While a CBC (Complete Blood Count) test can be helpful in identifying some aspects of allergies, it does not directly detect allergies.
- CBC: This test measures the different types of cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes), and platelets. Changes in these cell counts can reflect conditions like infections, allergies, and clotting problems.
- Allergies: Allergies are triggered by your immune system's reaction to a substance (allergen). This reaction often involves an increase in IgE antibodies, which are not directly measured by a CBC.
To identify specific allergies, different types of blood tests are used:
- Allergy Blood Tests: These tests check for increased levels of IgE antibodies specific to certain allergens.
In conclusion, a CBC test can be used to monitor conditions like allergies, but it does not directly diagnose them. Specific allergy blood tests are needed to identify the presence and type of allergen-specific antibodies.
