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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CBC

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1961    Geisinger Epic ID:  7098

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) microcollection tube
Specimen required: 

3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube collected MUST be properly filled to at least 1.5 mL (half the fill volume of the tube). 
Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) microcollection tube MUST be properly filled to at least 250 uL (half the fill volume of the tube).



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Do NOT centrifuge specimen.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred) or room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Refrigerated sample is stable for 72 hours; room temperature, 24 hours.


Rejection criteria: 

Clotted, frozen, underfilled, overfilled, hemolyzed, or centrifuged specimens. Specimens beyond stability limits.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 
 AgeMalesFemales
WBC   
 16 y/Adult4.00 -10.80 K/uL4.00-10.80 K/uL
 6 y4.00-13.50 K/uL4.00-13.50 K/uL
 2 y5.00-15.50K/uL5.00-15.50 K/uL
 1 month5.00-17.50 K/uL5.00-17.50 K/uL
 3 days5.00-21.00 K/uL5.00-21.00 K/uL
 Newborn9.00-30.00 K/uL9.00-30.00 K/uL
    
 
RBC18 y/Adult4.28-5.64 M/uL3.85-5.15 M/uL
 12 y4.50-5.30 M/uL3.85-5.15 M/uL
 6 y4.00-5.20 M/uL3.85-5.15 M/uL
 2 y3.90-5.30 M/uL3.90-5.30 M/uL
 6 months3.70-5.30 M/uL3.70-5.30 M/uL
 3 months3.10-4.50 M/uL3.10-4.50 M/uL
 2 months2.70-4.90 M/uL2.70-4.90 M/uL
 1 month3.00-5.40 M/uL3.00-5.40 M/uL
 14 days3.60-6.20 M/uL3.60-6.20 M/uL
 7 days3.90-6.30 M/uL3.90-6.30 M/uL
 Newborn4.10-6.10 M/uL4.10-6.10 M/uL
 
Hemoglobin   
 Adult13.0-16.9 gm/dL12.0-15.3 gm/dL
 1213.0-16.0 gm/dL12.0-16.0 gm/dL
 611.5-15.5 gm/dL11.5-15.5 gm/dL
 211.5-13.5 gm/dL11.5-13.5 gm/dL
 6 months10.5-13.5 gm/dL10.5-13.5 gm/dL
 3 months9.5-13.5 gm/dL9.5-13.5 gm/dL
 2 months9.0-13.0 gm/dL9.0-13.0 gm/dL
 1 month10.0-18.0 gm/dL10.0-18.0 gm/dL
 14 days12.5-20.5 gm/dL12.5-20.5 gm/dL
 7 days13.5-21.5 gm/dL13.5-21.5 gm/dL
 Newborn14.5-22.5 gm/dL14.5-22.5 gm/dL
 
Hematocrit   
 Adult39.1-49.5%36.0-45.2%
 12 y37.0-49.0%36.0-46.0%
 6 y35.0-45.0%35.0-45.0%
 2 y34.0-40.0%34.0-40.0%
 6 months33.0-39.0%33.0-39.0%
 3 months29.0-41.0%29.0-41.0%
 2 months28.0-42.0%28.0-42.0%
 1 month31.0-55.0%31.0-55.0%
 14 days39.0-63.0%39.0-63.0%
 7 days42.0-66.0%42.0-66.0%
 Newborn45.0-67.0%45.0-67.0%
    
 
MCV18 y.Adult82.0-99.5 fL81.5-97.5 fL
 12 y78.0-98.0 fL78.0-98.0 fL
 6 y77.0-95.0 fL77.0-95.0 fL
 2 y75.0-87.0 fL75.0-87.0 fL
 6 months70.0-86.0 fL70.0-86.0 fL
 3 months74.0-108.0 fL74.0-108.0 fL
 2 months77.0-115.0 fL77.0-115.0 fL
 1 month85.0-123.0 fL85.0-123.0 fL
 Newborn88.0-126.0 fL88.0-126.0 fL
    
 
MCH18 y/Adult27.0-34.0 pg27.0-34.0 pg
 12 y25.0-35.0 pg25.0-35.0 pg
 6 y25.0-33.0 pg25.0-33.0 pg
 2 y24.0-30.0 pg24.0-30.0 pg
 6 months23.0-31.0 pg23.0-31.0 pg
 3 months25.0-35.0 pg25.0-35.0 pg
 2 months26.0-34.0 pg26.0-34.0 pg
 1 month26.0-34.0 pg26.0-34.0 pg
 7 days28.0-40.0 pg28.0-40.0 pg
 Newborn31.0-37.0 pg31.0-37.0 pg
 
MCHCAll ages32.0-36.0 gm/dL32.0-36.0 gm/dL
RDWAll ages11.5-15.5%11.5-15.5%
PLTAll ages140-400 K/uL140-400 K/uL
MPVAll ages6.6-11.1 fL6.6-11.1 fL

Adult ranges established by normal range study performed at GMC and GWV Sysmex validation 2010. 
Pediatric ranges from Nathan and Oski's "Hematology of Infancy and Childhood, 7th edition."


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
See individual member listings.
Additional information: 

Patient with clumped platelets will result an estimate only (decreased, adequate, increased). For EDTA platelet clumping, order platelet count for patients with platelet clumping (LAB2859), an additional blue-top (sodium citrate) tube is required.

Potential related available add on testing includes: CBC with WBC differential (LAB1963); reticulocyte panel (LAB3006); immature platelet fraction (LAB2524) can only be added if sample is collected at testing laboratory). 

See individual test requirements.


CPT code(s):  85027
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, and MPV.


Methodology: 
Electronic resistance detection enhanced by hydrodynamic focusing and flow cytometry
Synonyms: 

CBC, Hemogram, Blood Count, Basic Blood Count, BBC, Complete Blood Count


Clinical significance: 

The complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that shows increases or decreases in white blood cell count, platelet count, and red blood cell count as well as other properties of the red blood cell. Abnormalities could indicate infection/inflammation, anemia, or leukemia, as well as other conditions.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Mary Dhesi MD
Review Date:  05/23/2025

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