A complete blood count, or CBC, is a common blood test used to evaluate overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection, and certain cancers. It measures different components of the blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The test is designed to provide a general overview of a patient’s blood cell composition and is not typically used for detecting specific substances like drugs or medications.
The importance of the CBC lies in its ability to provide valuable information about a patient’s health status. For example, abnormal white blood cell counts can indicate an infection, while low red blood cell counts may suggest anemia. The test has been a staple in medical diagnostics for decades, offering a quick and relatively inexpensive way to assess a patient’s overall health. However, its utility is limited to identifying cellular abnormalities and cannot be used to identify the presence of specific compounds.
