4 Blood Tests You Should Take to Protect Your Health
Blood testing presents essential information about diseases and your risks of developing specific ones. Evaluating blood samples can detect changes in the blood components and identify critical imbalances in the chemicals produced by organs. Knowing these alterations can save you from worsening conditions. Regular testing is a preventive measure that allows the detection of certain diseases before they escalate into a life-threatening condition.
Below are 4 blood tests you should take to protect your health.
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count is ordered to check if there have been any changes in the blood count. It measures the number of blood components and determines if they fall in the normal range.
The test involves the three basic types of blood cells:
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
The function of the red blood cells is to deliver oxygen to the body’s different cells and collect carbon dioxide for removal.
In a CBC, two components of the RBC are measured: hemoglobin and hematocrit.
Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen. On the other hand, hematocrit is the ratio of the RBCs in the blood.
White Blood Cells
White blood cells are responsible for fighting off disease-causing microorganisms and proteins. In a CBC, the number of WBCs is measured, and the types are identified.
Platelets
When you have a wound or any tear in the skin, blood clotting is necessary to stop the bleeding. Blood clotting, also known as coagulation, is a function performed by the platelets.
What is it for?
A CBC is a standard inclusion in a routine clinical exam. As a general screening procedure, it is often used to assess your overall wellbeing and provide baseline information about your health.
Additionally, it is ordered to diagnose a spectrum of health issues. It is also involved in monitoring an already diagnosed condition and corresponding treatment.
What the results may indicate?
The results of a CBC can be suggestive of a developing disease. However, since it is relatively wide-ranging, it may not be enough to diagnose a specific condition.
Nonetheless, for other health problems directly involving blood health, a CBC may be enough to assign treatment.
Here are some disorders and health conditions uncovered through CBC.
Anemia
Leukemia
Infections
Bone Marrow Disorders
Dehydration
Inflammation
Lymphoma
Nutritional Deficiencies
2. Lipid Panel
With a lipid panel, you can measure the level of lipids in your blood. Lipids are organic molecules that do not interact with water like oils, fats, hormones, and steroids.
But with a lipid panel, the tests are limited to the following:
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is often referred to as the “good cholesterol” primarily because it functions to remove excess fats from the blood and takes them back to the liver for disposal.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
LDL is dubbed as the “bad cholesterol.” When LDL there is too much LDL in the blood, it can accumulate in the walls of the blood vessels. This build-up can constrict the passageway of the blood.
Total cholesterol
Talking about total cholesterol refers to all types of cholesterol, whether it’s LDL, HDL, or other lipids.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fats coming from the food we eat. They are derived from excess calories that your body does not need. Thereby, they usually accumulate for storage in case you run short of energy sources.
What is it for?
A Lipid panel is recommended for adults over 20, especially those who have a family history of cardiovascular diseases. It is ideal to take blood tests at least once every one or two years.
Children and teenagers can also take lipid blood tests, especially those who suffer from obesity.
What the results may indicate?
With adults, the following lipid blood tests results are considered within the normal range:
HDL – more than 40 to 60 mg/dL
LDL – 70 to 130 mg/dL
Total cholesterol – less than 200 mg/dL
Triglycerides – 10 to 150 mg/dL
For HDL, the higher the number, the better. It means that you have much good cholesterol that can aid in managing the damaging lipids.
On the other hand, it would be ideal if LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides are in even lower amounts.
Results that go outside the standard range can be suggestive of high risks or developing disorders like the following:
Atherosclerosis
Coronary heart disease
Peripheral artery disease
High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Stroke
3. Basic Metabolic Panel
The basic metabolic panel (BMP) contains eight blood tests that measure the state of your metabolism. In turn, it evaluates the function of vital organs like the kidneys and pancreas.
Here are the tests included in BMP.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
This is the accumulated waste product from the blood filtered by the kidneys. High amounts of BUN may indicate kidney problems.
Bicarbonate or CO2
Bicarbonate keeps the acid-base balance in the body. Therefore, healthy levels of bicarbonate or CO2 imply health functions of the lungs and kidneys.
Calcium
Calcium is an essential mineral that plays vital roles in bone and teeth formation, blood clotting, proper functioning of the nerves, heart, muscles, and hormone production. Therefore, inadequate calcium may indicate issues in the bone, kidneys, and parathyroid glands.
Creatinine
Creatinine is another waste product filtered by the kidneys. It is produced in the muscles. Much like BUN, increased levels of creatinine may suggest abnormal functions of the kidneys.
Chloride
Chloride is an electrolyte that helps normalize the amount of fluid and maintains the pH balance in the body.
Glucose
Glucose is a type of carbohydrate that acts as the primary source of energy for the cells. Too much or too little glucose in the blood disrupts multiple functions that could lead to life-long diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Potassium
Potassium plays a role in the exchange of messages between the nerve and the muscles. It also helps cells absorb more nutrients and expel waste products.
Sodium
Sodium works to keep the balance between water and electrolytes in the body. It is also vital in the functions of the nerves and muscles.
What is it for?
BMP is a regular part of a routine health examination. It is also used to monitor several health conditions and treatment processes.
What the results may indicate?
Abnormal results of the BMP may indicate the development or risks for diseases like:
Type 2 diabetes
Lung problems
Metabolic problems
Hormonal issues
Addison’s disease
Cushing’s syndrome
Nutritional deficiencies
4. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
A comprehensive metabolic panel encompasses the eight blood tests in the BMP with six more tests.
All in all, CMP contains 14 tests which include tests for these substances:
Albumin
Albumin is a protein produced by the liver. It functions to keep fluid intact in the bloodstream allowing the delivery of substances like enzymes and hormones to various tissues. Low albumin suggests problems in the liver or kidneys.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, SGPT)
This is an enzyme commonly found in the liver and kidney. Therefore, an elevated ALT may indicate liver damage.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
ALP is another enzyme found in the liver as well as the bones and the digestive organs. High levels of ALP may suggest bone disorders or liver disease. Like other enzymes, ALP will leak into the bloodstream when there is critical damage to the liver.
Aspartate amino transferase (AST, SGOT)
AST is also an enzyme produced in the liver and heart. Therefore, when there are damages in the muscles or liver, a large amount of AST is released into the bloodstream.
Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment created during the normal breakdown of the heme component of hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is the protein carrying oxygen in RBCs. Exceeding levels of bilirubin may indicate liver or bile duct problems.
Total Protein
When talking about total protein, it encompasses albumin and other types of proteins in the blood. Protein is a macromolecule that has significant roles in cellular growth, repair, and other fundamental processes.
What is it for?
Like BMP, CMP is usually ordered during a routine medical examination. In the same way, it is used to diagnose metabolic conditions, particularly problems in the liver. Moreover, it is also used to monitor and regulate medications and treatment plans.
What the results may indicate?
On top of the disorders measured by the eight blood tests included in both BMP and CMP, the latter provides essential information in the diagnosis of the following:
Liver cancer
Cirrhosis
Wilson disease
Hepatitis A, B, and C
Dubin-Johnson syndrome
Gilbert syndrome
The Bottomline
People are often hesitant to undergo blood testing mainly because they are frightened of the result. However, the right mindset should be; the earlier you get tested, the earlier you can get the proper treatment.
These four essential blood tests are used in routine health examinations for an important reason. They all reveal your health’s true status, which allows your doctor to look into your risks for certain diseases.
If you value your health, make sure to take these blood tests and consult with your doctor regularly.
And if you like to secure them through the easiest way possible, consider ordering the blood tests online.