Full blood count test (FBC)

Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. It carries oxygen around your body. If you have anaemia, you will have a low level of haemoglobin. Anaemia can make you feel very tired and weak.

Also called haematocrit

Blood cells are in a liquid called plasma. For a PCV test, the lab will take a small amount of blood and look at how much is cells and how much is plasma.

Lots of things can cause a decrease in PCV including some liver conditions.

This is a measure of the average size of your red blood cells. Your MCV can sometimes be affected by problems with your liver.

This is a measure of the average amount of haemoglobin in your red blood cells.

Also called: Leucocyte count

White blood cells are actually a group of different cells. They are all part of your immune system.

A high level of white blood cells can be caused by things like infections and blood disorders.

Lots of things can cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells. This includes some types of liver disease.

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell. They help to protect you against bacterial infections. The number of neutrophils in your blood can vary a lot from day to day and between different people.

Monocytes are large white blood cells. They can help to remove and clear up infections caused by things like bacteria.

Eosinophils are white blood cells. They are usually involved in attacking parasites. The number of eosinophils in your blood can also be increased by conditions including hay fever, asthma and eczema.

Basophils are a type of white blood cell. Some infections and inflammatory conditions can cause an increase in the number of basophils in your blood.

Platelets are small cells or parts of cells in your blood. They have an important role in stopping bleeding if you get a cut or bruise.

Many conditions, including some liver conditions can cause a low platelet count. You might also hear this called “thrombocytopaenia”.

You can find out more about thrombocytopaenia caused by cirrhosis here.

This looks at the size of your platelets. Newer platelets are larger than older ones.