Haemoglobin · WBC Differential · Platelets · Lagos

Full Blood Count (FBC / CBC)

Twenty-plus parameters measured from a single blood draw — haemoglobin, packed cell volume, white cell differential, and platelet count. The most ordered test in Nigerian medicine, available same-day across Lagos from our Akoka laboratory.

20+Parameters
NoFasting Required
SameDay Results
Full Blood Count
Haemoglobin 9.2 g/dL Low
PCV (Haematocrit) 28% Low
WBC 12.4 ×10⁹/L Elevated
Neutrophils 82% High
Platelets 188 ×10⁹/L Normal

Three Lineages, One Test

The FBC assesses all three blood cell types — red cells (oxygen transport), white cells (immunity), and platelets (clotting) — in a single automated analysis.

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Red Blood Cell Parameters

Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV/haematocrit), Red Cell Count (RBC), MCV (mean corpuscular volume), MCH, MCHC, and RDW. Together they identify anaemia and classify its type — iron-deficiency, B12/folate, haemolytic, or sickle cell.

  • Hb men: 13.5–17.5 g/dL; women: 12–16 g/dL
  • MCV low = iron deficiency; high = B12/folate
  • RDW elevated = mixed-deficiency anaemia
  • PCV reflects overall red cell mass

White Cell Differential

Total WBC count plus differential: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophilia suggests bacterial infection; lymphocytosis suggests viral illness or lymphoma; eosinophilia points to parasitic infection or allergy — all common presentations in Lagos clinics.

  • Total WBC: 4.0–11.0 ×10⁹/L normal
  • Neutrophilia: bacterial infection, stress
  • Lymphocytosis: viral infection, CLL
  • Eosinophilia: parasites, allergy, asthma
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Platelet Count & Indices

Platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV). Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) cause bleeding risk — seen in dengue fever, malaria, ITP, and bone marrow suppression. High platelets (thrombocytosis) can occur after infection or in myeloproliferative disorders.

  • Normal: 150–400 ×10⁹/L
  • Thrombocytopenia (<150): bleeding risk
  • Malaria commonly causes low platelets
  • MPV: marker of platelet activity

When to Order an FBC in Lagos

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Fatigue, weakness, pallor The most common reason Lagosians request an FBC. Anaemia is widespread — dietary iron deficiency, hookworm, and sickle cell trait all reduce haemoglobin and cause debilitating tiredness.
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Fever, suspected malaria or infection In Lagos, an FBC alongside a malaria rapid test is standard for febrile illness. WBC differential and platelet count narrow the diagnosis — malaria vs. typhoid vs. bacterial sepsis.
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Antenatal screening for anaemia Pregnancy increases iron and folate demand significantly. Anaemia in pregnancy is associated with preterm birth and low birth weight — all Lagos antenatal bookings should include an FBC.
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Monitoring chemotherapy or antiretroviral therapy Cancer chemotherapy and many HIV antiretrovirals suppress bone marrow. Regular FBC monitoring in Lagos patients on these treatments detects dangerous drops in counts early.
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Routine annual health screen An FBC as part of an annual check-up in Lagos detects silent haematological conditions before they become symptomatic — particularly important for adults over 40.
Normal Reference Values
Haemoglobin Men: 13.5–17.5 g/dL  |  Women: 12.0–16.0 g/dL  |  Pregnancy: ≥11 g/dL
WBC (Total) 4.0–11.0 ×10⁹/L  |  Neutrophils 40–70%  |  Lymphocytes 20–45%
Platelets 150–400 ×10⁹/L  |  Dengue/malaria: monitor for <100 ×10⁹/L
MCV 80–100 fL  |  Low = iron deficiency  |  High = B12/folate deficiency

Walk In — No Preparation Needed

1

No Fasting Required

The FBC does not require fasting. You can eat, drink, and take your regular medications normally before your visit. Walk in at any time during our Lagos laboratory hours — Monday to Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM. Same-day results.

2

Avoid Strenuous Exercise

Avoid intense physical exercise for 24 hours before the test. Vigorous exercise transiently raises WBC and can temporarily lower platelets — producing results that look abnormal but are physiologically normal. A rested sample is the most accurate.

3

Mention Key Medications

Tell us about iron supplements, B12 injections, blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin), chemotherapy drugs, or antiretroviral medications — all significantly affect FBC parameters. Knowing your medications helps our scientists interpret borderline results correctly.

Lagos's Haematology Laboratory

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Automated haematology analyser

We use a calibrated 5-part differential haematology analyser — the same technology used in Lagos teaching hospitals. Results include all 20+ parameters, not just haemoglobin and WBC total.

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Flagged abnormals with interpretation

Abnormal results are automatically flagged and our scientists review differential patterns — distinguishing reactive neutrophilia from left-shift, or iron-deficiency from thalassaemia trait.

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Same-day results from Lagos walk-ins

Results are available within hours of your visit — whether you come from Lagos Island, Lekki, Ikeja, or the Mainland. No appointment required.

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Central Lagos, accessible to all

52 Sholanke Street, Akoka — on the Third Mainland Bridge corridor, convenient for patients coming from Lagos Island, Lekki, and Ikoyi heading to Yaba or beyond.

"I came from Lekki expecting a long wait. I was in and out in 30 minutes with the full CBC including differential. Results were ready by 3 PM the same day. Genuinely impressed."

SE
S.E.Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
✓ 20+ parameter automated FBC
✓ 5-part WBC differential
✓ Same-day Lagos results
Book Your Full Blood Count in Lagos

Your Complete Blood Picture

Walk in or book ahead. Located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos.

Monday – Saturday  ·  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM  ·  Closed Sundays & Public Holidays

No fasting required  ·  20+ parameters  ·  Same-day results  ·  Walk-ins welcome Mon – Sat