Full blood count
Full blood count in Plymouth
A full blood count (FBC) in Plymouth measures red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and related markers to assess your overall blood health. This is one of the most useful general health screening tests available — it detects anaemia, infections, bleeding disorders, and can even hint at serious conditions like leukaemia. Our private full blood count requires no referral and is quick to perform, making it perfect for anyone with unexplained fatigue, recurrent infections, or pre-operative screening.
Why this test matters
Your blood tells the story of your health. A full blood count reveals whether you have enough oxygen-carrying cells (red blood cells), enough infection-fighting cells (white blood cells), and enough clotting cells (platelets). Fatigue, infections, unexplained bruising, and bleeding problems all show up on an FBC. It’s also essential before surgery to check that your blood can clot properly. Unlike many tests that check one system, an FBC gives a broad health snapshot and often flags conditions that need further investigation.
What this test measures
A full blood count measures multiple components of your blood, each with important clinical significance. Here’s what the key markers reveal.
| Marker | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Red blood cell count (RBC) | The number of red blood cells in a litre of blood | Low RBC indicates anaemia; your body can’t carry enough oxygen. High RBC (polycythaemia) can indicate lung disease or excessive red blood cell production. Either extreme needs investigation. |
| Haemoglobin (Hb) | The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells; measured in grams per litre | The primary marker of anaemia. Low haemoglobin means fatigue, breathlessness, and poor oxygen delivery to tissues. Normal is roughly 120–160 g/L for women and 135–175 g/L for men. |
| Haematocrit (Hct) | The percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells | Shows the proportion of red cells to plasma. Low haematocrit indicates anaemia; high haematocrit can indicate dehydration or blood doping. Useful for assessing hydration status. |
| White blood cell count (WBC) | The total number of white blood cells; also the differential count (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) | High WBC suggests infection or leukaemia; low WBC (immunosuppression) suggests bone marrow disease or HIV. The differential count helps identify the type of infection or disease. |
| Platelets | The number of small cells that help blood clot | Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) cause easy bruising and bleeding; high platelets increase clotting risk. Essential to check before surgery. Abnormal levels suggest bone marrow or immune disease. |
| Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) | The average size of your red blood cells | Large cells (macrocytic anaemia) suggest B12 or folate deficiency; small cells (microcytic anaemia) suggest iron deficiency or thalassaemia. Helps identify the type of anaemia. |
Who should get this test?
An FBC is useful for almost anyone. It’s part of routine health screening, essential before surgery or certain medications, and helpful for investigating any symptoms affecting energy, immunity, or clotting.
- Unexplained fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Recurrent infections
- Easy bruising
- Excessive bleeding
- Before surgery
- Pale appearance
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever or prolonged illness
- General health screening
What your results mean
Understanding your results
Your FBC results will show counts alongside reference ranges — the “normal” values for your age and sex. Our clinician interprets the numbers in context of your symptoms and overall health. Someone with a haemoglobin of 115 g/L might be significantly symptomatic with fatigue, while another person at 120 g/L might feel fine. We consider whether results explain your symptoms and whether further investigation is needed.
If your FBC shows anaemia (low haemoglobin or red blood cells), the next step is identifying the cause — usually iron deficiency, but sometimes B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, bleeding, or bone marrow disease. If your white blood cells are high, we investigate whether it’s infection or something more serious. If platelets are abnormal, we determine whether you’re at risk of bleeding before surgery or need investigation for clotting disorders. Your clinician discusses findings with you and arranges follow-up testing if needed.
What happens at your appointment
When you arrive at our Estover clinic in Plymouth, our clinician will ask about your symptoms, medical history, medications, and any recent illnesses. This context helps interpret your results properly. The blood draw is straightforward — usually from a vein in your arm — and takes less than five minutes. You can eat and drink normally, so there’s no need to plan your day around the appointment.
Your FBC is processed quickly by our laboratory; results are typically ready within 24–72 hours. You’ll receive them either at a follow-up appointment where our clinician explains the numbers in plain language and discusses what they mean for your health, or online if you prefer. If results are normal and reassuring, that’s great news. If any findings need further investigation — such as iron studies for anaemia or liver tests for infection signs — we’ll discuss next steps with you.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between an FBC and anaemia testing?
An FBC checks all blood cell types and gives a general health picture. It detects anaemia, but doesn’t always identify the cause — that requires additional tests like iron studies, B12, or folate levels. If your FBC suggests anaemia, we recommend these additional tests to find the cause so we can treat it properly.
Why would a GP order an FBC before surgery?
Before surgery, it’s essential to know whether your blood clots properly (normal platelet count) and whether you have normal haemoglobin (to handle blood loss safely). An FBC also checks for any unsuspected infections that might delay surgery. It’s a safety check before an invasive procedure.
What does a high white blood cell count mean?
Elevated WBC usually indicates infection — your immune system is fighting off bacteria, viruses, or fungi. However, it can also indicate leukaemia or other blood cancers, stress, or certain medications. Your clinician looks at the differential count (types of white cells) to help determine the cause.
Can diet or supplements affect FBC results?
Most components of an FBC aren’t affected by diet on the day of testing. However, chronic diet deficiency in iron, B12, or folate will show up as anaemia. Some supplements like iron can take weeks to affect results. Let our clinician know about recent dietary changes or supplements you’re taking.
How often should I have an FBC?
If you have no symptoms and previous results were normal, once every 1–3 years as part of routine health checks is reasonable. If you have anaemia or infection being treated, repeat testing monitors whether treatment is working. If you’re on medications that can affect blood counts, your clinician may recommend more frequent monitoring.
Related tests
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No referral needed. Results within 24–72 hours. From £25 appointment fee.
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