CBC Components PDF
Calculating an Absolute Neutrophil Count
To calculate your ANC from a percentage differential (%) use this formula:
WBC x (percent of segs + percent of bands)/100 = ANC
Example: If your WBC is 2.0, segs are 14.8% and bands are 5.0% the formula would look like this:
2.0 x (14.8 + 5.0) = 2.0 x 19.8 = 39.6 / 100 = .396 The ANC is 0.396
To calculate your ANC from an absolute differential use this formula:
Absolute segs + Absolute bands = ANC
Example: If your absolute segs are 0.3 and absolute bands are 0.1 the formula would look like this:
0.3 + 0.1 = 0.400 The ANC is 0.400
The table below will explain all the different parts of the CBC and what they mean:
| Test | Name | Measuring | Use | Reasons for Increase or Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBC | White Blood Cell | Total number of WBCs (Total of all cells; segmented neutrophils, band neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) | The body uses WBCs to fight infection. Each type has a slightly different job. WBC is measured to make sure there are sufficient numbers, to help detect and monitor conditions that lead to increases or decreases in total WBCs, and/or to increases in one or more types of WBCs. | May increase with infections, inflammation, cancer, leukemia; decrease with some medications, some autoimmune conditions, some severe infections, bone marrow failure, congenital marrow aplasia (marrow doesn't develop normally) |
| ANC | Absolute Neutrophil Count | Total number of Neutrophils and Bands | ||
| % Neutrophil | Segmented Neutrophils | Measures the percentage of each type of cells | This is a dynamic population that varies somewhat from day to day depending on what is going on in the body. Significant increases in particular types are associated with different temporary/acute and/or chronic conditions. | |
| % Band | Stabs or segment band neutrophils | |||
| % Lymphs | Lymphocyte | |||
| % Mono | Monocyte | |||
| % Eos | Eosinophil | |||
| % Baso | Basophil | |||
| Neutrophil | Segmented Neutrophils | Measures the actual number of each type of cell | ||
| Band | Stabs or segment band neutrophils | |||
| Lymphs | Lymphocyte | |||
| Mono | Monocyte | |||
| Eos | Eosinophil | |||
| Baso | Basophil | |||
| RBC | Red Blood Cell | Total number of RBCs per volume of blood | RBCs carry oxygen from your lungs to your tissues. The test measures decreased production, increased loss or increased destruction of RBCs, to detect anemia and sometimes to help detect erythrocytosis (too many RBCs) | Decreases with bleeding or destruction; increases when too many are made or retained due to fluid loss resulting from diarrhea, dehydration, burns or illness |
| Hgb | Hemoglobin | Total amount of oxygen carrying protein inside RBCs | ||
| Hct | Hematocrit | Percentage of blood volume made up of RBCs (solid versus liquid portion of blood) | ||
| MCV | Mean Corpuscular Volume | Average size of RBCs | The size of RBCs and the average amount of hemoglobin inside them can help classify different types of anemia | Increases with B12 and folate deficiency, decreases with iron deficiency and thalassemia |
| MCH | Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin | Average amount (weight) of hemoglobin inside each RBC | ||
| MCHC | Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration | Average concentration (%) of hemoglobin inside each RBC | ||
| RDW | RBC Distribution Width | Measure variation in size of RBCs. Most normal RBCs are the same size | Help classify anemia | |
| Platelet | Platelet | Total number of platelets per volume of blood. Platelets are special cell fragments that are important in blood clotting | Determine whether number is adequate to control bleeding | |
| MPV | Mean Platelet Volume | Average size of platelets | Help evaluate decreased platelets | |