A Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures your red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets to check for anemia, infection, and clotting problems. No fasting is needed. At Zeenat Lab Lahore, a CBC costs PKR 600, and you can view your CBC report online once it’s ready.
Table of Contents
- What Is a CBC Test?
- Why Do Doctors Order a CBC?
- What Does a CBC Measure?
- Normal CBC Ranges for Adults
- What Do High or Low Results Mean?
- CBC Test Price in Lahore
- How to Prepare for a CBC Test
- How to Get Your CBC Test Report Online
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
What Is a CBC Test?
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests in the world. A phlebotomist draws a small sample of blood from a vein, and an automated analyzer counts and measures the cells in it.
Blood carries oxygen, fights infection, and helps wounds clot. Counting its cells therefore gives your doctor a wide view of your health from a single test. A CBC seldom gives a final diagnosis on its own, but it tells the doctor what to investigate next.
Why Do Doctors Order a CBC?
Your doctor may recommend a CBC when you have:
- A routine check-up or an annual health screening
- Symptoms such as ongoing fatigue, weakness, pale skin, dizziness, or fever
- Frequent infections or slow recovery from illness
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- A planned surgery, so blood counts can be checked beforehand
- A known blood condition, such as anemia, that needs monitoring
- A suspected infection, such as dengue, where repeated counts guide care
What Does a CBC Measure?
| Component | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Red Blood Cells (RBC) | Carry oxygen from the lungs to the body |
| Hemoglobin (Hb) | The oxygen-carrying protein in red cells; the main marker for anemia |
| Hematocrit (HCT/PCV) | The share of your blood made up of red cells |
| White Blood Cells (WBC) | Defend the body against infection and inflammation |
| Platelets | Help blood clot and stop bleeding |
| MCV, MCH, MCHC | Describe red cell size and hemoglobin content, which helps identify the type of anemia |
A CBC with differential also splits white cells into neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
Normal CBC Ranges for Adults
The table below shows typical reference values for the normal CBC range in adults. Ranges differ slightly between labs and machines, so always compare your result with the range printed on your own report.
| Blood Component | Adult Men | Adult Women | Common Causes of High Levels | Common Causes of Low Levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | 13.5 – 17.5 g/dL | 12.0 – 15.5 g/dL | Dehydration, polycythemia, smoking | Iron deficiency, blood loss, chronic disease |
| RBC count | 4.7 – 6.1 million/mcL | 4.2 – 5.4 million/mcL | Dehydration, lung disease | Anemia, bleeding, nutrient deficiency |
| Hematocrit | 41 – 50% | 36 – 44% | Dehydration, polycythemia | Anemia, overhydration |
| WBC count | 4,500 – 11,000/mcL | 4,500 – 11,000/mcL | Infection, inflammation, stress | Viral illness, bone marrow problems, some medicines |
| Platelets | 150,000 – 450,000/mcL | 150,000 – 450,000/mcL | Inflammation, iron deficiency, bone marrow disorders | Dengue, viral infection, some medicines |
| MCV | 80 – 100 fL | 80 – 100 fL | Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency | Iron deficiency, thalassemia |
What Do High or Low Results Mean?
A value outside the range doesn’t always mean serious illness. Hydration, pregnancy, altitude, recent infection, and medicines can all move your numbers.
- Low hemoglobin points to anemia. Iron deficiency is a common cause in Pakistan, so doctors often follow up with a ferritin or iron studies test.
- High WBC count most often suggests infection or inflammation.
- Low platelets need prompt medical attention if you also have fever, because this pattern is closely watched in dengue.
- High platelets are often a reaction to another problem, such as inflammation or iron deficiency.
Don’t diagnose yourself from a report. Show your results to a doctor who can read them with your symptoms and history.
CBC Test Price in Lahore
CBC prices vary between labs, and between a basic count and a full report with differential. Here is what Zeenat Lab charges:
| Service | Price (PKR) | |
|---|---|---|
| CBC (with differential) | 600 | |
| CBC included in health packages | See Zeenat Lab packages |
If you need several tests, a package is usually cheaper than booking each test separately. Several Zeenat Lab packages already include a CBC alongside tests like LFTs, RFTs, and a urine routine.
How to Prepare for a CBC Test
- You don’t need to fast for a CBC on its own.
- Drink water as usual. Being hydrated makes the blood draw easier.
- Tell the technician about any medicines or supplements you take.
- Fast for 8 to 12 hours only if your doctor has added a fasting test, such as a lipid profile or fasting glucose.
- Wear a loose or short-sleeved top so the arm is easy to reach.
How to Get Your CBC Test Report Online
- Visit Zeenat Lab at book through appointment link.
- Give your sample. The whole draw usually takes only a few minutes.
- Wait for your report to be ready. You’ll be notified .
- Open the Zeenat Lab online reports page and enter your +92 327 3234567 to view or download your report.
- Share the report with your doctor before making any decision about treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast before a CBC test?
No. A standard CBC doesn’t need fasting. You only need to fast if your doctor orders other tests alongside it, such as a lipid profile or fasting blood sugar.
How much does a CBC test cost in Lahore?
The price depends on the lab and the type of report. At Zeenat Lab, a CBC costs PKR 600. Health packages that include a CBC can bring down the cost per test.
How can I get my CBC test report online?
After your sample is processed, log in to the lab’s online reports portal with your details, then view or download the report. Zeenat Lab notifies you when your report is ready.
What is the normal CBC range for an adult?
For adults, typical hemoglobin is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL in men and 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL in women. White cells are about 4,500 to 11,000 per mcL, and platelets 150,000 to 450,000 per mcL. Always check the reference range on your own report.
Can a CBC detect dengue?
A CBC can’t confirm dengue by itself, but falling platelets and a low white cell count are warning signs, and doctors repeat the CBC to track them. Confirmation needs a specific test such as NS1 antigen or dengue antibodies.
Get Your CBC Done at Zeenat Lab
Diagnostics run by pathologists with decades of experience help you catch problems early. Book your CBC test at Zeenat Lab or View your report online today.
