CBC

A single CBC can surface clues toward a wide range of conditions, which is part of why it remains such a cornerstone test:

• Iron-deficiency and other forms of anemia
• Bacterial or viral infections (typically shown by a raised white cell count)
• Blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma
• Clotting and bleeding disorders linked to low platelet counts
• Bone marrow disorders that affect cell production
• Dehydration, reflected in an elevated hematocrit

A CBC rarely gives a final diagnosis on its own — an abnormal result is usually the starting point for further, more targeted testing.