Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test

A complete blood count (CBC) is a routine blood test that measures the cells that make up your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. It is one of the most commonly ordered laboratory tests and provides your healthcare provider with an overall picture of your general health.

The acarboxyprothrombin test, also known as the PIVKA-II (Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonists) test, measures a specific form of prothrombin (Factor II) in your blood. Prothrombin is a protein made by the liver that helps blood clot properly. When vitamin K is lacking or when certain blood thinners (like warfarin) are taken, the liver produces an abnormal form of prothrombin called acarboxyprothrombin.

This test is performed to help detect a wide range of conditions, such as anemia, infections, inflammation, and certain blood disorders. Your doctor may order it as part of a routine checkup, to investigate symptoms like fatigue, weakness, fever, or unusual bruising and bleeding, or to monitor an ongoing condition or treatment, such as chemotherapy.

This test is ordered by healthcare providers to: (1) Check for vitamin K deficiency, which can cause bleeding problems; (2) Monitor patients taking warfarin or other anticoagulant medications; (3) Evaluate liver function and detect certain liver diseases; (4) In some regions, it is used as a tumor marker to help detect or monitor hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).

The test is done with a simple blood draw, usually from a vein on the inside of your elbow or the back of your hand. A healthcare professional will clean the area, wrap a band around your upper arm, and insert a small needle to collect a sample into a tube. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and you may feel a brief pinch. Afterward, a small bandage is applied, and you can return to your normal activities right away.

A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. You do not need to fast before this test, but make sure to inform your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking, especially blood thinners or vitamin K supplements.

Your results will show whether each measured value falls within the typical reference range for your age and sex. Values that are slightly outside the normal range do not always mean you are ill, so your provider will interpret them together with your symptoms, medical history, and other test findings. If any results are abnormal, your healthcare provider may recommend repeat testing or additional evaluations to determine the cause and plan the next steps in your care.

Normal results vary by laboratory. Elevated levels of acarboxyprothrombin may indicate vitamin K deficiency, liver disease, or may be seen in patients taking warfarin. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your overall health, medications, and other test findings.