called plasma. There are three main types of cells in our blood that are measured in a CBC: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

1. Red blood cells

Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most common type of cell in the blood. Their main role is to carry oxygen to all the different parts of the body. In doing this, they also clear out carbon dioxide in the body.

They're able to do this because they contain a substance called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein inside red blood cells that's specifically designed to hold onto oxygen molecules.

A CBC will measure both your red blood cells and your hemoglobin.

2. White blood cells

White blood cells (WBCs) are an important part of your immune system. Their job is to identify and fight off any foreign invaders, like viruses or bacteria.

A CBC measures your overall number of white blood cells. But it also measures the different types of white blood cells that are present. This is called a white blood cell differential (also known as a "CBC with diff"). It includes the five main types of white blood cells:

1. Neutrophils: These are the most common type of white blood cells. They help fight infections and clear out damaged tissue.

2. Lymphocytes: These are the next most common type. They help develop antibodies, so it's easier to fight an infection if it happens again.

3. Monocytes: These perform a similar job to neutrophils. They help gobble up cells that have been damaged by a foreign invader.

4. Eosinophils: These white blood cells respond to parasites as well as inflammatory reactions, like allergies.

5. Basophils: These are the cells that release histamines, which are the molecules responsible for causing allergic reactions.

Together, these five types of white blood cells work as a team to help your body fight off infections.

3. Platelets

Platelets are slightly different from red and white blood cells. They're actually not cells but cell fragments. Platelets help your blood clot by clumping together at the site of a cut or injury in the blood vessel.

What does a complete blood count measure?

When you look at your CBC results, you'll see many different medical abbreviations that may seem confusing. These abbreviations are just different measurements of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Some of these measurements are the actual number of cells. But other measurements are the percentage (or concentration) of each cell type compared to the rest of the blood. So let's break them all down for you.

Red blood cell values

These measurements tell you the number and general characteristics of your red blood cells:

• RBC (red blood cell count) = the number of red blood cells

• HCT (hematocrit) = how much of your total blood is made up of red blood cells

• MCV (mean corpuscular volume) = the average size of your red blood cells

• RDW (red blood cell distribution width) = how much your red blood cells vary in size

Hemoglobin values

These measurements tell you the amount and concentration of hemoglobin in your blood:

• HGB (hemoglobin) = the total amount of hemoglobin in your blood

• MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) = the average amount of hemoglobin you have in a single red blood cell

• MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) = the average concentration of hemoglobin in your blood

White blood cell values

These measurements tell you the number and concentration of different types of white blood cells you have:

• WBC (white blood cells) = the number of white blood cells

• NEUT (neutrophils) = the percentage of white blood cells that are neutrophils

• LYMPH (lymphocytes) = the percentage of white blood cells that are lymphocytes

• MONO (monocytes) = the percentage of white blood cells that are monocytes

• EOS (eosinophils) = the percentage of white blood cells that are eosinophils

• BASO (basophils) = the percentage of white blood cells that are basophils

• ANC (absolute neutrophil count) = the total number of neutrophils

Platelet values

Finally, these measurements tell you about the platelets in your blood:

• PLT (platelet count) = the number of platelets in your blood

• MPV (mean platelet volume) = the average size of your platelets

What if I have an abnormal result?

Quite often, a CBC will show results that are outside the normal range. These are often not a cause for concern, since the results might be normal for your body.

On your CBC, there will be a reference range of values next to your results. These are often called normal values. But it would be more accurate to think of them as a range of results that are generally expected for 95% of the population.

If your results are outside the reference range, this doesn't necessarily mean there's a medical concern. It's more telling if the result is significantly different than your prior results. For example, if you have a low red blood cell count, it may not be significant or a cause for concern if you had a similar red blood cell count on your CBC a year ago.

CBC reference ranges

Below are some reference ranges for CBC results. It's important to know that every lab is different, so the ranges for your results may vary slightly from these. Normal ranges can also vary between men and women.

If one of your results is outside of the expected range, talk with your primary care provider. They can help interpret your results and determine whether further testing is needed.

Frequently asked questions