20 Blood-Test Breakdowns That Could Make You The Sherlock Holmes of Hematology
Forget what you think you know about blood tests. They're not just about cholesterol or sugar; they're an astonishing window into the intricate, life-sustaining universe flowing within you. Hematology, the specialized study of blood, delves deep into the silent signals your body sends, revealing crucial insights about everything from energy levels and immune strength to hidden inflammation and disease risks. From the microscopic dance of red and white blood cells to the vital functions of your bone marrow and clotting proteins, these tests offer a powerful diagnostic roadmap. Whether you're tracking a chronic condition, optimizing your well-being, or simply curious about your internal landscape, understanding your bloodwork is key. We've significantly expanded our guide to bring you 20 essential blood test breakdowns, demystifying what each one reveals about your health.
1. Complete Blood Count
A complete blood count (CBC) is a hematology test that evaluates a patient's overall health. It can be used to detect multiple different disorders, including leukemia, infection, and anemia. These tests review several different aspects of blood. This includes measuring the amount of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets in the makeup of a patient's blood. In addition, they measure the proportion of plasma to red blood cells. If any of these readings are unusual, the hematologist will have a better sense of the underlying condition with which a patient may be dealing. Complete blood counts are used for multiple different reasons. In addition to being a diagnostic tool, they can be used to review overall health during a routine examination, monitor a chronic medical condition, or monitor ongoing medical treatment. If a patient is recovering from a medical condition like cancer, their doctor may order complete blood counts periodically to make sure they have not had any relapses. Complete blood counts are not fasting blood tests. However, patients may need to fast if their doctor needs additional information from the sample.
2. Blood Chemistry Test
A blood chemistry test is another hematology test that measures chemicals found in a blood sample. They help find abnormalities in chemical levels and determine how well an individual's organs are functioning. These tests are also sometimes interchangeably called chemistry panels. Multiple types of chemistry tests are available, and the one a doctor uses will vary depending on the patient's circumstances. The doctor may measure minerals, vitamins, proteins, sugars, hormones, lipids, electrolytes, enzymes, or any combination of them. Electrolyte panels measure minerals, including bicarbonate, phosphate, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride. Renal panels measure the function of the kidneys by seeing how much creatinine and blood urea nitrogen are in the patient's blood. Basic metabolic panels take both electrolyte and kidney readings, and also measure the patient's calcium and glucose. Comprehensive metabolic panels take all of these measurements and also include a liver function test. Blood chemistry tests are used to diagnose conditions, monitor ongoing treatment, and measure the function of organs like the thyroid, liver, and kidneys.
