TL;DR
- The price of a stand-alone full blood count test at W Gynae Women’s Clinic is $15.
- It’s typically done to check symptoms such as fatigue, fever, infection, or bleeding disorders, and to monitor how well other treatments are working.
- The test is also included in most of our health screening packages.
A blood test is an effective way to monitor your overall health. It helps detect early signs of illness and track existing conditions. In Singapore, blood tests are offered at both public and private healthcare facilities, with prices varying depending on whether you’re doing a basic blood test or a full blood count.
Below, we explain what a full blood count test measures, how it differs from a basic blood test, who might need one, and how prices compare across public and private hospitals.
What Is a Full Blood Test?
A Full Blood Count (FBC), also known as a Complete Blood Count (CBC), provides an overview of your general health by analysing the main components of your blood: red and white blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and platelets. More on these below.
This is often included in a health screening package, used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, from infections and inflammation to anaemia or immune disorders.
Because an FBC/CBC test measures how your blood cells are functioning, it can also help monitor ongoing treatments or track your recovery.
How Is It Different From a Routine Blood Test?
A routine blood test usually refers to a panel of different investigations, including tests for liver and kidney function, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and thyroid hormones.
In contrast, an FBC/CBC test focuses solely on your blood cells and their ratios, providing insight into oxygen transport, infection risk, and clotting ability.
While both are valuable screening tools, they serve slightly different purposes: a routine blood test offers a broader picture of your body’s organ function, whereas an FBC/CBC provides a closer look at what’s happening inside your blood.
FBC/CBC vs Routine Blood Test
Factor | Full Blood Count (FBC / CBC) | Routine Blood Test / Health Screening Panel |
Purpose | Evaluates red and white blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and platelets. | Evaluates overall body function, including organ health and metabolic balance. |
Main Focus | Blood cell health, oxygen transport, immune response, and clotting. | Liver and kidney function, cholesterol, glucose, thyroid levels, and sometimes blood count. |
Typical Use | To investigate symptoms like fatigue, fever, infection, or bleeding disorders; also for monitoring treatment progress. | For general health screening, chronic disease monitoring, or pre-employment and insurance checks. |
Sample Required | One vial of blood drawn from a vein. | Usually, multiple vials to test across different panels. |
Turnaround Time | One to two working days. | Two to give working days, depending on the number of tests. |
Included In | Often part of basic or comprehensive health screening packages. | Usually includes an FBC as one of several components. |
Public vs Private Hospitals
In Singapore, an FBC/CBC test is available at a public hospital and private clinic, but the cost, turnaround time, and convenience can vary widely.
Comparing FBC Test Costs at Public and Private Hospitals
Where you choose to get tested often depends on how urgently you need results, whether you’re already seeing a doctor at a hospital or polyclinic, and whether you’d prefer to combine the test with a broader health screening package.
At W Gynae Women’s Clinic, the price of a stand-alone FBC/CBC test is $15. It’s also part of several health screening packages:
- General Health Screening ($178): A baseline check for overall wellness, covering blood count, cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid, liver and kidney function, infection markers, and basic cancer screens.
- Lady’s Premier Health ($468): A comprehensive women’s wellness package that includes blood, hormone, and autoimmune tests, cancer markers, Pap smear with HPV DNA testing, pelvic ultrasound, and an optional mammogram for women over 40.
- Pre-Marital / Pre-Pregnancy Health (From $428): Designed for women planning pregnancy, with tests for blood count, thalassaemia, immunity, thyroid and diabetes status, hepatitis, and reproductive health markers.
- STI Screen (From $468): A detailed screen for sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis, HIV, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and vaginal DNA probe testing, with an optional Pap smear and HPV DNA test.
Contact us here to schedule a stand-alone FBC/CBC test at W Gynae.
