Get a full blood count test referral online. Bulk billed

What is a full blood count?

A full blood count (FBC), also known as a complete blood count, is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests in Australia. It measures the key components of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and platelets. Each of these components provides important information about your overall health.

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, and abnormal levels can indicate anaemia or other conditions. White blood cells are part of your immune system, and elevated levels may suggest infection or inflammation. Platelet levels help assess your blood's ability to clot properly.

When you might need a full blood count

Your GP may recommend a full blood count if you are experiencing symptoms such as persistent fatigue, unexplained weakness, bruising easily, frequent infections, or shortness of breath. An FBC is also commonly ordered as part of a routine health check, pre-operative assessment, or to monitor existing conditions such as chronic disease or medication effects.

Because the FBC provides a broad overview of your blood health, it is often the first test ordered when investigating a wide range of symptoms. If the results are abnormal, your GP may order additional targeted tests to identify the underlying cause.

How to get a full blood count test referral online

Getting a full blood count test referral online through NewDoc is straightforward. Book a telehealth appointment, speak with an AHPRA-registered GP via video or phone, and discuss your symptoms or health concerns. If the doctor determines an FBC is clinically appropriate, the pathology referral will be emailed to you after the consultation.

You then take the referral to any pathology collection centre in Australia, such as Laverty, Douglass Hanly Moir, QML, or Australian Clinical Labs. Most centres accept walk-ins. The blood sample is collected, and results are sent to your NewDoc GP, who will contact you to discuss the findings.

Understanding your FBC results

Your NewDoc GP will review your full blood count results and explain what they mean for your health. Common findings include low haemoglobin (which may indicate iron deficiency anaemia), elevated white blood cells (which may suggest infection or inflammation), and low platelet counts (which may require further investigation).

If any results are outside the normal range, your GP will discuss next steps. This may include additional blood tests such as iron studies or a blood film, lifestyle changes, or a referral to a specialist such as a haematologist. All follow-up consultations are also bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients.

What does a full blood count measure?

An FBC measures several distinct components of your blood. Haemoglobin is the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen; low levels are the hallmark of anaemia. The white blood cell count is broken down into subtypes, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, each of which plays a different role in your immune response. Platelets are small cell fragments that help your blood clot, and abnormal levels can indicate a bleeding or clotting disorder.

The test also reports mean corpuscular volume (MCV), which indicates the average size of your red blood cells. A low MCV may suggest iron deficiency, while a high MCV can be associated with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Your GP will interpret these values together rather than in isolation to build a complete clinical picture.

Full blood count as part of a broader health check

An FBC is frequently ordered alongside other pathology tests to give your GP a well-rounded view of your health. For example, your doctor may request a full blood count together with thyroid function tests, liver function, kidney function, or cholesterol levels as part of a general health screen. Combining tests in a single pathology referral means you only need one blood draw at the collection centre.

If you are due for a routine check-up or have not had blood work done recently, a bulk billed telehealth consultation is a convenient way to arrange your pathology referral without visiting a clinic. Your online GP in Australia can order the appropriate tests and review the results with you once they are available.