Poona Diagnostic Centre

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test is a comprehensive blood test used to evaluate overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection, and inflammation. It provides valuable information about the components of blood and the body’s inflammatory response.

The CBC measures the quantity and quality of various components in the blood:

• Red Blood Cells (RBCs): These cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Abnormal levels can indicate anemia, dehydration, or other conditions.
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• White Blood Cells (WBCs): These cells help fight infection. Elevated WBC counts may suggest infection, inflammation, or leukemia, while low counts can indicate a weakened immune system.
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• Hemoglobin (Hb): The protein in RBCs that carries oxygen. Low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia.
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• Hematocrit (Hct): The percentage of blood volume made up of RBCs. It helps assess anemia or dehydration.
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• Platelets: These help with blood clotting. Abnormal levels may indicate bleeding disorders, infections, or bone marrow issues.
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• Purpose: The ESR test measures the rate at which RBCs settle at the bottom of a test tube over one hour. A faster-than-normal rate suggests inflammation or infection.
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• Indications: High ESR can indicate conditions like autoimmune diseases, infections, or chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or tuberculosis.

• Diagnosing Anemia: The CBC helps detect low RBC count or low hemoglobin levels, indicating anemia.
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• Detecting Infections: Elevated WBC levels and ESR can signal the presence of infections.
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• Monitoring Inflammation: ESR is a sensitive test for inflammation and is used to monitor inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis.
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• Evaluating Overall Health: A routine CBC test helps identify underlying health issues, including blood disorders, immune system disorders, and more.

• Symptoms of Infection or Inflammation: Fever, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or pain may warrant a CBC with ESR.
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• Routine Check-ups: The test is part of a general health check-up to assess overall health.
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• Monitoring Chronic Conditions: Used to monitor conditions like anemia, autoimmune diseases, and ongoing infections.

The CBC with ESR test provides critical information to detect and diagnose a variety of health conditions early. Early intervention can lead to better management of diseases, preventing complications and improving the quality of life.