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Preventive Care

Understanding Your Complete Blood Count

What a CBC measures and why doctors order it.

Dr. Aman Khurana
MBBS, MD Psychiatry
2 min read
Updated 4 Sep 2026
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ananya Kapoor, MBBS, MD Medicine, DM Cardiology

The main parts

A CBC measures red blood cells, haemoglobin, white blood cells and platelets.

Why it is ordered

Doctors use it to check for anaemia, infection and many other conditions.

Reading results

Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex. Your doctor interprets results with your overall health in mind.

Trusted sources

  • World Health Organization (who.int)
  • Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr.gov.in)
  • Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (mohfw.gov.in)
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are worried about your health, talk to a doctor or call 112 in an emergency.
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