Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test

A complete blood count, or CBC, is a common blood test that measures the different cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These cells carry oxygen throughout your body, fight infection, and help your blood clot properly, so this test gives your healthcare provider a broad picture of your overall health.

The androstenedione test measures the amount of androstenedione in your blood. Androstenedione is a hormone (called an androgen) produced mainly by the adrenal glands (located above your kidneys) and, in women, by the ovaries. It serves as a building block for other important hormones like testosterone and estrogen.

Your provider may order this test as part of a routine checkup, or to look into symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, fever, easy bruising, or unexplained bleeding. It can also help find conditions like anemia, infection, or blood disorders, and it is often used to monitor a chronic condition or to see how a treatment, such as chemotherapy, is affecting your blood cells.

Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as: irregular or absent menstrual periods, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), severe acne, difficulty becoming pregnant, or signs of puberty occurring too early (in children). It helps doctors determine if your adrenal glands or ovaries are producing too much or too little of this hormone.

This test is done with a simple blood draw. A healthcare professional will place a tight band around your upper arm, clean the skin on the inside of your elbow, and insert a small needle into a vein to collect a sample into a tube. The process usually takes only a few minutes, and you may feel a brief pinch. After the needle is removed, pressure and a small bandage are applied to the site.

A healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The test typically requires no special preparation, but follow your doctor's instructions about whether you need to fast or stop certain medications before the test.

Your results show whether the number, size, and features of your blood cells fall within normal ranges. Values that are too high or too low may point to conditions such as anemia, infection, inflammation, or clotting problems, but abnormal results do not confirm a diagnosis on their own. Your healthcare provider will interpret the numbers along with your symptoms, medical history, and other test results to decide whether further evaluation or treatment is needed.

Normal androstenedione levels vary by age, sex, and laboratory reference ranges. High levels may indicate conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal tumors, or ovarian tumors. Low levels may be due to adrenal insufficiency or ovarian failure. Your doctor will interpret your results along with your symptoms and other test results.