A Complete Blood Count (CBC) can provide clues that may suggest Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), but it cannot definitively diagnose it. A CBC is often used as part of the initial workup for IBD to look for signs of infection and anemia.
Here's a breakdown:
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What a CBC is: A CBC is a common blood test that evaluates the different types of cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
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How it relates to IBD:
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Anemia: IBD can cause anemia (low red blood cell count) due to chronic inflammation and blood loss in the digestive tract. A CBC can detect anemia.
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Infection: Elevated white blood cell count (WBC) can indicate inflammation or infection, which can be present in IBD. A CBC can detect elevated WBC.
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Why it's not a definitive test: While a CBC can show signs suggestive of IBD, these signs can also be caused by other conditions. Therefore, other tests like colonoscopy, endoscopy, stool tests, and imaging are needed for a definitive diagnosis.
IBD Blood Tests
| Blood Test | What it Detects | Specific to IBD? |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Anemia, infection | No |
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | Inflammation | No |
| Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) | Inflammation | No |
| Liver Function Tests (LFTs) | Liver and bile duct problems, which are occasionally seen in some people with Crohn's disease | No |
As the reference states, "Routine blood tests for IBD may include: • Complete blood count (CBC) to detect infection and anemia • Inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) • Liver function tests to screen for liver and bile duct problems, which are occasionally seen in some people with Crohn's ..."
