Your blood can say a lot, and this is why blood tests are often used by doctors to identify a range of health conditions and monitor an individual’s overall health. These tests are ordered to evaluate substances in your blood, from the cells to proteins, which could indicate conditions like anemia, cancer, high cholesterol, and more. With all of this information being measured, the right blood test will simplify the diagnosis process.
But what are the most common blood tests ordered by a doctor? There are countless different types of blood tests. However, the four listed in this post are considered to be the tests you are most likely to experience throughout life.
This blood test can also be used to diagnose various health conditions, such as anemia, blood cancers, and clotting issues. It is a simple blood test to run, only required a small sample of blood that is usually drawn from a vein in your arm. Your results will be compared to a reference range to decide if they are within the normal limits.
If your results are considered abnormal, your doctor will discuss this with you before proceeding with further tests to determine what health condition you have.
As this blood test looks at bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, and sodium, it is a rather broad test. It is commonly used for patients that might have diabetes, and your doctor might explain the importance of blood sugar in health if you are found to suffer from this condition.
You might be asked to fast for at least eight hours before your appointment; you should check with your doctor on this.
CMP is usually used when a doctor suspects you might suffer from a condition like diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease. It will also be used to monitor these conditions and side effects of particular medications. You might be asked to fast before each CMP blood test, so keep this in mind for the future.
Doctors will order for test for people who have a family history of or at risk for cardiovascular problems. It is also used for those who are being treated for heart disease, although it might be used as part of a routine checkup, too.
As outlined in this post, there are many different blood tests that a doctor might order, depending on their patient’s health and requirements. Four of the most common are a complete blood count, a basic metabolic panel, a comprehensive metabolic panels, and a lipid panel.
Complete Blood Count
One of the most commonly used blood tests is a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC, which is also known as a full blood count (FBC), measures the number and types of blood cells to help your doctor assess your overall health. This will include checking red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume.This blood test can also be used to diagnose various health conditions, such as anemia, blood cancers, and clotting issues. It is a simple blood test to run, only required a small sample of blood that is usually drawn from a vein in your arm. Your results will be compared to a reference range to decide if they are within the normal limits.
If your results are considered abnormal, your doctor will discuss this with you before proceeding with further tests to determine what health condition you have.
Basic Metabolic Panel
Another common blood test that your doctor might perform is a basic metabolic panel (BMP). This test is used to measure eight substances in your blood, such as electrolytes and glucose. It will be performed to check your general health as well as looking for certain problems, such as diabetes and poor kidney function, to name a few.As this blood test looks at bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, and sodium, it is a rather broad test. It is commonly used for patients that might have diabetes, and your doctor might explain the importance of blood sugar in health if you are found to suffer from this condition.
You might be asked to fast for at least eight hours before your appointment; you should check with your doctor on this.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
The third routine blood test in this list is the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), which measures 14 different substances in your blood. This will test for the same eight measurements that a BMP looks at as well as blood levels of albumin, bilirubin, total protein, and other substances related to liver function.CMP is usually used when a doctor suspects you might suffer from a condition like diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease. It will also be used to monitor these conditions and side effects of particular medications. You might be asked to fast before each CMP blood test, so keep this in mind for the future.
Lipid Panel
A lipid panel, also known as a lipid profile or cholesterol test, is a blood test that is used to measure the levels of cholesterol and other fats (lipids) in your blood. It will measure total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol. This is used to assess the levels of lipid, especially LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, in your blood, as this will affect your risk of heart disease and stroke.Doctors will order for test for people who have a family history of or at risk for cardiovascular problems. It is also used for those who are being treated for heart disease, although it might be used as part of a routine checkup, too.
As outlined in this post, there are many different blood tests that a doctor might order, depending on their patient’s health and requirements. Four of the most common are a complete blood count, a basic metabolic panel, a comprehensive metabolic panels, and a lipid panel.
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