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While you're receiving chemotherapy, your doctor will order tests on a regular basis to check your complete blood count (CBC). Following is a brief explanation of the components of your CBC and the normal values for each:
Normal Lab Values for Complete Blood Count
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells, measured in terms of their number per a specific volume.
— male 4.7 — 6.1 million/mm3
— female 4.2 — 5.4 million/mm3
Hemoglobin
The oxygen-carrying protein of red blood cells, measured in terms of weight.
— male 14 — 18 g/dL
— female 12 — 16 g/dL
Hematocrit
The percentage of the blood made up of red blood cells.
— male 42% — 52%
— female 37% — 47%
Leukocytes 5,000 — 10,000/mm3
White blood cells — the cells that help the body fight infections and disease — are measured in terms of their number per a specific volume. The five specific types of white blood cells that follow are measured as a percentage of all leukocytes (white blood cells):
— Neutrophils 55% — 70%
First line of cellular defense against bacterial infection.
— Lymphocytes 20% — 40%
B cells, which create antibodies against foreign invaders, such as infections and tumor cells, and T cells, which attack the same foreign invaders.
— Monocytes 2% — 8%
Ingest foreign material, such as bacteria and fungi.
— Eosinophils 1% — 4%
Destroy parasites and play a major role in allergic reactions.
— Basophils 0.5% — 1%
Play a major role in inflammation.
Platelets 150,000 — 400,000/mm3
Cells that help stop bleeding by binding to the site of a wound.
Calculating Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
The absolute neutrophil count (ANC), a part of the CBC, is a measure that helps your health care provider assess your body's ability to prevent and fight infections. Below is a brief explanation of how ANC is calculated. A patient's risk of infection begins to increase when the ANC falls below 2,000, with the greatest risk occurring below 500.
Lab values reported in percentages
If total white count = 2,000/mm3
|
| Total segs* = 23% |
Total bands = 2% |
|
23% +
25% x
Total of
segs & bands |
2% =
2,000 =
Total
white count |
25%
500
ANC
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| Lab values reported in total numbers |
| Total segs* = 0.4 |
Total bands = 0.1 |
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0.4 +
0.5 x
|
.1 =
1,000 =
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0.5
500
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| *Segs may also be referred to as neutrophils or granulocytes. |
Be sure to ask your doctor
How often should I get my CBC tested?
When should my CBC be tested?
What is my ANC?
Is my ANC low?
What should I do if my ANC is low?
Is there anything I can do to protect myself from infection because of a low ANC count?
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