How is anemia diagnosed ?
Anemia is usually detected or at least confirmed by a complete blood cell (CBC) count. CBC test may be ordered by a physician as a part of routine general check-up and screening or based on clinical signs and symptoms that may suggest anemia or other blood abnormalities.
What is a complete blood cell (CBC) count ?
A CBC is a test for counting and examining the different types of cells in the blood. Traditionally, CBC analysis was performed by a physician or a laboratory technician by viewing a glass slide prepared from a blood sample under a microscope. Today, much of this work is often automated and done by machines. Six component measurements make up a CBC test:
Additionally, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is also often reported in a CBC, which basically measures the average volume of red blood cells in a blood sample. This is important in distinguishing the causes of anemia. Units of MCV are reported in femtoliters, a fraction of one millionth of a liter.
Other useful clues to causes of anemia that are reported in a CBC are the size, shape, and color of red blood cells.
Source : medicinenet.com
Anemia is usually detected or at least confirmed by a complete blood cell (CBC) count. CBC test may be ordered by a physician as a part of routine general check-up and screening or based on clinical signs and symptoms that may suggest anemia or other blood abnormalities.
What is a complete blood cell (CBC) count ?
A CBC is a test for counting and examining the different types of cells in the blood. Traditionally, CBC analysis was performed by a physician or a laboratory technician by viewing a glass slide prepared from a blood sample under a microscope. Today, much of this work is often automated and done by machines. Six component measurements make up a CBC test:
- Red blood cell (RBC) count
- Hematocrit
- Hemoglobin
- White blood cell (WBC) count
- Differential blood count (the "diff")
- Platelet count
Additionally, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is also often reported in a CBC, which basically measures the average volume of red blood cells in a blood sample. This is important in distinguishing the causes of anemia. Units of MCV are reported in femtoliters, a fraction of one millionth of a liter.
Other useful clues to causes of anemia that are reported in a CBC are the size, shape, and color of red blood cells.
Source : medicinenet.com
