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WHAT ARE BLOOD COUNTS?

The term "Blood Counts" refers to the number of blood cells you have in your body. There are 3 different kinds of blood cells: Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets.
Before you learn more about the kinds of blood cells, it is important to know where they come from.

SKELETON

The skeleton that forms the "frame" of your body is made up of many bones.

Bones are actually hollow on the inside.

The hollow section is filled with a liquid substance called "bone marrow."

This bone marrow is where blood cells are made.

The outside of a bone

The inside of a bone

Where Stem Cells are Made

Some of the stem cells grow up to become RED BLOOD CELLS
Some of the Stem Cells Grow up to become White Blood Cells
Some of the stem cells grow up to become Platelets

We measure your blood cells by doing a Complete Blood Count (CBC).

A CBC means a drop of blood is taken from you and the laboratory counts how many RED BLOOD CELLS (including hemoglobin), PLATELETS, and WHITE BLOOD CELLS are in the blood. You will hear your doctors and nurses talking about your CBC results.