Know your blood count

Whenever you undergo a blood test in a lab, you will be provided with a document of blood test results. The doctor will scrutinize the results to diagnose your disease. Blood contains three types of corpuscles.

• The red blood corpuscles (RBC) help in respiration and circulation of oxygen. A decrease in the number of RBC results in anaemia and an increase is polycythemia


• The white blood corpuscles (WBC) guard our body against the invasion of germs and pathogens. A decrease in the number of WBC results in leukopenia and an increase is leukemia


• The blood platelets are responsible for bringing about the coagulation of blood

The Normal Blood Count

Blood count is measured as number of cells per cubic mm of blood. The approximate values of normal blood count are shown

Total Count (TC):

RBC - 5,000,000 to 5,500,000
WBC - 8,000 to 10,000
Platelets - 250,000 to 500,000

Differential WBC Count (DC):

Neutrophils - 60 to 70 %
Eosinophils - 0.5 to 3 %
Basophils - 0.1 %
Lymphocytes - 20 to 30%
Monocytes - 1 to 4 %

Note: These readings may vary slightly between medical entities across the world. Do not come to any imaginary conclusions regarding your disease before consulting with an experienced physician.