Blood Tests can tell you a lot about the health condition your body is in. Below are some common blood tests everyone should get periodically even if your healthy.
CBC (Complete Blood Count)

CBC is one of the most common tests. Usually a CBC is ordered when a person has signs and symptoms related to illnesses that affect the blood cells. Usually blood cell disorders causes weakness, fatigue, inflammation, bruising, or bleeding. After a person is diagnosed with a blood cell related disease, CBC is used more often to monitor the disease.

CBC help screen for anemia, leukemia, bleeding disorder and many others. CBC Evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)

CMP is used to evaluate organ functions and identify illnesses such as diabetes, liver disease and kidney disease. CMP is also used to monitor conditions such as hypertension and other side effects of kidney/liver illness medications. CMP should be performed annually to identify early signs of illnesses.

PT and INR

Many people take anticoagulant warfarin to help inhibit the formation of blood clot. PT and INR is used to monitor the effects of this drug and help maintain the balance between blood clot or excessive bleeding(condition when blood is not clotting at all). To maintain a good balance, careful monitoring is required. INR can be used to adjust the dosage of warfarin to get the PT into the correct range.

PT and INR is ordered when

Unexplained bleeding or easy bruising
Nosebleeds
Bleeding gums
A blood clot in a vein or artery
A chronic condition such as severe liver disease that may affect hemostasis

Thyroid Panel

A test to evaluate thyroid gland function can help diagnose thyroid related illnesses. You should seek Thyroid panel test if you have signs and symptoms related to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Below are some symptoms:

Hypo:

weight gain
dry skin
constipation
cold intolerance
puffy skin
hair loss
fatigue
menstrual irregularity in women

Severe untreated hypothyroidism can lead to heart failure, seizures, and coma. In children, hypothyroidism can stunt growth and delay sexual development.

Hyper:

increased heart rate
anxiety
weight loss
difficulty sleeping
tremors in the hands
weakness
diarrhea
maybe puffiness around the eyes
dryness, irritation, bulging of the eyes

The sample required can be quickly drawn from a vein in your arm.
Blood Cholesterol

Unlike the above tests, cholesterol test is not used to monitor or diagnose an illness, it is used to estimate the rick of developing one, usually heart disease. Being over weight with a higher level cholesterol are associated with hardening of arteries, heart disease and heart attacks. Blood cholesterol should be performed once every five years to monitor heath conditions. However, this test should be used more often if the person has these factors.

Cigarette smoking
Age (men 45 years or older or women 55 years or older)
Hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90 or higher or taking high blood pressure medications)
Family history of premature heart disease (heart disease in an immediate family member—male relative under age 55 or female relative under age 65)
Pre-existing heart disease or already having had a heart attack
Diabetes mellitus

Results:

Adults Normal: cholesterol below 200 mg/dL Borderline High 200-239 mg/dL High Risk: 240 mg/dL or above
Young Adults Normal: cholesterol below 190 mg/dL Borderline High 190-224 mg/dL High Risk: 225 mg/dL or above
Children and adolescents Normal: cholesterol below 170 mg/dL Borderline High 170-199 mg/dL High Risk: 200 mg/dL or above

Blood Glucose(sugar) Test

BGL is used to detect hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) . BGL also screen for diabetes and monitor glucose levels in in people with diabetes. A BGL should be ordered if you have some of these risk factors:

Overweight, obese
Physically inactive
A close (first degree) relative with diabetes
A woman who delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or with a history of gestational diabetes
A woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome
High-risk race or ethnicity such as African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander
High blood pressure (hypertension) or taking medication for high blood pressure
Low HDL cholesterol level (less than 35 mg/dL or 0.90 mmol/L) and/or a high triglyceride level (more than 250 mg/dL or 2.82 mmol/L)
A1c equal to or above 5.7%
Prediabetes identified by previous testing
History of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Hyperglycemia signs and symptoms

Increased thirst, usually with frequent urination
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Slow-healing wounds or infections

Hypoglycemia signs and symptoms

Sweating
Hunger
Trembling
Anxiety
Confusion
Blurred vision

Extreme stress can cause a temporary rise in blood glucose. This can be a result of, trauma, surgery, heart attack or stroke. Many other drugs can also effect the level of blood glucose.
Liver Panel Test

This test is used to screen for acute and chronic liver inflammation (hepatitis), liver disease and liver damage. Liver pane test can also evaluate and monitor the above conditions. This test is ordered periodically for the purpose of to check the liver function. When medications are taken, it can affect your liver, a simple blood drawn from the arm is a large enough sample for testing.

The above are some of the common blood tests that can truly benefit someone’s health. These tests are offered at Dr. Paul’s Clinic. If you would like to check your health in the cellular level, pay us a visit.