[ 01 ] Haematology / FBC
Full blood count
The most requested test in the lab. One small tube gives your doctor a count of red cells, white cells and platelets.
- Code
- FBC
- Sample
- Blood, EDTA tube
- Turnaround
- 4 hours
- Fasting
- Not needed
- Example price
- ₦9,500
- Home collection
- Available
[ 02 ] What it measures
The parameters
Each is reported with a unit and a reference range for your age and sex. Your doctor interprets the full picture.
| Parameter | What it tells your doctor | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | How much oxygen-carrying protein is in your blood | g/dL |
| Red cell count | Number of red blood cells | x10^12/L |
| Haematocrit | Share of blood made up of red cells | % |
| MCV | Average size of your red cells | fL |
| White cell count | Cells that fight infection | x10^9/L |
| Differential | Breakdown of the five white cell types | % |
| Platelets | Cells that help blood clot | x10^9/L |
[ 03 ] Preparation
Before you come
- 01No fasting needed. Eat and drink as normal.
- 02Wear a top with sleeves that roll up easily.
- 03Drink a glass of water beforehand, it makes the vein easier to find.
- 04Tell the phlebotomist if you feel faint with needles, we can lay you down.
[ 04 ] In the lab
How we run it
Your EDTA tube is mixed gently and loaded onto a five-part haematology analyser, which counts and sizes tens of thousands of cells in under a minute.
Any sample with an unusual result is checked on a stained slide under the microscope by a scientist before release.
[ 07 ] Sample output
How the report looks
Example values only.
| Parameter | Result | Range | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 11.2 g/dL | 12.0 to 16.0 | L |
| MCV | 76 fL | 80 to 100 | L |
| White cell count | 6.4 | 4.0 to 11.0 | |
| Platelets | 310 | 150 to 400 |
[ 05 ] Questions
Asked at the front desk
Usually four hours from when the sample reaches the lab. Home collections in the morning are often released the same afternoon.
Yes. A full blood count does not need fasting. If it is ordered with a lipid profile or blood sugar, you will need to fast for those.
A value outside the reference range. It is common and does not always mean something is wrong. Your doctor will explain it.
[ 06 ] Often ordered with
Related tests
| Test | Category | Sample | Turnaround | Fasting | Example price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rateESR | Haematology | Blood, EDTA tube | 4 hours | No | ₦4,500 |
| Malaria parasite testMP | Infection | Blood, EDTA tube | 2 hours | No | ₦3,000 |
| Blood group and genotypeBGG | Haematology | Blood, EDTA tube | Same day | No | ₦6,000 |
| Clotting screenCLOT | Haematology | Blood, citrate tube | Same day | No | ₦18,000 |
Book full blood count.
At home from 6am, or walk into any branch. Results by text and online.