Full Blood Count (FBC) + Differential LIS Code: FULL BLOODCOUNT
Private full blood count (FBC) with differential: £40 + £25 blood draw, results in about 4 hours. Slough, Victoria, Neasden or a home visit. No GP referral.
Before your test
Test Categories
About this test
A full blood count (FBC) is the most common blood test in the UK. It counts and measures the three main types of cell in your blood: red cells, white cells and platelets. Ours includes a differential, which breaks your white cells down into their five types, so you get the full picture from one small sample.
What an FBC measures
- Haemoglobin (Hb), the protein in red cells that carries oxygen. A low level is the main sign of anaemia.
- Red cell count, haematocrit and red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW), which show how many red cells you have and their size. Small cells often point to low iron, and large cells to low vitamin B12 or folate.
- White cell count, your infection-fighting cells, and the differential: neutrophils (mainly bacterial infections), lymphocytes (mainly viral infections), monocytes, eosinophils (allergies and parasites) and basophils.
- Platelets, the cells that help your blood clot.
When people book an FBC
- Tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness or looking pale, to check for anaemia.
- Infections that keep coming back or are slow to clear.
- Bruising easily, nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
- Heavy periods, which are a common cause of low iron.
- A routine health check, or before travel, surgery or starting a new training plan.
- Monitoring a known condition, as agreed with your doctor.
What abnormal results can mean
- Low haemoglobin: anaemia. The size of your red cells helps show the likely cause, and a ferritin test tells you whether your iron stores are low.
- High white cells: most often an infection or inflammation. The differential shows which type is raised, which helps point to the cause.
- Low white cells: can follow a recent viral illness and often settles, but it's worth repeating.
- High or low platelets: can follow an infection, inflammation or low iron. Persistently abnormal platelets should be checked by a doctor.
One slightly abnormal value is common and often not important on its own. Your report shows each result against the laboratory's reference range, and if anything needs following up, you can book a GP consultation to go through it.
How it works at VitaLync
- £40 for the test, plus a £25 blood draw at our Slough, Victoria or Neasden clinic, or book a nurse visit at home or work.
- No fasting and no special preparation. You can book any time of day.
- The sample takes about five minutes, and the laboratory usually reports an FBC within about 4 hours of receiving it.
- Results appear in your secure online account. No GP referral is needed.
Common questions
Will an FBC show if I'm low in iron? It can show the effects of low iron, such as small red cells or low haemoglobin, but not how much iron you have stored. For that, add a ferritin test or book our Iron Status Profile.
Is an FBC enough for a general health check? It's a good start, but it doesn't check your kidneys, liver, cholesterol or blood sugar. Our Full Biochemistry & Haematology Profile includes an FBC alongside those, from the same blood draw.
Can an FBC detect cancer? It can't diagnose or rule out cancer. Some blood conditions show up as unusual cell counts, which is why any persistent abnormal result should be reviewed by a doctor.
