Full Blood Count
A Full Blood Count (FBC), sometimes called a Complete Blood Count (CBC), is a simple yet powerful blood test that measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in your bloodstream.
Your Health Snapshot: Detect Anaemia, Infections, and More with a Simple FBC – From Home
Feeling unusually tired, breathless, or prone to bruising? A Full Blood Count (FBC) uncovers imbalances in red/white cells, platelets, and haemoglobin that signal anaemia, inflammation, or immune issues – before they escalate. Our test provides a complete overview, like an NHS baseline, to guide early action and vitality.
A nurse collects a quick venous sample at your door, results in 7 days – the routine check empowering proactive wellbeing.
The Warning Signs in Your Blood – Why Ignoring Fatigue or Bruises Risks Bigger Issues
Blood cells are your body’s workforce: Red cells oxygenate for energy, white cells battle infections, platelets prevent bleeds – but disruptions from diet, stress, or hidden conditions (anaemia, infections, autoimmune) cause subtle chaos. Low haemoglobin leaves you weak and winded, high white cells flag silent inflammation, or low platelets spark unexplained bruises – mimicking ‘normal’ tiredness but potentially signalling leukaemia, clotting woes, or chronic fatigue.
In the UK, where busy lives mask symptoms, delays in checks like pre-surgery FBCs lead to complications; early detection via cell counts prevents escalation, often with simple fixes. “My breathlessness was anaemia – the FBC caught it early, and iron turned me around.” – David S., Manchester.
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen – a full count reveals the full story.
Who Should Take the Full Blood Count Test? If You’re Monitoring or Spotting Signs, This Is Essential
This foundational test suits routine or reactive health. Prioritise if you’re:
- Experiencing tiredness, fatigue, or breathlessness that daily life can’t explain?
Noticing anaemia clues like pale skin, dizziness, or low energy from possible deficiencies?
Dealing with inflammation signs such as frequent infections, swelling, or joint aches?
Seeing immune or bleeding issues like easy bruising, slow healing, or recurrent illnesses?
Managing chronic conditions (autoimmune, cancer, blood disorders) or pre-surgery prep?
Over 40 or at risk (e.g., vegetarian, family history) for annual baselines?
Test yearly for wellness, 3-6 months for monitoring, or as GP advises post-symptoms/med changes.
What Your Full Blood Count Test Reveals – A Detailed Breakdown of Your Blood Cells
Our accredited UK lab analyses your venous sample for a complete profile, delivering a PDF report with ranges, flags (e.g., low Hb for anaemia), and NHS-style interpretations. Key components grouped:
Red Blood Cells (Oxygen Carriers):
- Red Blood Cells (RBC): Count of oxygen-transporting cells; lows indicate anaemia causing fatigue.
- Haemoglobin (Hb): Protein binding oxygen; low triggers weakness, breathlessness – common in women/vegans.
- Hematocrit (HCT): Red cell volume percentage; assesses hydration, anaemia, or polycythaemia.
White Blood Cells (Immune Defenders):
- White Blood Cells (WBC): Total fighters against infection; highs suggest inflammation/infection, lows immune weakness.
- Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils (Subtypes): Pinpoint causes – e.g., neutrophils for bacterial fights, eosinophils for allergies.
Platelets and Cell Quality:
- Platelets (PLT): Clotting essentials; abnormal risks bleeding/bruising or thrombosis.
- Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) & MCHC, Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Size/haemoglobin variation; diagnose anaemia types (e.g., iron-deficiency small cells).
Report trends (e.g., rising WBC for monitoring) and flags for GP follow-up.
Interpreting Your Results – Next Steps for Optimal Blood Health
- FBC insights guide targeted improvements – share with your GP for diagnosis/treatment; common actions:
- Anaemia (Low RBC/Hb/MCV): Boost iron (red meat, spinach) + vitamin C; supplements if deficient – retest in 3 months for energy gains.
- Infection/Inflammation (High WBC/Subtypes): Rest, hydration; antibiotics if bacterial – monitor for chronic like autoimmune.
- Clotting Concerns (Low/High PLT): Balance diet (leafy greens for K), avoid excesses; meds if needed.
