What does "CBC" stand for and what does it measure?

CBC stands for complete blood count, the most commonly ordered blood test. It measures red blood cell count and hemoglobin indicating oxygen-carrying capacity, hematocrit indicating the percentage of blood volume occupied by red cells, white blood cell count indicating immune function and infection, white blood cell differential breaking down the types of white cells, and platelet count indicating clotting ability. Abnormal results help diagnose anemia, infection, inflammation, bleeding disorders, and blood cancers.