Types of Blood Tests: The Complete Landscape
Content last reviewed 2026-09-12 · Educational information — not medical advice
Quick answer
Blood tests sort into seven functional families: cell counts (CBC), chemistry/metabolic panels, lipids, hormones, immunity/infection serology, specialized proteins/markers, and coagulation studies — with hundreds of individual analytes across them.
Cell-count family
CBC with differential measures red cells, white cells (five sub-types), platelets, and their indices — the workhorse for fatigue, infection, and bleeding questions.
Chemistry & metabolic family
BMP/CMP cover electrolytes, kidney function, glucose, calcium, liver enzymes, and proteins. Individual analytes (creatinine, ALT, bilirubin) extend the picture when specific organ questions arise.
Lipid & cardiovascular family
Lipid panels quantify cholesterol transport (LDL/HDL/triglycerides); hs-CRP and lipoprotein(a) refine risk; troponin detects injury.
Hormone family
Thyroid (TSH, Free T4/T3), reproductive (testosterone, estradiol, FSH/LH, hCG), adrenal (cortisol), metabolic (insulin) — timing-sensitive group requiring protocol-aware collection.
Immunity & infection family
Serology (IgG/IgM antibodies — titers, Lyme, viral panels), molecular (NAAT for chlamydia/gonorrhea), cultures. Immunity titers prove vaccination response for compliance files.
Specialized proteins & markers
Iron studies (ferritin, iron/TIBC), vitamins, tumor markers (PSA, CA-125), autoantibodies (ANA, rheumatoid factor), genetic/carrier tests.
Coagulation family
PT/INR, aPTT, D-dimer, fibrinogen — clotting-speed measurements guiding anticoagulation and bleeding workups.
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Frequently asked questions
Which single test gives the most information?
For general health snapshotting, the CMP + CBC pairing covers sugar regulation, organs, electrolytes, and cellular health in two tubes — the sensible annual baseline.