“Can CBC test detect anemia?”
I have anemia symptoms. Can CBC test detect anemia?
2 Answers
Yes. CBC stands for "complete blood count". Anemia is a blood condition, defined by a lower than normal level of red blood cell. Thus CBC is how we find out if someone is anemic.
A complete blood test (CBC) should be able to detect anemia. May want to get a "diferential count" as well with the same blood test (analyzes the types of white blood cells you have circulating). I don't know what your "anemia" symptoms are, but if you haven't already, you might want to have a primary care physician examine you as well. Fatigue is a common symptom of significant anemia, but there are many causes of fatigue which your physician should be able to diagnose. Hope this helps. David Gordon, M.D. "To improve the health of the communities we serve. That is why we are here!" "What I want to know now is what we gonna do?" (B.B. King) David Gordon, M.D. Professor of Pathology (VERY Active Emeritus!) and Director of Cardiovascular Pathology Director of Faculty Programs, Office for Health Equity and Inclusion for the University of Michigan Health System University of Michigan Medical School/Michigan Medicine North Campus Research Center (NCRC) Bldg. 36, Rm. 1361-14 2800 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2800 Tel. 734-615-3638 Pager: #3316
