What type of test is a CBC (Complete Blood Count)?

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a hematological test, which specifically focuses on evaluating the components of blood. This includes the measurement of various cell types, such as red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets, along with parameters that assess hemoglobin levels and hematocrit percentages.

The CBC provides critical information about a person's overall health and can help in diagnosing conditions such as anemia, infections, and various other hematological disorders.

In contrast, biochemical tests typically assess the chemical components in the blood, microbiological tests focus on identifying pathogens within specimens, and serological tests are designed to detect antibodies or antigens in the serum. Each of these other categories serves distinct purposes and uses different methodologies, setting them apart from the objectives of a CBC, which is primarily concerned with blood cell analysis.