5 Tests That You Can Get in Blood Testing Labs

What are Blood Testing Labs? They are laboratories that specialize in the analyses of blood samples. They use various techniques to detect disease-causing microorganisms and substances, such as drugs or alcohol, that may be present in your blood. Doctors order blood tests for a variety of reasons. The tests can be used to diagnose or rule out many conditions, including anemia, cancer, and kidney disease.

What to Expect When You Visit Blood Test Labs

Most people are familiar with some common types of blood tests, such as cholesterol tests, but there are many more specific tests that can help doctors make important decisions about how to treat specific conditions.

Here are five common types of blood tests performed by blood test labs:

1. CBC (Complete Blood Count)

This blood test is the most basic lab work exam, but there are four sub-tests within it that can provide important information about your health. A CBC measures hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels to give your doctor an idea of how much oxygen is getting around your body and to your cells. This test also checks for cells that are either too big or too small.

2. Lipid Panel

Lipids are fatty acids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, which are essential for bodily function. But, high levels of lipids in the blood can pose serious problems. A lipid panel provides an idea of your lipid health by measuring LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides to determine if you are at risk for heart disease or other conditions associated with high-fat levels.

3. Thyroid Panel

This panel checks the thyroid gland's function for signs of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. It measures TSH level, which gives an idea of how much thyroxine is being synthesized by the thyroid gland. It also measures free T4 and free T3 levels when the amount of thyroxine in the blood is high.

4. Liver Function Panel

This test checks several things associated with healthy and unhealthy liver function to provide an idea of your health status. The blood test labs will check for bilirubin, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), GGT (gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase), albumin, and prothrombin (used to determine your risk of blood clotting).

5. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]

This blood test is used to check for a protein associated with blocked arteries and heart attacks. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] can also cause problems when a pregnant woman has high levels in her blood. So, it's important for expecting mothers to have this test done regularly throughout their pregnancy.

Conclusion

There are many different types of blood tests that can be performed in blood testing labs. Since most doctors usually want a complete picture of a person's health before prescribing medication or treatment, blood tests are considered important in diagnosing conditions.

For more information on Blood Test Labs, contact a specialist in Melbourne, FL.


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