What’s a CBP Test? Here is Why Your Doctor Might Recommend It

A Complete Blood Picture (CBP), also called a Complete Blood Count (CBC), is a standard diagnostic test used to evaluate your overall health. It provides valuable insights into various health conditions by analyzing components of your blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This simple yet essential test is widely recommended for diagnosing infections, anemia, and other medical disorders.

Let’s dive deeper into understanding the purpose, procedure, and significance of the CBP test.

 What is the CBP Test (Complete Blood Picture)?  

A CBP test is a detailed analysis of your blood that helps assess the levels of vital blood components: Red Blood Cells (RBCs): These cells transport oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide from your body. White Blood Cells (WBCs): These immune cells protect your body against infections and illnesses. Platelets: Small blood fragments that help with clot formation to stop bleeding. The CBP test acts as a window into your body’s internal functioning, making it a vital tool for diagnosing various health conditions and monitoring treatment progress.

What Do the CBP Test Measures? 

Here is the list of components that a CBP test measures:   

• White blood cells (WBCs) - White blood cells (WBCs) are measured using this test because WBCs are used by your body as an immunity shield. An excessive number of them may indicate an infection, inflammation, adverse medical response, or other illness, however, you may also be more susceptible to illness if the count is low. A low count may also result from a bone marrow disorder, viral infection, or certain medicine that a doctor needs to investigate.
   
• Red blood cells (RBCs) - These blood cells carry oxygen to all your cells, and they also aid in the transportation of carbon dioxide. You can have anemia or another illness if your red blood cell count is too low and may need immediate treatment.
  
  
• RDW, RDW-CV, RDW-SD - Red blood cells vary in size and red blood cell distribution width (RDW, RDW-CV, or RDW-SD) is measured by this test. For example, if you have anemia, you'll likely have more variations in the size of your red blood cells.
  
  
• Hematocrit (HCT) - This test determines the proportion of red blood cells in your blood, and you may not have enough iron, a mineral that aids in the production of red blood cells if your Hematocrit level is low. However, a high score might indicate dehydration or even serious illness.
  
  
• Hemoglobin (Hb) - Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that transports oxygen throughout the body from the lungs, and abnormalities may indicate anything from pulmonary illness to anemia.
  
  
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) - MCV is how big your red blood cells are on average. You will have a greater MCV if they are larger than normal, and that could occur if your levels of folate or vitamin B12 are insufficient. On the other hand, you may have a kind of anemia if your red blood cells are smaller.
  
  
• Platelets - Cell parts called platelets aid in blood coagulation, and that’s why a low platelet count may increase your risk of bleeding. Too high a count might indicate a variety of possible health issues as well.   

Why is a CBP Test Performed?  

Giving your healthcare practitioner information about your complete health status is the goal of a CBP test.  

• Diagnosis - A CBP test identifies abnormalities like low hemoglobin, elevated WBCs, or platelet deficiencies. These findings may indicate conditions such as:
  • Anemia
  • Infections
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Blood cancers like leukemia


• Monitoring - The practice of tracking a patient's health status over time is called monitoring, and patients with a history of blood cell abnormalities can be monitored effectively using this test. What’s more, it can be used to monitor for adverse effects of some medical treatments and to determine how a person's condition has reacted to a specific therapy. 
  
  
• Screening - Testing to identify health issues before symptoms appear is known as screening, and sometimes a CBP may be recommended by a physician as a screening test during regular examinations.  

CBP Normal Result Range 

These are some of the CBP test normal range results:  

What Does it Mean to Have CBP Results Outside the Normal Range?  

Elevated hematocrit, hemoglobin, or RBC might be caused by: 

• High erythropoietin production in kidney illness 
• Insufficient intake of water and fluids  
• Using testosterone 
• Long-term low blood oxygen levels brought on by heart or lung conditions or prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide  
• Excessive smoking  
• Polycythemia vera  
• Chronic renal disease 

A low hematocrit, hemoglobin, or RBC level might be caused by: 

• Anemia 
• Hemolysis 
• Cancer 
• Bone marrow growth issues  
• Cancer treatment 
• Rheumatoid arthritis  
• Ulcerative colitis 
• Hepatitis  
• Multiple myeloma 

A low WBC count might result from: 

• Immune system disorders 
• Alcohol abuse 
• Liver damage   
• Chemotherapy drugs 
• Spleen enlargement 
• AIDS  
• Bone marrow failure   
• Virus-induced infections 

A high WBC count might result from: 

• Leukemia 
• Damage to tissue 
• Infections 
• Lupus  
• Some medications (corticosteroids) 
• Rheumatoid arthritis 

A high platelet count can be caused by:  

• Blood disorders 
• Lack of iron 
• Bleeding 
• Cancer  
• Bone marrow issues  

A low platelet count can be caused by:  

• Spleen enlargement 
• Pregnancy 
• Chemotherapy drugs 
• Bone marrow failure  

Final Remarks  

CBP is one of the most popular tests that physicians recommend getting the entire picture of your full health status, and that is because of the comprehensive report it can offer! It is not only performed when your healthcare practitioner is keeping track of how well a treatment method is working for you but also during a general health checkup if the doctor feels it might be beneficial for the early diagnosis of certain illnesses.  

Contact Pathkind Labs today to find out the CBP test price and arrange an appointment to get the test done by experts!