Other Key Differences
Aspect | Public Hospitals | Private Hospitals |
Appointment Access | Requires booking in advance. longer waiting times during peak hours. | Flexible scheduling and shorter waiting periods. |
Consultation Time | Usually brief, focused on immediate clinical concerns. | Longer consultations with more time for discussion. |
Comprehensiveness | Often limited to the FBC unless additional tests are indicated. | Can be bundled into full-body or executive health screening packages. |
Results Access | Usually collected via HealthHub or in person. | Sent directly via email or patient portal, often with the doctor’s comments. |
Is an FBC Test Covered by CHAS or MediSave?
In most cases, an FBC/CBC test, on its own, is not claimable under MediSave or CHAS. These schemes typically subsidise consultations and treatment for specific chronic conditions or screenings, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or colorectal cancer, not general diagnostic tests.
However, there are exceptions. If your FBC/CBC test is ordered as part of a diagnosis or ongoing management of a chronic condition, it may be included under your subsidised care at a polyclinic or hospital.
For private clinics, most standalone FBC/CBC tests are considered out-of-pocket expenses, though they may be bundled into corporate or insurance-covered health screenings depending on your plan.
Contact us to check if it’s covered under your health plan, or get a personalised quote before your visit.
What’s Included in a Full Blood Count Test
An FB/CBC test measures several key components that reflect how well your body is functioning.
Component | What It Measures | What It Can Indicate |
Red Blood Cells (RBC) | The number of red blood cells carrying oxygen throughout your body. | Low levels may point to anaemia. High levels may suggest dehydration or certain blood disorders. |
Haemoglobin (Hb) | The protein in red blood cells that binds and carries oxygen. | A low haemoglobin level often causes fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath. |
Haematocrit (HCT) | The proportion of red blood cells compared to total blood volume. | Helps confirm anaemia or dehydration. |
White Blood Cells (WBC) | Cells that fight infection and support immune function. | Elevated counts may indicate infection or inflammation. Low counts can suggest immune suppression. |
Platelets | Cell fragments that help blood to clot. | Abnormal levels may signal bleeding disorders, inflammation, or bone marrow conditions. |
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) | The average size of your red blood cells. | Helps determine the type of anaemia, like iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency. |
Who Should Get an FBC Test and Why
An FBC/CBC test is a common first-line investigation that’s useful for almost everyone at some point, whether as part of a routine health screening or to explore specific symptoms such as persistent tiredness, dizziness, or unexplained bruising.
You may consider getting an FBC/CBC test if you:
- Feel unusually weak or fatigued.
- Experience frequent infections.
- Have unexplained bleeding or bruising.
- Are undergoing treatment that can affect blood cells (such as chemotherapy or certain medications).
- Have a known chronic condition like kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, or thyroid imbalance.
When Should You Get It?
We often recommend adults over 30 to get an FBC/CBC test once or twice a year, especially if they regularly smoke or drink alcohol, or suffer from chronic stress.
What to Expect During and After the Test
An FBC/CBC test is a straightforward procedure that takes only a few minutes:
- We clean the skin on your arm with an antiseptic wipe.
- Then a fine needle is inserted into a vein to draw a small sample of blood.
- We apply gentle pressure or a small plaster to the puncture site.
You might feel a brief sting, but the discomfort typically subsides within seconds. After the test, you can return to your normal routine right away. Some people experience minor bruising, though this is rare, and if it does appear, the bruise fades within a few days.
Results are usually available within one to two working days, and we’ll review them with you to explain what each value means in your context.
What to Do if Results Are Abnormal?
Abnormal FBC/CBC test results don’t always mean something serious. In many cases, small variations fall within normal biological limits or reflect temporary factors like stress, mild infection, or dehydration.
If the result of your FBC/CBC test is significantly outside the reference range, your doctor may:
- Repeat the test to confirm the finding.
- Order additional blood tests, such as iron studies, vitamin levels, or thyroid function tests.
- Refer you to a specialist for further evaluation if needed.
Book a Full Blood Count Test At W Gynae Today
An FBC/CBC test offers valuable insight into your health. If you’re planning a routine screen or wish to check specific concerns, our team can guide you to the right package and next steps.