Blood is a primary body fluid that flows throughout the body and is responsible for the transportation function in the body. The blood is used to transport oxygen from the lungs to various muscles and organs. It is also used to transport food to various parts of the body. There are many different glands in the body that produce hormones which are used to regulate various body functions. The blood is used to transport these hormones from their production site to the site where they are used. The blood is also used to pass toxins out of the body through the kidneys. The immune system of the body is contained in the cells of the blood as well.
A CBC test is known as a Complete Blood Count test. This test is conducted as part of normal health care screening as well as when a person is being admitted to a hospital for some procedure or due to a medical emergency. The complete blood count measures all the various important factors in the blood of a patient. Medical research has led to a better understanding of the human blood and this has led to the creation of ranges for the various components present in the blood. These ranges are typically of healthy individuals of the age and sex of the patient being tested. Any variation from the typical ranges is likely to be linked to a condition or disease that may be affecting the individual. The complete blood count is used to test the health of an individual.
There are many different parameters that are tested in the subject's blood. White blood cell count tests the total quantity of white blood cells in the sample. White blood cells differential, tests for the different types of white blood cells in a sample. White blood cells are part of the immune system and their quantity tends to be elevated during an infection. Red blood cells are also counted in a complete analysis. They contain hemoglobin, which is also measured. Hemoglobin helps to transport oxygen to various parts of the body. Platelet count is also measured during such a test. This would give hints as to the cause of any condition that may result in excessive bleeding or excessive clotting.
These are the basic things that are measured in a complete blood count. Other such factors are also measured for their diagnostic relevance. The results will be explained to you by your doctor and any variation will be analyzed further.