Is Your Kid Low on Red Blood Cells or Just Low on Snacks?
Why Routine Blood Work Is a Smart (and Super Affordable) Choice
As parents, we’re used to deciphering strange behavior from our kids. Are they tired—or just trying to get out of math homework? Pale because they’re low on iron—or because they haven’t seen the sun since Minecraft came out? Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s just a growth spurt or something deeper happening in the body.
That’s where routine blood work comes in—specifically, a Complete Blood Count with Differential (CBC) and a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP). These two simple tests can offer a surprising amount of insight into your child’s health, growth, and well-being—and here at Harding Holistics, we can run both for around $25. Seriously.
Let’s break it down (without breaking the bank).
What’s a CBC with Differential?
A Complete Blood Count with Differential checks the levels of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. Basically, it's a microscopic roll call to see how your child’s immune system and oxygen transport are doing.
Why it matters:
Low red blood cells? That could be anemia.
High white cells? Could be fighting an infection—or inflamed from food, stress, or immune imbalance.
Low platelets? Time to dig deeper into clotting and healing function.
And the "differential" part? That’s the nerdy bonus round where we see the types of white blood cells—helping us figure out if your child’s body is fighting off a virus, bacteria, or just tired from too many late-night sleepovers.
What’s a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)?
Think of this as your child’s internal dashboard—checking electrolytes, liver and kidney function, blood sugar, calcium levels, and more. It's like popping the hood of a car, except way cuter and with less grease.
Why it matters:
Elevated liver enzymes? Time to look at toxins, medications, or even gut health.
Electrolyte imbalances? Could explain fatigue, mood changes, or leg cramps.
High or low blood sugar? Early insight into metabolic health.
Basically, it tells us if everything’s running smoothly—or if something needs a little tuning up.
Why Bother? Aren’t Kids Supposed to Be Healthy?
Yes, kids are resilient, energetic, and covered in dirt most of the time—but even the healthiest child can benefit from a check-in. Subtle imbalances don’t always show symptoms until they’ve been simmering a while. Blood work helps us seethings before they become a big deal.
And no—we’re not here to chase numbers or scare anyone. We use blood work to empower parents and support real, holistic care. It’s not about diagnosing disease; it’s about optimizing your child’s foundation for growth, focus, sleep, mood, and immune strength.
But Isn’t Blood Work Expensive?
At Harding Holistics? Not on our watch.
We’ve partnered with trusted labs to keep this accessible for families. A CBC and CMP together run around $25 when ordered through Dr. John. That’s less than a family pizza night—and way better for long-term health.
(Though we’re not knocking pizza. Just... maybe add a salad.)
From Our Family to Yours
We love supporting healthy kids and empowered parents. Whether your child’s bouncing off the walls or curled up on the couch, we believe in giving you the tools and insights you need to raise them strong.
And don’t worry—we’ll make it as easy and gentle as possible. We write up a lab requisition and you go to LabCorp for the blood draw. Just a quick lab draw, a deeper look at the data, and a plan that makes sense.
Let’s keep your child thriving—from the inside out.
Want to get your child’s blood work done?
Give us a call or stop by the office. We’ll make it simple, helpful, and even (dare we say?) fun.
Yours in health,
Dr. John
Harding Holistics
