Complete Blood Count

Your blood cells carry oxygen, fight infections, and support clotting. A CBC quantifies these cell populations and their characteristics, which can reflect how your body is responding to training, recovery, nutrition, and overall health status.

This test may be relevant for anyone who wants a baseline view of their blood cell counts. It can be particularly useful for those engaged in intense training, as haematological values can shift with high training volumes, or for individuals who want to monitor parameters like haemoglobin and haematocrit over time.

• Red Blood Cells (RBC): the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.
• Haemoglobin: the protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen.
• Haematocrit: the percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.
• White Blood Cells (WBC): cells involved in immune function.
• Platelets: cell fragments involved in blood clotting.
• Indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC): calculated values that describe the size and haemoglobin content of red blood cells.

The results may indicate whether your blood cell populations are within expected ranges. Low haemoglobin or red blood cell counts could be associated with iron deficiency or other nutritional factors. Elevated haematocrit may be linked to dehydration or other causes. White blood cell counts can fluctuate with training stress, illness, or recovery status.

A blood sample is drawn at a certified sample point (afnamepunt). There are over 750 locations across the Netherlands. After placing your order, you can select a location and time that works for you.

A CBC may be useful as a general health check, as a baseline before starting a new training programme, or when symptoms such as persistent fatigue, unusual bruising, or frequent illness prompt a closer look at blood cell counts.

Results are presented with reference ranges for each parameter. Values outside these ranges do not necessarily indicate a clinical problem; factors such as training status, hydration, altitude, and timing of the blood draw can all influence the results. A healthcare provider can help interpret any findings in context.

Your results are available in your personal dashboard. If any values fall outside the reference range, or if you want to discuss your haematological status in the context of your training and recovery, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended.