Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel vs Complete Blood Count Labs

Author(s):

Saro Arakelians, PharmD

Physicians may ask for either or both of comprehensive metabolic panel or complete blood count tests every 3 to 6 months, based on the conditions patients have.

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel vs Complete Blood Count Labs

Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC lab helps your health professional diagnose conditions such as infection, anemia, and several other disorders.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14): With eGFR is a group of 14 laboratory tests ordered to give information about the status of the liver, kidneys, and electrolyte and acid/base balance.

Explanation:

CBC gives important information about the numbers and kinds of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
CMP-14 tests give the status of blood sugar and blood proteins. Physicians may ask for one or both of these tests every 3 to 6 months, based on the disease conditions the patient may have.

Reference

Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) Blood Test Panel | Walk-In Lab (walkinlab.com)