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One Reason You May Need A CBC Blood Test: Health Problems

by Dave Whitsom

A commonly prescribed medical test used today to determine if you are sick, having difficulties, if you aren't sick at all or to better pinpoint a current complaint or medical finding is a blood test known as a Complete Blood Count, or more commonly, CBC, the acronym.

Humans couldn't exist unless we had blood flowing from top to bottom within our bodies. Thus it makes perfect sense it is one of the first places to look when figuring out diagnosis. CBC blood tests are often called out by doctors in television dramas these days, but in actuality, it is a crucial step in being sure what's right and what's wrong with you, internally.

A CBC blood test may be ordered by a doctor simply when you're are under the weather, always tired, or even if you simply have a common cold. You need not be at death's door, nor lying in an emergency room bay to have a CBC blood test CBC blood test ordered.

But, that said, every year when you visit your doctor, or physician for your annual physical, if your doctor does not order a CBC Blood Test, by all means, ask for one. It is the cheapest, easiest, perhaps life-saving act you can do and should do at least once a year.

Your complete blood count test, or CBC represents your internal (which fuels your exterior) health and if there's something to worry about, odds are, early signs will be found within your blood and its components. There are exceptions to the case, but be on the safe side, anyways. A number of determining variables are studied with CBC Blood Tests: white and red blood cell counts or levels, the HCT (or Hematocrit, which basically is defined by the volume of space which your blood occupies), Hgb (or Hemoglobin which accounts for the oxygen within your blood cells), and platelet counts which makes it possible for your blood's ability to clot.

Too many of one or too few of another essential part of your blood, depending on what numbers reveal themselves could be a alert that reveals to your medical staff what's really happening inside you. While the diagnosis variations can be numerous and cover a wide spectrum, having a CBC Blood Test at least once per year, after visiting your doctor can supply you the answers to many questions about your overall health, that just an external examination, putting a stethascope to your chest, checking your lungs and opening your mouth and saying, 'Ahhhh,' just can't do.

A CBC (Complete Blood Count) Test (or Tests) can provide you specific answers to why you're fatigued, not feeling 'normal', showing bruising for 'no reason', having chest discomfort, have a virus, are having adverse reactions, plus a truck load of other potential issues. But, perhaps even more important, these blood tests allow you the potentially life-saving, time stretching benefit of catching early alerts and signs of potentially hazardous and life threatening trouble if ignored. Make a note now for both yourself and your family to regularly (at least annually) take part in a CBC Blood Test or Complete Blood Count Tests. It could spare your life and theirs, but even if nothing is seriously wrong, it's a simple method to increase the quality of your life.

A contributing author of the independently owned an up and coming healthy living tips web site, Dave Whitsom, strives to contribute with his readers the essentials of healthy eating on a budget and its role in your quality of life.

Published December 5th, 2007

Filed in Health, Science