IMULAB
Full blood count (FBC)
Full blood count (FBC)
How do you want to take your sample?
Please choose one option below-
Sample collection at a Superdrug Clinic +£35.00
Visit one of Superdrug's clinics across the UK where a healthcare professional will take your sample from a vein in your arm. We’ll email you instructions on how to book after we’ve processed your order.
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Sample collection at home with a nurse +£59.00
Book an appointment for one of our nurses to visit your home and take your blood sample from a vein your arm.
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Sample collection with your own healthcare professional Free
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional of your choice to have your venous blood sample taken. You will be responsible for arranging your appointment and any additional fees.
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The IMULAB Full Blood Count gives a detailed view of the main cells circulating in your blood, including haemoglobin and red cell indices, white cell count and differential, and platelet count.
It is useful when you specifically want to assess your blood count or follow previous Full Blood Count results.
If you are trying to understand fatigue, iron status, recovery or wider health and performance, an FBC alone may not give enough information.
What is a Full Blood Count?
A Full Blood Count measures the number and characteristics of the main blood cells circulating in your body.
Red blood cells
Red blood cells contain haemoglobin and carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues around the body. The FBC also measures several red cell indices which provide more information about the size and characteristics of those cells.
White blood cells
White blood cells form part of the immune system. The FBC measures the total white cell count together with the main types of white blood cells circulating in your blood.
Platelets
Platelets are small blood components involved in normal clot formation. Platelet count is included as part of the Full Blood Count.
What will I see in my results?
Your IMULAB Full Blood Count reports the principal red cell measurements, white blood cell count and differential, and platelet count.
What can an FBC tell me?
An FBC can show whether the number or characteristics of your circulating blood cells sit outside the laboratory reference range.
Changes in haemoglobin, red cell count or red cell indices can provide useful information. Changes in white blood cells or platelets may also be relevant and sometimes require further investigation.
What the FBC cannot usually tell you on its own is why a result has changed.
The Full Blood Count shows the blood cell pattern. Understanding the reason for a change may require wider context or further testing.
An FBC is not the same as an iron test.
This is an important distinction.
A Full Blood Count measures haemoglobin and the characteristics of your red blood cells. It does not directly measure your stored iron.
Ferritin is used to provide information about iron stores and is a separate blood measurement.
Looking for a wider explanation?
Ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, thyroid function and hormones are not measured by a standard Full Blood Count.
Why does a Full Blood Count matter for athletes?
Red blood cells and haemoglobin are relevant to physical performance because haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen around the body.
The interpretation is not as simple as assuming that a higher result is always better.
Training status, hydration, plasma volume, altitude exposure and recent exercise can all affect concentration-based blood measurements.
This is why IMULAB considers results alongside training context and previous results where these are available.
If an athlete is experiencing fatigue, reduced endurance or a change in performance, however, an FBC alone may be too narrow. Iron status, nutritional markers, thyroid function and other systems may also need to be considered.
Who is the Full Blood Count for?
Choose the IMULAB Full Blood Count when the blood count itself is what you want to assess.
It can also be useful when you are repeating a previous Full Blood Count and want to follow specific blood cell markers over time.
If you do not already know what you are looking for, starting with a broader panel will usually provide more useful context.
Before your blood test.
Follow the sampling instructions provided by IMULAB with your test and make sure you are normally hydrated before collection unless your instructions tell you otherwise.
If you are repeating an FBC to compare results over time, collecting your samples under reasonably similar conditions makes the comparison more useful.
Start with the IMULAB Performance Baseline.
If you want to understand your blood count alongside iron status, nutrition, thyroid function, hormones, cardiovascular health and other areas relevant to health and performance, start with the broader IMULAB Performance Baseline.
Establish the baseline first. Then use focused tests such as the FBC when there is a specific reason to follow those markers.
View Performance Baseline →
Red Blood Cells
Haemoglobin
Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to different tissues and organs throughout the body. It also plays a crucial role in carrying carbon dioxide, a waste product, from the tissues back to the lungs for elimination. The production and maintenance of healthy haemoglobin levels are essential for overall health and well-being.
When haemoglobin levels are low, a condition known as anemia can occur. Anemia can have various causes, including nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, blood loss, or impaired production of red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia may include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, dizziness, and irregular heartbeats. It can lead to a reduced capacity to deliver oxygen to the body's tissues, affecting overall energy levels and organ function.
On the other hand, high levels of haemoglobin, referred to as polycythemia, can occur in certain conditions such as lung disease, congenital heart defects, or bone marrow disorders. Polycythemia can make the blood thicker and more viscous, which may lead to complications like blood clots, heart attacks, or strokes. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, and increased blood pressure.
Maintaining optimal haemoglobin levels is important for proper oxygen transport and overall health. If you suspect any abnormalities in your haemoglobin levels, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Haematocrit (HCT)
Red Blood Cell (RBC)
The Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count is a test that evaluates the quantity of red blood cells present in the blood. Red blood cells play a crucial role in transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues, where it is utilized for various energy processes like respiration and movement. They also carry carbon dioxide from the body tissues back to the lungs, where it can be removed from the body through exhalation.
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
Red Cell Distribution Width
White Blood Cells
White Blood Cell (WBC)
Neutrophils
Neutrophils are the predominant type of white blood cell in the human body that assist in combating infections. They are the primary defence mechanism that detects and destroys pathogens before other types of white blood cells are activated. If the number of neutrophils in the blood is reduced, the body becomes more susceptible to illnesses and infections.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are a group of white blood cells that play a crucial role in the body's immune system by fighting against bacterial and viral infections. They are specialized white blood cells that can recognize and differentiate between different foreign organisms that invade the body. Apart from their role in fighting infections, they also produce antibodies and memory cells that can help prevent future infections from the same germ. Lymphocytes consist of T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells.
Eosinophils
Basophils
Monocytes
Coagulation (Clotting)
Platelet Count
Sampling special instructions
Prepare for your test by following the instructions contained withon your kit. For accurate results, please ensure that you fast for 8-12 hours prior to taking your sample. This means avoiding any food or beverages (except water) during this fasting period.