human
I'm a little confused about the different types of blood tests that are available. Which ones are most useful?
assistant
The most common type of blood test is a complete blood count (CBC). This test measures the number and size of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It can also measure your hemoglobin level, which tells you how much oxygen-carrying capacity your blood has. Other blood tests include a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), which looks at a variety of chemical levels in your blood; an electrolyte panel, which checks for certain minerals such as potassium and sodium; and a lipid panel, which measures your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.