Where can I get a CBC, CRP or infection blood test in Vasco?

Medically reviewed by our consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (MBBS, MS OBG). Last reviewed: 2 November 2026.

What does a complete blood count (CBC) show?

A complete blood count, often written as CBC, is one of the most common blood tests. It is done in-house at the Pai Hospital Laboratory on an automated analyser, from a small sample of blood taken from a vein in the arm. It looks at three groups of cells:

• Haemoglobin and red cells. Haemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood. A low haemoglobin is called anaemia. The report also describes the size of the red cells, which helps the doctor think about the cause.
• White cells (WBC). White cells fight infection. The total count and the share of each type of white cell (the differential count) can change with infection, inflammation and some medicines.
• Platelets. Platelets help the blood to clot. The count can fall in some viral fevers and some other illnesses.

A blood count on its own does not give a diagnosis. The doctor reads it together with your symptoms, your examination and your other results.

What is a CRP test?

CRP stands for C-reactive protein. The liver makes more of it when there is inflammation or infection anywhere in the body. CRP does not tell where the problem is or what is causing it. It tells the doctor that inflammation is present and, when the test is repeated, whether it is settling or rising. This is why the doctor may ask for CRP again after a day or two of treatment.

What is procalcitonin, and when is it ordered?

Procalcitonin is a blood marker that rises mainly with bacterial infection, and usually much less with viral infection. The doctor may order it when a patient has a high fever, looks unwell, or is admitted with a suspected serious infection. Together with the blood count, CRP and the examination, it helps the doctor judge how serious an infection is and decide about antibiotics. Procalcitonin is done in-house and can be run as an urgent test at any hour.

Why is ferritin part of the inflammation profile?

Ferritin shows the iron stores in the body, so it is often checked when haemoglobin is low. Ferritin also rises when there is inflammation or infection. A ferritin result is therefore read together with the blood count and CRP: a normal ferritin during an infection does not always mean the iron stores are full. The blood count, CRP, procalcitonin and ferritin together make up the inflammation profile at the laboratory, and all four are done in-house.

Can I get these tests urgently at night?

Yes. The laboratory is open 24 hours, every day, and the blood count, CRP, procalcitonin and ferritin can be run as urgent tests at any hour. Urgent samples are taken up first. They are used for:

• Patients who come to the hospital with a high fever or an emergency, at any hour.
• Women in labour and mothers in the maternity ward. See maternity and delivery.
• Patients being prepared for surgery, and patients after surgery.
• Admitted patients whose doctor wants a result before the next decision.

Before you come as an outpatient, call or WhatsApp the laboratory to check a test or ask about preparation. If someone is very unwell, do not wait for a test: come to the hospital.

Why does the doctor repeat the blood count during a fever?

In many fevers, the platelet count and the white cell count change from day to day. One report shows only that moment. A repeat count over the next days shows the trend, which tells the doctor more than a single number. This is why you may be asked to give a blood sample more than once during the same fever, sometimes every day.

Dengue tests are available at the laboratory; some are sent to a partner laboratory and take longer. Your doctor decides which fever tests are needed and when, because some tests are useful only on certain days of the illness.

During any fever, come to the hospital without delay, at any hour, if there is bleeding from the gums or nose, black stools, severe pain in the abdomen, repeated vomiting, unusual drowsiness or confusion, cold hands and feet, or very little urine.

Why are the blood count and CRP checked after surgery?

After an operation, the doctor may check the haemoglobin to see how much blood was lost and whether it is recovering. CRP normally rises for a short time after any operation, because surgery itself causes inflammation; the doctor watches whether it then settles. A CRP that keeps rising, with fever or pain, can point to an infection, and the doctor examines the patient and may order a culture. Read more about recovery after keyhole surgery.

What does a low haemoglobin on my blood count mean?

A low haemoglobin is called anaemia, and it is common in women. Heavy or long periods, pregnancy and breastfeeding, a diet low in iron, and some long-standing illnesses can all lower haemoglobin. Tiredness, breathlessness on climbing stairs, a fast heartbeat, pale skin, and hair fall can be signs, but some women with anaemia have no symptoms at all.

A complete blood count shows the haemoglobin and the size of the red cells, which helps the doctor think about the cause. The doctor may then add other tests to find the cause. Finding the cause matters as much as the number, so please do not start iron or other tablets on your own. If your periods are heavy, read about heavy and abnormal uterine bleeding. Haemoglobin is also checked during pregnancy; see the first antenatal visit.

Do I need to fast for a CBC or CRP?

No. A complete blood count, CRP, procalcitonin and ferritin can usually be done at any time of day, after a normal meal. If a fasting test, such as a fasting blood sugar or a lipid profile, is ordered along with them, it is simplest to give all the samples together on an empty stomach. Keep taking your regular medicines unless the doctor says otherwise, and tell the laboratory staff about any antibiotics you have already started. For details, see blood test preparation and reports.

How soon are the reports ready?

Most routine reports, including the blood count and CRP, are usually ready within hours. Urgent samples from emergencies, deliveries and admitted patients are taken up first. Cultures with antibiotic sensitivity, for urine and other samples, are also done in-house, but take longer, usually a few days, because the bacteria need time to grow. Specialised tests that are sent to a partner laboratory take longer; the laboratory will tell you when to expect them.

How does the laboratory check its results?

The blood count and the inflammation markers run on automated analysers. Every day, before patient reports are released, the laboratory runs quality-control samples with known values to check that each analyser is reading correctly. Patient reports are released only after these checks are run.

Who explains my report?

Your treating doctor. The ranges are printed on your report, beside each value. A value slightly outside the range is not always a problem, and a value inside it does not always mean all is well, so the doctor reads the report with your symptoms and examination. Please do not start or stop antibiotics or any other medicine based on the report alone.

Where is the laboratory?

The laboratory is on the ground floor, inside Pai Hospital, Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama. For every test the laboratory does, see the Pai Hospital Laboratory in Vasco. Directions are on our contact page. Written and reviewed by the Pai Hospital Team.

Related: vitamin D, B12 and iron tests.

Or call +91 77989 73345

This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.