A blood test measures or examines the blood’s cells, chemicals, proteins, or other substances. Blood testing, also known as blood work, is a common type of lab test.
Blood tests may be performed to monitor how well you are managing a condition such as diabetes or high cholesterol, for routine checkups, or when you are ill.
Doctor home visits assist you in determining your symptoms and recommending the necessary tests for your health evaluation.
When Should You Go for a Blood Test?
It is now mandatory to have blood tests at least once a year. It will undoubtedly keep you aware of changes in your body. You can prepare for any upcoming illness by doing so.
Doctors recommend that you have your blood tested at least once a year. Some of the situations that may necessitate a blood test include:
- If you want to alter your lifestyle habits, abnormalities in various parameters, such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), can help you modify your diet or fitness plan.
- When you are experiencing unusual or persistent symptoms such as fatigue, unusual weight gain or loss, or new pain.
- When your family history or lifestyle habits put you at a higher risk of certain conditions such as diabetes, anaemia, thalassemia, etc.
- If you want to assess or reduce the risk of diseases or complications, regular blood tests can detect the early warning signs of the majority of diseases.
What are the most important blood tests?
Here are the top five tests you should do every year to ensure your good health.
Blood composition Test
This test will reveal your blood’s complete composition. RBCs (red blood cells), WBCs (white blood cells), platelets, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and Hematocrit are all part of it. Any abnormal levels of any of the above components can be expected.
- Deficiency of blood cells, including vitamin deficiency in the body
- Inflammation in tissues
- Iron deficiency
- Signs of a skin infection
- Heart issues
Electrolytes Test
This test will determine which minerals are present in your blood. Sodium, chloride, magnesium, and potassium are essential minerals that must be present in your blood. In the case of mineral deficiency, a person may experience malnutrition, dehydration, or hormonal imbalances.
Liver Panel
This test evaluates the function of your liver. It examines several parameters, including proteins, enzymes, and other substances produced by your liver. Actual results may include Bilirubin, Albumin, AST, ALP, ALT and Aspartate aminotransferase. If any of the above values are high, your liver is not functioning properly. Cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver, and other liver diseases are examples.
Lipid Panel
This test can determine the different types of cholesterol and fats in a person’s blood. This type of test typically yields HDL (good cholesterol), Triglycerides, LDL (bad cholesterol), and total cholesterol. This test can help people avoid developing heart disease.
Diabetes Test
Diabetes has become a significant issue in recent years, particularly after the age of 30. The main cause of contracting such a disease is a hectic lifestyle and poor eating habits. Glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and post-meal blood glucose are all part of the diabetes test. This test can determine how well someone has managed their blood sugar levels.
How do blood tests work?
There are many different kinds of blood tests, and they all work differently. Here are some common ones:
- Blood microscopy: technician (or a computer) looks at blood under a microscope to analyze the number and appearance of key types of cells.
- Protein analysis: technicians separate blood into its constituent parts with a centrifuge. The proteins are run through a machine which identifies them.
- Cholesterol count: a machine measures the number of triglycerides, HDL and LDL in the blood.
- Drug screen: chemicals are mixed with a blood sample to determine if there are trace amounts of illicit substances in the sample.
- Blood gas: a machine uses reactants and sensors to measure pH, electrolyte contractions, and how O2/CO2 content in the blood.
- Blood culture: technician incubates the blood sample in a medium that would allow for the growth of bacteria already present in the blood. This allows us to identify what bacteria and what antibiotics to use.
Your blood sample will be sent to a lab after the procedure. Trained technicians then search for the information requested by the healthcare provider. This could take a day, a week, or more. To learn more about the results, contact your healthcare provider. Home visit doctors in Bengaluru can help you out in evaluating your health status and recommend the necessary precautions or treatments.
