Full Blood Count with Differential

A full blood count with five-part white cell differential, analysed on the Mindray BC-6200 haematology platform at PKBH's Olomouc central laboratory. The CBC measures red cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and platelet indices; the differential distinguishes neutrophils (including band forms), lymphocytes (and reactive variants), eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and flags any abnormal or pathological cells for manual smear review. At 154 Kč all-in, this is one of the most accessible haematological screens available in the Czech Republic without a referral.

A full blood count (FBC or CBC) is the single most informative routine blood test available, analysing three independent blood-cell lineages that collectively reflect bone marrow function, immune status, oxygen-carrying capacity, and clotting ability. With the addition of a five-part white cell differential, it becomes a sensitive screen for infection, allergy, autoimmunity, haematological malignancy, and nutritional deficiencies — all from a single EDTA tube collected in under three minutes. **Red cell parameters measured:** - **RBC (red blood cell count)** and **Haemoglobin (HGB)** — quantify the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Anaemia (low HGB) can result from iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, haemolysis, chronic disease, or bone marrow suppression. - **Haematocrit (HCT)** — the proportion of blood volume occupied by red cells; elevated values suggest polycythaemia or dehydration. - **MCV (mean corpuscular volume)** — the average red cell size. Microcytic cells (low MCV) point to iron deficiency or thalassaemia; macrocytic cells (high MCV) suggest B12/folate deficiency or alcohol excess. - **MCH and MCHC** — haemoglobin content and concentration per cell; useful in differentiating iron deficiency from haemoglobin synthesis disorders. - **RDW (red cell distribution width)** — reflects variation in red cell size; elevated RDW combined with low MCV is a sensitive early sign of iron deficiency, even before frank anaemia develops. **White cell differential:** - **WBC total** and five-part differential: neutrophil segments, neutrophil bands (immature forms indicating acute bacterial infection or bone marrow stress), lymphocytes (and reactive/atypical forms seen in viral infections), eosinophils (elevated in allergy and parasitic infection), basophils, monocytes. - Abnormal or pathological forms are flagged by the Mindray BC-6200 and reviewed by manual smear when indicated. **Platelets:** - **PLT (platelet count)** and **MPV (mean platelet volume)** — screen for thrombocytopaenia (bleeding risk) and thrombocytosis (clotting risk or reactive to inflammation/infection). At PKBH Olomouc, haematology analysers are the Mindray BC-6200 (high-throughput) and BC-3200 (backup), both under internal and SEKK external QC. Reticulocytes and manual differentials are available as additional tests. **Who benefits:** Annual health monitoring for all adults; investigating unexplained fatigue, pallor, bruising, or recurrent infections; monitoring chronic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, CKD, IBD, cancer); checking for medication side effects (chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, anticoagulants); pre-operative screening. **Preparation:** No fasting required. The test can be done at any time of day. Walk-in from 07:00 at any PKBH Olomouc collection site. **Results:** Same working day. Critical values (e.g. severe anaemia, very high WBC) trigger a STATIM phone call within two hours.