Complete blood count

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

RBCs transport hemoglobin which, in turn, carries oxygen. The amount of oxygen received by body tissues depends on the amount and function of RBCs and hemoglobin.

WBCs are mediators of inflammation and the immune response. There are various types of WBCs that normally appear in the blood:

• Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes)
• Band cells (slightly immature neutrophils)
• T-type lymphocytes (T cells)
• B-type lymphocytes (B cells)
• Monocytes
• Eosinophils
• Basophils

Images

Red blood cells, elliptocytosis

Red blood cells, normal

Red blood cells, target cells

Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells

Red blood cells, sickle and pappenheimer

Malaria, microscopic view of cellular parasites

Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

Red blood cells, tear-drop shape

Basophil (close-up)

Malaria, photomicrograph of cellular parasites

Formed elements of blood

Red blood cells, sickle cell

Red blood cells, spherocytosis

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CBC Prevention

Review Date: 03/04/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine (2/9/2010).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)