What is a blood test?

Do you know about the 10 important blood tests, here is the complete information about all the blood tests.

A blood test is any laboratory analysis that involves the testing of a blood sample drawn from the veins of your hand or from any other part of the body.

They are tests used to carry out an inquiry into our health.

These tests determine the biochemical and physiological state of our bodies and our organ functions.

Important Blood test To Carry Out

Whether sick or not, here are ten standard blood tests to conduct regularly.

1. Metabolic Panel:

A metabolic panel provides insight into the composition of your body chemicals, the function of your kidney, liver, and metabolism.

The test includes several tests that check for the functioning of the following: Sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, blood urea nitrogen albumin, etc. It gives you/the doctor insight into your body’s functioning at a molecular level.

2. Blood Sugar Test:

A blood sugar test is recommended for all middle to old-aged individuals to check the sugar levels in the blood. It allows for the proper management of our health at the pre-diabetes or diabetes stage.

Note that blood sugar is to be measured during fasting, before and after meals, at random periods, and during pregnancy for a proper diagnosis.

3. Lipid Profile:

A crucial test for everyone, the lipid profile measures the cholesterol and fat in our blood.

With results from this test, your doctor can identify certain cardiovascular and blood vessels diseases and determine your potential risks for them as well as other conditions.

4. Genotype Test:

Your blood genotype indicates the genetic makeup of your cells and the type of protein (hemoglobin) in your red blood cells. It determines your physical appearance, biochemical properties, and behavior patterns.

The genotype test is a necessary blood test to undertake, as it is crucial to managing your health and ascertaining your sickle cell carrier status when choosing a partner.

5. Blood Group:

Testing to know your blood group is another critical blood test everyone should carry out. This is so because the knowledge of your blood group is immensely helpful in emergencies, helping remove any incompatibility issues that may arise during blood donation and transfusion.

Asides from that, knowing your blood group can also help plan a healthy pregnancy and prevent the risk of a baby loss due to an Rh factor incompatibility.

6. Complete Blood Count:

A routine complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that checks for any abnormal rise in the levels of primary cells in your blood (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets). As an abnormal level may indicate possible health problems such as nutritional deficiencies, blood cancer, and anemia, your doctor may order further testing to confirm a diagnosis.

7. C Reactive Protein Analysis:

A C-reactive protein is produced by the liver in response to inflammation.

It is an important blood test for adults, as it serves as a marker for inflammation in the body. When a doctor suspects you may have an inflammatory disorder (like arthritis, cancer, an infection, etc.), they may request this test.

8. STIs Testing:

Although several STIs infections can be diagnosed using a urine sample, certain STDs require blood samples for testing or a more accurate diagnosis. These STDs are HIV, Herpes, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia.

9. Thyroid Function Test:

Also known as a thyroid panel, it involves a series of blood testing to check and measure the function and level of thyroid hormones in the body. It is this test that enables doctors to make a diagnosis of hypo or hyperthyroidism.

10. DHEA Test:

DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone found in the adrenal glands that help make testosterone in men and estrogen in women. The DHEA test checks whether your adrenal glands are working well. It measures the amount of DHEA in your bloodstream as both a high or low level of DHEA in the blood are linked to diseases.

While low levels of DHEA are associated with disease of the adrenal gland, low libido, erectile dysfunction, etc., high DHEA can be associated with cancer, PCOS, and premature puberty. (Read more)

When should you get these tests done?

While routine blood tests are recommended at least once a year, depending on your health concerns and conditions, they might have to be more regular.

For example, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol patients may have to have more regular blood work check-ups than the rest of the public.

To carry out any of these 10 important blood tests or any other health checks, you may need, please visit any of our laboratory centers or book your test here.