What Does A Standard Blood Test Check?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A typical routine blood test is the

complete blood count

, also called CBC, to count your red and white blood cells as well as measure your hemoglobin levels and other blood components. This test can uncover , infection, and even cancer of the blood.

What are the three main blood tests?

Blood test results components

A blood test is typically composed of three main :

a complete blood count, a metabolic panel and a lipid panel

. Each test for different things, which can be understood through a detailed analysis of the results.

What is tested in a standard blood test?

This routine blood test measures

the cells in the body through the blood

. They test the blood for white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. CBC tests can detect if you have anemia, nutritional deficiencies, an infection, cancer, and bone marrow problems.

What does a standard NHS blood test show?

This is a test

to check the types and numbers of cells in your blood

, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This can help give an indication of your general health, as well as provide important clues about certain health problems you may have.

Does cancer show up in routine blood work?

Detecting cancer at the earliest opportunity can improve the chances of successful treatment. New research suggests that

a routine blood test could help find cancers early

. Researchers have previously shown that high levels of platelets – cells in the blood that help stop bleeding – can be a sign of cancer.

What are two blood tests?

  • Troponin. …
  • Blood glucose (Hb A1c) …
  • Cholesterol (lipid profile) …
  • Liver blood tests. …
  • Full blood count (FBC) …
  • Group and save (or Group and screen) test. …
  • Urea and electrolytes (U&E) …
  • Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

What cancers are detected by blood tests?

  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer.
  • Cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) for ovarian cancer.
  • Calcitonin for medullary thyroid cancer.
  • Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for liver cancer and testicular cancer.

What blood tests should I get annually?

  • Broad Thyroid Panel. …
  • Essential Nutrients: iron/ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium. …
  • Complete Metabolic Panel and Complete Blood Count. …
  • Metabolic Markers: Hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose and insulin, lipid panel. …
  • Inflammatory markers: hsCRP, homocysteine.

How quickly can blood test results change?

Blood test results can take

several minutes to several weeks

, depending on the test. It is common to wait a day or two for most results to come back. A person should talk to their doctor or lab about what to expect regarding their test results.

Can drugs be detected in an average blood test?

Drugs in blood are typically

detectable within minutes to hours

, depending on the drug and the dose, versus one to several days in urine. Blood drug screen tests are performed on whole blood specimens using immunoassay screening with reflex to definitive testing.

Will doctors call if your results are bad?

If a normal or negative test result comes back,

the physician can telephone the patient with the “good news

,” and patients have the option of canceling the follow-up appointment. Although it is preferable to give bad news face-to-face, there may be times when giving bad news over the phone is unavoidable.

What are good blood test results?

Component Normal range red blood cells men: 4.32–5.72 million cells/mcL; women: 3.90–5.03 million cells/mcL white blood cells 3,500 to 10,500 cells/mcL platelets 150,000 to 450,000/mcL hemoglobin men: 13.5–17.5 grams/deciliter (g/dL); women: 12.0–15.5 g/dL

What does borderline liver function test mean?

What if your tests are borderline? Sometimes some of the

proteins and enzymes

measured by a liver function blood test are only slightly raised. The levels are not dangerously high, but they need to be monitored.

What are 7 warning signs of cancer?

  • Change in bowel or bladder habits.
  • A sore that does not heal.
  • Unusual bleeding or discharge.
  • Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere.
  • Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
  • Obvious change in a wart or mole.
  • Nagging cough or hoarseness.

Would my WBC be high if I had cancer?

Does cancer cause elevated white blood cell count?

Lung cancer can cause a high WBC count

because of infections like bronchitis or pneumonia that can happen along with cancer. WBC counts increase when the immune system fights these infections.

What cancers Cannot be detected with a blood test?

These include

breast, lung, and colorectal cancer

, as well as five cancers — ovarian, liver, stomach, pancreatic, and esophageal — for which there are currently no routine screening tests for people at average risk.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.