The blood test is one of the most common medical tests. It is an easy and early way to diagnose, treat and manage diseases.
Composition of the blood
Blood is a connective tissue in the form of liquid, consisting of plasma and three important cells: Red blood cells, White blood cells, and platelets.
- Plasma: It is a liquid component of the blood. Plasma is essential for the transportation of blood cells throughout the body.
- Red blood cells: It is bright red and also known as Erythrocytes. The average lifespan of RBC is 120 days. RBC contains hemoglobin, which is necessary for oxygen transport.
- White blood cells: The range of normal white blood cells in the blood is 4,500 and 11,000 per cubic millimeter. WBC is involved in the body’s defense mechanisms. Different types of WBC are Eosinophils, Neutrophils, Basophils, Monocytes, and Lymphocytes.
- Platelets: Platelets are essential for the clotting process. A higher number of platelets can cause clotting inside the blood vessel.
Types of blood tests
Complete blood count: It is a common blood test to eliminate and confirm the disease conditions such as infections, anemia, and so on. Below are the parameters that need to check in CBC reports:
- White blood cell count: Abnormal level represents infection, blood cancer, or an immune system disorder.
- Red blood cell count: Abnormal red blood cell levels indicate the condition of anemia, dehydration, bleeding, or another disorder.
- Hemoglobin: It indicates hemoglobin levels in the blood.
- Hematocrit: It shows how much space red blood cells take up in your blood
- Platelet count: Bleeding disorder will show high or low levels of platelet cells.
- Mean corpuscular volume: It measures the average size of your red blood cells. It indicates anemia or thalassemia.
Blood chemistry tests: These tests measure different chemicals present in the blood. It includes blood glucose, calcium, and electrolyte tests, that measure kidney function.
Blood enzyme tests
- Creatine kinase: It is released in the blood when the heart muscle is damaged. A high level indicates that you had a heart attack.
- Troponin: When heart cells or muscles are damaged, troponin levels rise in the blood. Troponin is a muscle protein required for muscle contraction.
Blood Clotting Tests: If you are suffering from any blood disorder. Your doctor may advise you to take a blood clotting test. These tests check proteins in your blood that affect the blood clotting process.
Blood tests for heart disease risk: Higher lipid levels indicate the risk factors for heart disease.
Why do your doctors advise you to do a blood test?
- Know about the condition of your major organ: kidney, heart, liver, etc.
- Diagnosed disease condition
- Assess the current situation of your body
- Based on your blood report, your doctor may be able to tell you about the risk factors associated with the body.
- Check if you are suffering from an infection
- Screen for genetic conditions running in your family.
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Source :
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests
https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-basics#:~:text=Blood%20is%20a%20specialized%20 body,white%20blood%20cells%2C%20and%20platelets.
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