The Full Blood Count (FBC) — sometimes called a Complete Blood Count (CBC) — is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests. It measures the different types of cells in your blood and provides a broad overview of your overall health.
Red Blood Cells (RBC) & Haemoglobin
| Test | Normal Range (Adults) | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin (Hb) | Men: 13–17 g/dL / Women: 12–15 g/dL | Oxygen-carrying protein in red cells |
| Red Cell Count (RBC) | Men: 4.5–5.9 ×10¹²/L / Women: 4.0–5.2 ×10¹²/L | Number of red cells per litre of blood |
| Haematocrit (HCT) | Men: 41–53% / Women: 36–46% | Percentage of blood volume made up of red cells |
| MCV | 80–100 fL | Average size of red cells — helps classify anaemia type |
Low haemoglobin indicates anaemia. There are many types of anaemia — iron deficiency is the most common, but B12 deficiency, thalassaemia and chronic disease can also cause low Hb. Your doctor will look at MCV and other indices to determine the type.
White Blood Cells (WBC)
| Test | Normal Range | What It Means When Abnormal |
|---|---|---|
| Total WBC | 4.0–11.0 ×10⁹/L | High: infection, inflammation, leukaemia / Low: viral illness, medication, immune disorder |
| Neutrophils | 2.0–7.5 ×10⁹/L | High: bacterial infection / Low: viral illness, some medications |
| Lymphocytes | 1.5–4.0 ×10⁹/L | High: viral infection / Low: HIV, steroid use |
| Monocytes | 0.2–1.0 ×10⁹/L | High: chronic infection, TB, some cancers |
| Eosinophils | 0.0–0.5 ×10⁹/L | High: allergy, parasitic infection, asthma |
Platelets
| Test | Normal Range | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Platelet Count | 150–400 ×10⁹/L | Low (thrombocytopenia): bleeding risk, dengue fever, medication effect / High (thrombocytosis): inflammation, iron deficiency, infection |
Dengue alert: A falling platelet count in someone with fever, headache and muscle pain is a key warning sign of dengue fever in Malaysia. If your platelet count is dropping rapidly, seek medical attention promptly.
Context Matters
FBC results must be interpreted alongside your symptoms, clinical history and other test results. A mildly low or high value may be clinically insignificant, or it may be the first clue to a treatable condition. Always discuss your FBC with your doctor rather than interpreting it in isolation.