Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) measures red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and related values. It helps detect conditions like anemia and infections (MedlinePlus). It is a general health test often included in a baseline workup, and it usually needs no fasting. Cash prices ran $28 to $44 as of September 23, 2026.
What does a CBC measure?
MedlinePlus lists these parts of a CBC (MedlinePlus):
- Red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the body
- White blood cells, which fight infection
- Platelets, which help blood clot
- Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells
- Hematocrit, the share of blood made up of red blood cells
- Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), the average size of red blood cells
A CBC “with differential” also breaks the white blood cell count into types.
Why is a CBC commonly ordered before a GLP-1?
A CBC is not tied to a specific GLP-1 warning. It shows up because it is a standard part of a general medical evaluation:
- The ADA lists a CBC with platelets in the initial and annual evaluation for people with diabetes (ADA Standards of Care 2026, Section 4, Table 4.1).
- A clinical review on evaluating adults with obesity lists a full blood count among standard blood tests (Dobbie et al., 2023).
How do I prepare for a CBC?
Usually no special preparation is needed. If other tests are drawn from the same sample, you may need to fast (MedlinePlus).
How much does a CBC cost without insurance?
| Where | Test price | Required fee | Total | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-In Lab | $27 | $6 | $33 | View at Walk-In Lab |
| Personalabs | $44 | None listed | $44 | View at Personalabs |
| HealthLabs.com | $28 | None listed | $28 | View at HealthLabs.com |
| Private MD Labs | $31 | None listed | $31 | View at Private MD Labs |
| Quest (questhealth.com) | $26.10 | $6 | $32.10 | View at Quest (questhealth.com) |
Prices last checked September 23, 2026 on each company's own website. Prices change often, and sales come and go, so confirm the price at checkout. Totals add one required fee per order. Not checked: Labcorp OnDemand (site unavailable on the check date).
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to fast for a CBC?
- A CBC on its own usually needs little or no preparation. MedlinePlus notes you may need to fast if other tests are drawn from the same sample.
- What is a CBC with differential?
- A differential breaks the white blood cell count into its different types. Most online providers sell the CBC with differential and platelets as their standard CBC.
- How much does a CBC cost without insurance?
- Across the online providers we checked, a CBC cost between $28 and $44 including any required fee. See the dated price table on this page.
Sources
- Complete Blood Count (CBC). MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Checked September 23, 2026.
- 4. Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026 (Table 4.1). American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care 2026;49(Suppl 1):S61 to S88. Checked September 23, 2026.
- Clinical evaluation of patients living with obesity (Dobbie LJ, Coelho C, Crane J, McGowan B). Internal and Emergency Medicine, 2023. Checked September 23, 2026.