Understanding White Blood Cell Counts: A CBC Differential Explained

A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. It also provides information about the size and shape of these cells.

The differential count is part of the CBC that reports the percentage of each type of white blood cell. The five types of white blood cells reported on a differential count are:

* Neutrophils

* Bands

* Lymphocytes

* Monocytes

* Eosinophils

The CBC can be used to diagnose a variety of conditions, including:

* Infections

* Anemia

* Leukemia

* Lymphoma

* Other blood disorders

The differential count can provide additional information about the type of infection or other condition that is present. For example, a high neutrophil count may indicate a bacterial infection, while a high lymphocyte count may indicate a viral infection.

The normal range for each type of white blood cell varies depending on the laboratory that is performing the test. However, the following ranges are generally considered to be normal:

* Neutrophils: 40-70%

* Bands: 0-5%

* Lymphocytes: 20-40%

* Monocytes: 2-10%

* Eosinophils: 1-3%

If your CBC results show that you have an abnormal white blood cell count, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the cause.