FBC (Full blood count)

Blood Sciences Test

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Specimen

Whole blood EDTA tube

Minimum sample volume

1 mL

 Special Instructions

Blood Films

Blood films are usually prepared by the laboratory from the EDTA sample. Please note that blood films should not be sent by courier (Health and Safety regulations).

Malaria

Reticulocytes

Factors affecting results

Exceptionally a patients platelets may clump in EDTA preventing us from counting them. In this case we will suggest taking an additional coag tube for platelet count. It is essential that the request form indicates this

Haemolysed or clotted samples cannot be tested – mix sample by inversion, do not shake.

Aged samples may give abnormal results

Reference Ranges

 

FBC Parameter	Female	Male	Citation
WBC	3.6 – 11.0 x 109/L	3.8 – 10.6 x 109/L	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
NEUT	1.8 – 7.5 x 109/L	1.8 – 6.5 x 109/L	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
LYMPH	1.1 – 3.5 x 109/L	1.1 – 3.5 x 109/L	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
MONO	0.2 – 0.8 x 109/L	0.2 – 0.8 x 109/L	Dacie JV & Lewis SM Practical Haematology 6th ed Churchill Livingstone1984
EOS	0.04 – 0.40 x 109/L	0.04 – 0.40 x 109/L	Dacie JV & Lewis SM Practical Haematology 6th ed Churchill Livingstone1984
BASO	0.01 – 0.1 x 109/L	0.01 – 0.1 x 109/L	Dacie JV & Lewis SM Practical Haematology 6th ed Churchill Livingstone1984
Hb	120 – 160 g/L	130 – 180 g/L	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
RBC	4.0 – 5.2 x 1012/L	4.5 – 5.9 x 1012/L	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
HCT	0.36 – 0.46	0.41 – 0.53	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
MCV	82 – 100 fL	82 – 100 fL	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
MCH	27 – 33 pg	27 – 33 pg	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
MCHC	320 -357 g/L	320-357 g/L	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
RDW	9.9 – 15.5	9.9 – 15.5	Dallman  PR Pediatrics 16th ed New York Appleton-Century-Crofts 1977
PLAT	150 – 400 x 109/L	150 – 400 x 109/L	Bain BJ Blood Cells A Practical Guide 2nd ed Blackwell Science 1995

Turnaround time

1 hr – STAT samples

24 hrs – routine samples

Availability

In house

Clinical Advice

Clinical advice is available from the Haematology Medical team (contact RD&E switchboard on 01392 411611)

Specimen Labelling Procedure