White Blood Cells (WBC) represent the body’s immune system and the various kinds of white cells have specialized functions.

• Lymphocytes are mainly for defense against virus and cancer cells.
• Polys are primarily defending against bacteria.
• Monocytes are the second line of defense and finish the job started by the lymphocytes and polys. They are seen in higher numbers when there is infection or inflammation.
• Basophils primarily function as clean up for allergy reactions.
• Eosinophils perform a service when toxins, allergens and parasites attack.

Red Blood Cells are the oxygen carrying cells using Hemoglobin to hold the oxygen until it is exchanged for carbon dioxide.

Hematocrit is a measure of the volume of whole blood taken up by the red blood cells and expressed as a percent.

MCV, MHC, MCV and RDW all reflect the size, shape and contents of red cells.

Platelets are special cells in the blood that help form clots when repair is necessary.