It’s crucial to see your doctor for an annual health test, and a blood test is a vital part of that appointment. If you have a complete blood count (CBC), you’ll find out what’s in your blood.
A lipid profile looks at how much fat and fat-like substances there are in your blood, and a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) looks for 14 signs of your general health in your blood.
One of the most perplexing aspects of visiting the doctor is understanding blood test results. It may be tempting to keep silent, but understanding how to discuss your blood test results with your doctor will help you get the most out of the tests and learn about your specific health requirements.
What is being tested is one of the many key things to know before having a blood test; it’s even more crucial to know what questions to ask your doctor after the results are in.
Here are some questions to ask your doctor about the results of your blood test.
Your doctor will notify you if anything on the page stands out as egregiously abnormal. It’s also important to know if some indicators are slightly out of range in one direction or the other.
Your doctor will notify you if anything on the page stands out as egregiously abnormal. It’s also important to know if some indicators are slightly out of range in one direction or the other.
The numbers of red blood cells (which transport oxygen), white blood cells (which fight infections), platelets (which help blood clot), and haemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in your blood) in your blood is measured in a complete blood count (CBC) test.
Deviations from the norm might signal illnesses such as leukaemia and anaemia, so it’s crucial to know if they’re within the normal range.
Many doctors will also request a lipid profile, which will reveal your triglyceride, HDL, and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as total cholesterol.
You may be at increased risk for stroke, heart disease, and peripheral artery disease if any of these values are above the recommended maximum.
The body’s energy source is glucose, and it must be kept in a constant, stable supply in circulation. However, if fasting blood glucose levels reach a certain level (126 milligrams per deciliter), it can be a sure sign that you have diabetes.
You have pre-diabetes if your blood sugar levels are higher than usual but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. This can imply a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and, of course, diabetes.
If you have pre-diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes, think about changing your diet.
The total serum protein test (included in the CPC) assesses the amounts of albumin and globulin in the blood.
The liver produces albumin, which has the role of stopping blood from spilling out of blood vessels; the liver and immune system produce globulins. Both are required for tissue development, healing, and infection resistance.
Calcium is one of the most common minerals in the body. It is important for nerve and muscle function and blood clotting, as well as for the heart to work properly and for healthy bones and teeth.
The kidneys filter waste from the blood and assist in maintaining a healthy balance of water, salt, and minerals in the bloodstream.
The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, waste products that rise above the normal range if your kidneys aren’t filtering the blood properly, are measured during a CMP.
The liver is responsible for a variety of vital tasks, including digesting nutrients received through digestion, metabolizing medications, regulating what enters and exits the bloodstream, and filtering pollutants from the blood.
CMPs test for bilirubin, a dark yellow substance found in bile, and an excess can cause jaundice, which can indicate liver disease (hepatitis), blood disorders, or a bile duct blockage.
A CMP also checks the levels of three enzymes called ALT, ALP, and AST in the blood. Low levels of these enzymes are common in the blood, but high levels can be a sign of liver disease.
Understanding all of your blood work might be daunting. Therefore, it’s crucial for your doctor to paint a bigger picture of what the results mean for your general health.
If you are diagnosed with any condition, your doctor may choose to merely observe a level for a few years to see if it improves or deteriorates on its own.
However, he or she may tell you to change your lifestyle and come back to be tested sooner or later, or he or she may send you to a doctor for more tests.
It’s understandably distressing to learn that any of the variables evaluated in a blood test are outside of the ideal range.
Many anomalies, thankfully, can be brought back into the normal range by making dietary or lifestyle modifications. Make sure you discuss the appropriate course of action for each of the anomalies in your results to get them back into a healthy range.
For those residing in London and seeking the service of private blood testing, allergy testing or general health testing, please feel free to make an appointment with our specialist for a full consultation.
