Full Blood Count (CBC) with Differential

A full blood count (CBC) with white cell differential at MEDILA's ČSN EN ISO 15189-accredited laboratory. The CBC is the foundational haematology test measuring red blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV/MCH/MCHC indices, platelet count, and total white cell count. The 5-part differential classifies white cells into neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, providing a comprehensive picture of immune cell distribution. Together these measurements identify anaemia by type (iron deficiency, B12/folate, haemolytic), infection burden, inflammatory activation, and haematological conditions. No fasting is required. Walk-in collection is available Monday to Friday at MEDILA collection centres, with results typically available the same or next working day.

The full blood count with 5-part differential (CBC + Diff) at MEDILA is the most frequently performed laboratory test in clinical medicine and the cornerstone of any haematological evaluation. It is processed by MEDILA's ČSN EN ISO 15189 ed. 3:2023-accredited haematology laboratory on the same day as collection for most standard assays. The CBC measures three primary cell lines of the blood, each reflecting a different aspect of health and disease: Red blood cell assessment: The erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, and haematocrit together indicate whether the body is producing sufficient red cells to deliver oxygen to tissues. The three red cell indices provide the critical diagnostic discriminators for anaemia type: MCV (mean corpuscular volume) distinguishes microcytic anaemia (MCV below 80 fl — iron deficiency, thalassaemia) from normocytic (80–100 fl — chronic disease, acute blood loss, haemolysis, renal anaemia) and macrocytic (above 100 fl — folate/B12 deficiency, liver disease, hypothyroidism, certain medications). MCH and MCHC confirm the degree of haemoglobin concentration per cell (hypochromia in iron deficiency). Platelet count indicates clotting potential — thrombocytopenia (low platelets) increases bleeding risk; thrombocytosis (high platelets) may indicate reactive inflammation or myeloproliferative disease. White blood cell differential: The 5-part differential provides both the total white cell count and the absolute count and percentage of each white cell type. Neutrophils — the first-responder cells of innate immunity — rise in bacterial infections, tissue injury, corticosteroid use, and stress. Lymphocytes — the cells of adaptive immunity — rise in viral infections, particularly Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus (where atypical lymphocytes may be noted on the film), and in lymphoid malignancies. Monocytes rise in chronic infection, tuberculosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and monocytic leukaemia. Eosinophils rise in allergic conditions (asthma, hay fever, urticaria), parasitic infections, and eosinophilic disorders. Basophils are present in very low numbers normally; their elevation suggests a haematological malignancy or allergic activation. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) derived from the differential is an emerging systemic inflammation and immune stress marker used in cancer prognosis, critical illness monitoring, and cardiovascular risk assessment. No fasting is required. MEDILA's collection centres are open Monday to Friday; the CBC tube (EDTA anticoagulant) can be collected at any time during the operating hours. The blood draw fee of 42 Kč for adults is charged in addition to the panel price. Results are available the same day or the following morning in most cases. Common reasons patients attend MEDILA for a self-pay CBC include: monitoring known anaemia or iron supplementation; investigating fatigue, breathlessness, or pallor; pre-travel health screening; employer occupational health requirements; annual wellness baseline; monitoring the haematological effects of medications; and screening for haematological conditions in patients with family history.