Most of us have had blood tests done during one of our annual physicals, but sometimes its hard to decipher exactly what tests are being run and what they measure. Doctors will normally focus on telling you if something is out of the normal range, but they rarely go into a full explanation of what was tested and why. Here is a brief rundown of the most common blood tests:
CBC (Complete Blood Panel)--The most common blood panel run is a CBC. This panel is the one usually done annually during physicals , and it measures your red blood cell count, your white blood cell count, platelets, hemoglobin and hematocrit to name a few. If your red blood cells are abnormal, you could be anemic (feeling fatigued and rundown). If they are too high, you could be dehydrated (not enough fluid in your body). Your white blood cells are responsible for keeping your immune system health and fight off infections and diseases. If they are abnormal, you may have an infection or a blood disorder. Platelets are blood cells that help your blood clot. Too many or too few of those can cause you to have sticky blood in your arteries or if you have too few, they can cause your blood not to clot. Hemoglobin
is iron rich protein LDL in red blood cells. If you are a diabetic and your A1C is high, the glucose is attaching itself to the hemoglobin and raising your blood sugar levels. Lastly, hematocrit measures how much space between red blood cells. If it is high, you may be dehydrated and low may signal anemia.
BMP--(Basic Metabolic Panel)-This blood test panel is run to check your muscles, bones and organs (such as kidneys and liver). If your kidney levels, which are referred to as creatinine and BUN on the tests are high, that may be sign of dehydration or kidney infection. If your liver enzyme is abnormal, that may signal fat in the liver or more serious conditions such as hepatitis. BMP also includes blood glucose which will tell you if youre blood sugars are in the normal range. If they are high, you may be diabetic.CHD--(Coronary Heart Disease)--This blood panel measures levels that can lead to heart attack or stroke. It specifically focuses on overall cholesterol, breaking down the good cholesterol (HDL) and the bad cholesterol () and the ratio between them. It also measures your triglycerides which if too high can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).Most blood panels have a range listed, and it will list an H or an L if youre blood level falls outside that range. Dont be afraid to ask the doctor for a copy of your blood test and discuss anything that you dont understand. Be your own advocate where your health is concerned and ask questions. Its your right to know.
