An Introduction to the Complete Blood Count for Clinical Chemists: Red Blood Cells.

Background: The most frequently ordered laboratory test worldwide is the complete blood count (CBC).

Content: In this primer, the red blood cell test components of the CBC are introduced, followed by a discussion of the laboratory evaluation of anemia and polycythemia.

Summary: As clinical chemists are increasingly tasked to direct laboratories outside of the traditional clinical chemistry sections such as hematology, expertise must be developed. This review article is a dedication to that effort.