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What tube is used to collect blood for a complete blood count (CBC)?

2024-09-30

What tube is used to collect blood for a complete blood count (CBC) test ?

Purple top cover tube, containing the anticoagulant EDTA K2 or K3 (a powder sprayed on the wall of the tube).

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What is a Complete Blood Count?

A complete blood count, or CBC, is a blood test that measures many different parts and features of your blood, including:

1. Red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

2. White blood cells, which fight infections and other diseases.There are five major types of white blood cells.

A CBC test measures the total number of white cells in your blood. A different test called a CBC with differential measures the number of each type of these white blood cells.

3. Platelets, which stop bleeding by helping your blood to clot.


4. Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.


5. Hematocrit, a measurement of how much of your blood is made up of red blood cells.


6. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), a measure of the average size of your red blood cells.


Other names for a complete blood count: CBC, full blood count, blood cell count.

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What is it used for?


A complete blood count is a common blood test that is often part of a routine checkup. Complete blood counts can help

detect a variety of disorders including infections, anemia, diseases of the immune system, and blood cancers.

Why do I need a complete blood count?


Your health care provider may have ordered a complete blood count as part of your checkup or to monitor your overall health.

The test may also be used to:

1. Help diagnose blood diseases, infection, immune system disorders, or other medical conditions.

2. Check for changes in an existing blood disorder.

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