Published: 30 Apr 2024

Understanding Blood Tests

Blood tests measure various components in your blood to assess health and diagnose or monitor conditions. Here are common types of blood tests:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
* Evaluates red and white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin.

Blood Clotting Tests (Coagulation Panel)
* Assesses your body's ability to form clots and control bleeding.

Blood Enzyme Tests
* Measure enzymes released by specific organs (e.g., liver, kidneys, heart) to detect potential damage.

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
* Tests for levels of glucose, electrolytes, and calcium in your blood.

Cholesterol Tests
* Measure levels of "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol to assess heart health.

Purpose of Blood Tests:
* Diagnose diseases and conditions
* Monitor chronic conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol
* Evaluate treatment effectiveness
* Assess organ function

Understanding Blood Test Results:
* Your report will include reference ranges (minimum and maximum levels).
* Readings outside these ranges may indicate abnormalities.
* Your doctor will interpret the results and provide an explanation.

Interpreting Blood Test Results:
* Compare your results to the reference ranges.
* If your results fall within normal ranges, there is generally no cause for concern.
* Abnormalities may indicate issues with specific organs, infections, or other health conditions.
* Your doctor will discuss any necessary follow-up steps.

Additional Uses of Blood Tests:
* Determining blood type
* Checking for genetic conditions
* Detecting infections