The Meaning of Complete Blood Count (CBC) Abbreviations
Key takeaways:
A complete blood count (CBC) is a lab test that measures your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
It’s a common blood test that can be part of a routine screening, a workup for a new symptom, or the diagnosis of a suspected condition.
It’s common to have results that are outside the “normal” range, but that doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong. A healthcare professional can help you interpret your results.
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.
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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.
What’s the best blood test for dehydration? An electrolyte panel includes different tests that can help assess hydration status and kidney function.
Diagnosing a blood infection: A complete blood count (CBC) can look for signs of an infection, but it won’t tell you which infection it is. A blood culture can diagnose specific bacteria.
Are your blood counts low? Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most common causes of low blood counts. Learn if you’re at risk and how it’s treated.
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:
Neutrophils: These are the most common type of white blood cells. They help fight infections and clear out damaged tissue.
Lymphocytes: These are the next most common type. They help develop antibodies, so it’s easier to fight an infection if it happens again.
Monocytes: These perform a similar job to neutrophils. They help gobble up cells that have been damaged by a foreign invader.
Eosinophils: These white blood cells respond to parasites as well as inflammatory reactions, like allergies.
Basophils: These are the cells that release histamines, which are the molecules responsible for causing allergic reactions.
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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.
Cell type | Reference range |
|---|---|
Red blood count (RBC) | 4.2-6.2 cells per microliter |
Hemoglobin (HGB) | 12-18 g per dL |
Hematocrit (HCT) | 36%-54% |
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) | 80-100 fL |
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) | 27-32 picograms per cell |
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) | 34% |
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) | 11.5%-15% |
White blood cell count (WBC) | 4,500-11,000 cells per microliter |
Neutrophils (NEUT) | 40%-60% |
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) | 2,500-7,000 cells per microliter |
Lymphocytes (LYMPH) | 20%-40% |
Monocytes (MONO) | 2%-8% |
Eosinophils (EOS) | 0%-4% |
Basophils (BASO) | .5%-1% |
Platelets (PLT) | 150-400 thousand cells per microliter |
Mean platelet volume (MPV) |
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
A CBC can’t detect a specific infection. But since it measures white blood cells, it can detect if your immune system is trying to fight off an infection. For example, someone with an infection will often have a white blood cell count that’s higher than normal. There are additional tests — like a blood culture — that can look for the specific type of infection you have.
A CBC isn’t a blood test for dehydration. A better test for dehydration is an electrolyte blood test. That being said, severe dehydration can sometimes lead to abnormalities in a CBC. When there’s less water in the body, the blood is more concentrated. This can cause some of the values — like hemoglobin — to appear falsely elevated.
In most cases, drinking water will not affect your CBC. But there are some exceptions. As we explained above, your hydration affects the concentration of your blood. So drinking water is only likely to affect your results if you’re severely dehydrated.
The bottom line
The CBC is a common test that can be part of a routine physical. It can also be an important tool to diagnose a variety of health conditions. It’s very common for CBC results to be slightly higher or lower than the normal range. Remember that your body is dynamic and designed to change and respond to your environment. So, an abnormal result might be expected or healthy for your body. Review your results with a healthcare professional who can help shed some light on what your results mean for you.
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References
American Society of Hematology. (n.d.). Anemia.
Brihi, J. E., et al. (2024). Normal and abnormal complete blood count with differential. StatPearls.
Demirin, H., et al. (2011). Normal range of mean platelet volume in healthy subjects: Insight from a large epidemiologic study. Thrombosis Research.
Patel, R. H., et al. (2023). Biochemistry, histamine. StatPearls.
Testing.com. (2021). Reference ranges and what they mean.
