An Introduction to the Complete Blood Count for Clinical Chemists: White Blood Cells

Area of Science:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Hematology

Background:

• The complete blood count (CBC) is the most frequently ordered laboratory test globally.
• Clinical chemists are increasingly involved in managing automated hematology sections, necessitating specialized expertise.
• This review aims to build that expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a primer on white blood cell (WBC) testing within the CBC.
• To discuss the laboratory evaluation of leukopenia and leukocytosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of white blood cell (WBC) test components.
• Discussion of laboratory approaches to leukopenia and leukocytosis.

Main Results:

• Introduction to WBC differential and enumeration.
• Framework for interpreting abnormal WBC counts.

Conclusions:

• Laboratorians should integrate patient history with laboratory findings.
• Key laboratory insights are crucial for resolving CBC result discrepancies.