> There are too many variables at play, and numbers can change between morning and afternoon even on the same day depending on the test.

Respectfully, you are making a broad, inaccurate statement and assumedly without a medical background.

While it's true that some numbers can change even on the same day (Gassée specifically mentioned glucose as an example of a lab value that can fluctuate quite a bit), the concentration of red blood cells and platelets is not affected by what you had for lunch and definitely should not vary this much. Keep in mind that the difference Gassée saw was was almost enough to trigger unnecessary therapeutic phlebotomy.