What does a CBC (Complete Blood Count) assess?

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a comprehensive blood test that evaluates several components of blood to provide critical information about a person's overall health and help diagnose various conditions. The CBC primarily assesses the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, along with metrics such as hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit percentage. Additionally, it provides a white blood cell differential, which indicates the different types of leukocytes present.

This assessment is valuable for determining various health conditions, including anemia, infection, inflammation, and many other hematologic disorders. It does not focus solely on one aspect of blood composition, such as hemoglobin levels, nor does it assess blood glucose levels or liver function directly, as these would require different tests for accurate evaluation. Therefore, the choice indicating a basic assessment that includes both hematocrit and leukocytes encapsulates the broader scope of what a CBC evaluates.