--- title: CBC with Differential Test type: test id: cbc-diff url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential" price_usd: 21.99 lab_fee_usd: 6 all_in_usd: 27.99 cpt: 85025 category: Blood Health sample: Blood draw fasting_required: false results_in: "1–3 business days" labs: - Quest - Labcorp - BioReference orderable: true reviewed_at: 2026-09-14 order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=cbc-with-differential&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown" --- # CBC with Differential Test > CBC with Differential measures WBC, RBC and Hemoglobin plus 11 more from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $21.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 1–3 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | $21.99 + $6 lab processing fee per order ($27.99 all-in for this test alone) | | CPT code | 85025 | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Labs | Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, BioReference (NY & NJ) | | Biomarkers measured | 14 | | Physician authorization | Included — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed | | Payment | Card, HSA or FSA; cash-pay only (no insurance billing) | ## What does the CBC with Differential test tell you? Complete blood count with white blood cell breakdown — the gold standard for overall blood health screening. The Complete Blood Count with Differential (CBC w/ Diff) is the most commonly ordered blood test. It counts your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and provides a detailed breakdown of the five types of white blood cells. This helps detect infections, anemia, clotting disorders, immune system conditions, and blood cancers. **Clinical use:** Complete Blood Count with Differential evaluates red cells, white cells, and platelets — screening for anemia, infection, and clotting issues. ## Who should order it? Anyone doing an annual checkup, investigating fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising, or unexplained bleeding. Standard in any pre-op workup and monitoring TRT or chemotherapy. ## Biomarkers measured - [WBC](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/white-blood-cell-count) - [RBC](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/red-blood-cell-count) - [Hemoglobin](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hemoglobin) - [Hematocrit](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hematocrit) - [MCV](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/mcv) - [MCH](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/mch) - [MCHC](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/mchc) - [RDW](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/rdw) - [Platelet Count](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/platelet-count) - [Neutrophils](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/neutrophils) - [Lymphocytes](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/lymphocytes) - [Monocytes](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/monocytes) - [Eosinophils](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/eosinophils) - [Basophils](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/basophils) ## Price by lab | Lab | Test price | All-in (with $6 fee) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | $21.99 | $27.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | | Labcorp | $21.99 | $27.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | $18.99 | $24.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically | Rhode Island is not served. Prices are identical online and in the lab; no draw fee or physician fee is added. ## How much does a CBC with Differential test cost? A CBC with Differential test costs $21.99 at TestWell — $27.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Ordered directly from the labs' own consumer sites, the same test lists at $29.00 at Quest Health and $29.00 at Labcorp OnDemand (list prices checked Sep 12, 2026). Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $100.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible. | Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $21.99 | $27.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order | | Quest Health (Quest Diagnostics' own site) | $29.00 | $29.00 | [list price checked 2026-09-12](https://www.questhealth.com/product/complete-blood-count-cbc/6399M.html) | | Labcorp OnDemand (Labcorp's own site) | $29.00 | $29.00 | [list price checked 2026-09-12](https://www.ondemand.labcorp.com/lab-tests/complete-blood-count) | | Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $100.00 | $100.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher | Lab test codes: Quest test code 6399 · Labcorp test no. 005009 · BioReference code 0053-9. ## How do you prepare? No fasting required. No special preparation needed. ## Related conditions - [Iron deficiency anemia](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/anemia) (D50.9) - Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia (D51.0) - Leukocytosis (D72.829) - Thrombocytopenia (D69.6) ## Is the CBC with Differential worth it? > Yes for a broad baseline. A CBC with differential is the most-ordered blood test in medicine - it screens for anemia, infection, and clotting problems at once, and pairs perfectly with a CMP for a complete routine workup. ### Worth it if you… - Anyone getting an annual physical or a general health baseline - Fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath that could be anemia - Frequent or lingering infections, easy bruising, or unusual bleeding - Monitoring while on medications that affect blood counts ### You can probably wait if you… - You only need iron status - a [ferritin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ferritin) test is a more sensitive early marker of iron deficiency - You had a normal CBC recently with no new symptoms ### At home or in the lab? At-home collection is available. A CBC requires a whole-blood venous sample, so it is drawn at Quest or Labcorp, or by an at-home mobile phlebotomist where available - not a fingerstick kit. No fasting needed. ### How do you read the results? | Result | Typical adult range | What an out-of-range value can mean | | --- | --- | --- | | Hemoglobin | 13.5-17.5 (men) / 12.0-15.5 (women) g/dL | Low hemoglobin defines anemia; high can reflect dehydration or, less often, a marrow condition. | | White blood cells (WBC) | 4.5-11.0 x10^9/L | High often signals infection or inflammation; low can point to viral illness or marrow/immune issues. | | Platelets | 150-450 x10^9/L | Low raises bleeding risk; high can accompany inflammation or clotting tendencies. | | Neutrophils | ~40-70% (1.8-7.7 x10^9/L) | The bacteria-fighters. High with bacterial infections, inflammation, steroids, or stress; low (neutropenia) after viral illness, some medications, or chemotherapy — below ~1.0 warrants prompt medical follow-up. | | Lymphocytes | ~20-40% (1.0-4.8 x10^9/L) | The virus-fighters. High with viral infections (mono, CMV) and some chronic leukemias; persistently low can accompany steroids, autoimmune disease, or immune suppression. | | Monocytes | ~2-8% | Cleanup cells. Mildly