- Routine Optimise: Yearly tweaks – balanced meals, exercise for cell production; address risks like smoking for better counts.
Most see improvements with lifestyle; retest to track.
What You Might Be Wondering – Honest Insights Inside
- Routine or alarming? Often wellness check; flags prompt GP – 80% benign but insightful.
- Painful draw? Minimal – our nurses use fine needles; quicker than GP visits.
- UK-specific? Aligned with NHS parameters; ideal pre-op or chronic monitoring.
- Normal results? Reassuring baseline; retest annually if risks.
Catch issues early – test for tomorrow’s strength.
Testing for Full Blood Count
✅ Over 2,000 tests completed across the UK
✅ Trusted by patients, athletes, and health-conscious professionals
✅ NHS-comparable testing standards
✅ 100% secure and confidential
How often should I have a Full Blood Count Blood Test?
- Once a year: Ideal for routine wellness checks, especially if you’re over 40, have lifestyle risk factors (e.g., diet, exercise, family history), or want a baseline snapshot of anaemia, infections, or inflammation.
- Every 3–6 months: Recommended if you’re managing chronic conditions like anaemia, autoimmune diseases, cancer, or blood disorders – to monitor treatment effectiveness or catch changes early.
- As advised by your doctor: After abnormal results, starting new medications, experiencing symptoms (e.g., fatigue, bruising), or during health shifts like recovery from illness.
- Before surgery or treatments: To establish a safe baseline, ensuring your red/white cells and platelets are optimal for procedures.
Nurse appointments fill up fast — book now to secure your preferred date.
Other Questions
- Tiredness
- Anaemia
- Signs of inflammation
- Signs of immune system problems
- Unexplained bruising
- Breathlessness
- Fatigue
- Monitor long term illnesses
- Prepare for surgery
- Full Blood Count
Take the blood test as part of a routine health check-up, before surgery or starting new medication, to monitor chronic conditions (e.g. autoimmune disease, cancer, blood disorders), if advised by a healthcare professional following abnormal results or treatment, during ongoing treatment to track progress or side effects.
Collection method: Venous blood
Results available: 4-5 days after the sample has reached the laboratory.
Full Blood Count (FBC)
A full blood count will measure the red and white blood cells along with platelets in your blood. The results give a good indication to general health and may detect certain conditions such as anaemia, infection or clotting disorders.
Red Blood Cells (RBC):
Carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Low levels may indicate anaemia.
Haemoglobin (Hb):
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low haemoglobin can cause fatigue, weakness, or breathlessness.
Hematocrit (HCT):
Measures how much of your blood is made up of red blood cells. It helps assess hydration levels and anaemia.
White Blood Cells (WBC):
Help fight infection. Raised or lowered levels can point to infections, inflammation, immune conditions, or bone marrow problems.
Platelets (PLT):
Essential for blood clotting. Abnormal platelet levels may affect how your blood clots and could signal bleeding disorders or other medical conditions.
Mean Cell Volume (MCV):
Shows the average size of your red blood cells. Helps identify the type of anaemia you may have.
Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) & Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC):
Show how much haemoglobin is in each red blood cell, helping further pinpoint anaemia type.
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW):
Indicates variation in red blood cell size—useful in diagnosing different forms of anaemia.
Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils (WBC Subtypes):
These white cell types help narrow down the cause of an immune response, such as infection, allergies, or inflammation.
How it Works
1. Order a Test
Order your test, and then Answer the Questions about why you’re taking that test.
Our nurse will contact you for dates, so they can take your blood sample at your home.
Our nurse will then send your sample to our laboratory.
2. Our laboratory team run the tests
Our skilled laboratory staff conduct your blood tests in a clean and secure environment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
Each test follows strict protocols to maintain the highest quality standards.
3. Receive Your Results within 7 days
We will email you to inform you that your blood test results are ready.
The email will have a PDF report attached, sent directly to your inbox.
4. Monitor your levels over time
With regular ongoing tests and reports, you can track your results. The reports can be shared with your GP.
Check if you’re improving healthily or where changes could be made.
