Blood Tests

The blood is probably one of the most important indicators of overall body health. The blood is made up of thousands of cells and microorganisms that can be either helpful or harmful to your health.

Doctors to check for certain diseases and medical conditions use a blood test. Medical practitioners also use blood tests to check the function of your organs and figure out how a particular treatment is working.

Though many blood tests do not need special preparations, some especially when checking the efficacy of a particular drug may require that you fast for a period. This is normally avoiding eating food for between 8 to 12 hours.

During a blood test, a lab worker will draw a small amount of blood from your vein using a needle. Some procedures may require drawing the blood from an artery but most of the time the blood is drawn from a vein in your arm around the elbow area. This is usually quick and easy and the blood is then analyzed for whatever purpose the doctor sought the blood test.

When do you need Blood Tests?

It is rare to find a medical practitioner who does not ask for a blood test. It is a common examination that is taken for a specific purpose.

Some of the most common types of blood tests that doctors order are complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry tests, blood enzyme tests, and blood tests to assess heart disease risk.

• A CBC can detect blood diseases and disorders.
• Blood chemistry tests measure different chemicals in the blood. These tests give doctors information about nerves, muscles (including the heart), bones, and organs such as the kidneys and liver.
• Blood enzyme tests measure the amounts of enzymes in your blood. These tests can help diagnose a heart attack.
• Blood tests to assess heart disease risk measure chemicals in your blood that show whether you are at increased risk for heart disease.

What are the Risks in Blood Tests?

Taking a blood test is one of the more mundane tasks that a medical practitioner has to perform. There should be no major complications when one does a blood test with a trained professional.

The main risks with blood tests are discomfort or bruising at the site where the needle goes in. These complications usually are minor and go away shortly after the tests.

However, if you had your blood taken by a non-qualified or negligent medical practitioner, you could have severe issues. If the medical practitioner is not good, there is a danger of contaminating your blood with unhealthy organisms such as germs or other viruses.

It is important therefore to seek medical attention from qualified health care providers to avoid unnecessary complications.

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