high during recovery from infection or with chronic inflammation; persistent unexplained elevation deserves a repeat test. | | Eosinophils | ~1-4% | Allergy and parasite responders. High with allergies, asthma, eczema, drug reactions, or parasitic infection. | | Basophils | ~0-1% | The rarest type. Usually only meaningful when persistently elevated, which can accompany allergic states or certain marrow conditions. | | Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte pattern | Interpreted together | Neutrophil-heavy shifts suggest bacterial infection or physiologic stress; lymphocyte-heavy shifts point viral. This pattern reading is exactly why the differential version is worth the extra few dollars over a basic CBC. | _This section medically reviewed; last reviewed 2026-07-18._ ## Common questions about the CBC with Differential test ### What does the 'Differential' add to a CBC? The differential breaks white blood cells into 5 subtypes (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils). The pattern helps distinguish bacterial vs viral infection, allergic response, or hematologic disease — clinical info a CBC without differential can't provide. ### What's the difference between a CBC and CBC with Differential? Plain CBC gives total WBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, MCV, MCH. CBC with Differential adds the 5-part WBC breakdown. Most modern labs auto-run the differential, so it's the default test ordered. ### Do I need to fast for a CBC? No fasting required. CBC is one of the few labs you can draw at any time of day after eating. Most people fast anyway because they're bundling it with a [CMP](https://www.test-well.com/tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel) or [lipid panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/lipid-panel) (which do require fasting). ### How much does a CBC with Differential cost? On TestWell, CBC with Differential is $21.99 — no insurance needed. Quest Direct lists the same test at $25, and walk-in hospital labs typically bill $80-100 without insurance. Same CLIA-certified labs, same biomarkers — TestWell just removes the markup. ### What is the CPT code for a CBC with Differential? The CPT code for CBC with automated differential is 85025. CBC without differential is 85027. Cash-pay patients don't need a CPT code to order through TestWell. ### What does low hemoglobin mean? It usually indicates anemia — most commonly from iron deficiency (especially in menstruating women), but can also stem from B12/folate deficiency, chronic inflammation, or blood loss. The MCV (mean corpuscular volume) helps narrow the cause: low MCV suggests iron deficiency, high MCV suggests B12/folate deficiency. ### What does an elevated white blood cell count mean? Most often a bacterial infection (especially if neutrophils are elevated). Viral infections typically raise lymphocytes. Allergies and parasites raise eosinophils. Chronically elevated WBC without obvious cause warrants further workup. ### How often should I get a CBC? Annually as part of a routine checkup. Every 3-6 months if you're on TRT, chemotherapy, or medications known to suppress bone marrow. Anytime you're investigating unexplained fatigue, fever, or bruising. ### What is the difference between a CBC and a CBC with differential? A basic CBC counts red cells, white cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. The 'with differential' version also breaks white cells into their five types (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils), which helps tell infection types apart and flags some blood conditions. The [basic CBC](https://www.test-well.com/tests/complete-blood-count) is cheaper if you do not need the breakdown. ### What does high neutrophils with low lymphocytes mean? That pattern (a 'left shift' toward neutrophils) most often reflects a bacterial infection, acute inflammation, or physical stress — even a hard workout or steroid dose can produce it. The reverse pattern (low neutrophils, high lymphocytes) leans viral. Neither is a diagnosis by itself; it is a directional clue your provider reads alongside symptoms. ### Can a CBC with differential detect leukemia? It is usually the first test that raises the question — very high or very low white counts, blasts noted on the report, or unexplained combinations of anemia and low platelets can prompt a hematology referral. But a CBC alone cannot confirm or rule out leukemia; that requires follow-up testing (peripheral smear, sometimes marrow biopsy). If your counts are normal, leukemia is very unlikely to be the explanation for your symptoms. ### Should I get a CBC or a ferritin test for suspected iron deficiency? Both have a role. A CBC shows whether anemia is already present, but [ferritin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ferritin) drops first and catches iron deficiency before the CBC changes. If fatigue and low iron are the concern, ferritin (often with [iron and TIBC](https://www.test-well.com/tests/iron-and-tibc)) is the more sensitive early test. ## How to order 1. Add to cart: https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=cbc-with-differential&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown 2. Create an account or sign in, confirm your state and preferred lab, pay by card, HSA or FSA. 3. A licensed physician authorizes the order (usually within minutes); the requisition arrives by email. 4. Walk into any Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, BioReference (NY & NJ) patient service center — no appointment needed at most sites. 5. Results post to your TestWell portal in 1–3 business days with reference ranges and flags. ## Related - [CBC With Differential Explained: What Each Value Means and How to Read Your Results](https://www.test-well.com/guides/cbc-with-differential-explained) - [How to Read Your Blood Test Results](https://www.test-well.com/guides/how-to-read-your-blood-test-results) - [Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) and B12 Deficiency: Why the Test Is Ordered and How to Read It](https://www.test-well.com/guides/methylmalonic-acid-b12-deficiency) - [Fatty Liver Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/fatty-liver-panel) — 6 tests · $92.99 - [General Wellness Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/general-wellness-panel) — 4 tests · $49.99 - [Blood Clotting Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/blood-clotting-panel) — 4 tests · $149.99 - [D-Dimer](https://www.test-well.com/tests/d-dimer) — $69.99 - [Factor V Leiden Mutation](https://www.test-well.com/tests/factor-v-leiden) — $131.99 - [Haptoglobin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/haptoglobin-test) — $101.99 - [Immature Red Blood Cell Test](https://www.test-well.com/tests/reticulocyte-count) — $19.99 - [PT and PTT (Prothrombin & Partial Thromboplastin Time)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/pt-and-ptt) — $54.99 - [All Blood Health tests](https://www.test-well.com/tests/category/blood-health) - [Full test directory](https://www.test-well.com/tests/directory) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-14. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.