10 Blood Tests Everyone Should Consider

Blood tests are essential diagnostic tools used in healthcare to analyse a person's health and diagnose diseases and abnormalities. Various blood tests assess different aspects of the body. These diagnostic wonders, ranging from complete blood count (CBC) to lipid profile, unlock essential health clues merely from a vial of your blood.

Understanding the importance of these tests empowers medical professionals to make informed decisions and improve patient outcomes. Let’s first understand what is a blood test and then the types of blood tests your doctor may recommend you. 

What Is a Blood Test?

Blood tests are medical investigations conducted either during routine checkups or to draw a diagnosis from the signs and symptoms you may have. They encompass common blood tests, including the check of cells, platelets, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and minerals in the blood.

While blood tests aid healthcare providers in diagnosing health problems, it's essential to note that abnormal results do not necessarily signify a serious medical condition. They are valuable tools for further investigation but do not provide a definitive diagnosis by themselves most times.

The different types of blood tests offer a wealth of information about your health, making them a commonly used medical tool. These tests such as CBC and metabolic panels, aid in diagnosing health conditions, ensuring early detection of the condition, planning tailored treatments, and improving the management of potential health risks.

List of Top 10 Important Blood Tests

The 10 most common and important types of blood tests are:

1. CBC test

The CBC test is a crucial blood test in the list of blood tests that provides comprehensive insights into your overall health. It aids in diagnosing, monitoring, and screening for various infectious and non-infectious diseases. The CBC typically assesses red and white blood cells, platelets, haemoglobin, haematocrit (a measurement of how many red blood cells are in your blood) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) to determine the oxygen-carrying capacity, infection-fighting abilities, and clotting potential of blood. Your results are generally available within a couple of days.

2. Basic metabolic panel (BMP) test

The BMP test evaluates eight substances in the blood, providing vital insights into your body's chemical balance and metabolism. It measures values of:

• Glucose (the main energy source)
• Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride and carbon dioxide) that control fluid and acid-base balance in the body 
• Calcium (essential for nerve, muscle, and heart function)

Additionally, it assesses BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine as indicators of kidney function. Any significant deviations in the levels of these indicators can indicate significant health issues.

3. Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)

The CMP is a widely-used and highly informative blood test, encompassing the essential components of BMP. It includes additional tests like albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), ammonia levels, and bilirubin to evaluate kidney and liver function, detect liver disease and bone disorders, and assess enzyme levels for liver health.

4. Lipid panel

A lipid panel test is one of the many common blood tests that assess cholesterol and other fats in your blood. This important panel of tests aids in predicting the risk of heart disease and stroke by measuring total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides.

5. Thyroid panel

Thyroid function tests assess thyroid function and aid in diagnosing conditions like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. These tests include imaging studies and blood tests. Blood tests check TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), T3, T4 levels, and thyroid antibodies to detect thyroid disorders. TSH is often one of the initial tests ordered by healthcare providers.

6. Cardiac biomarkers

A cardiac biomarker test evaluates specific enzymes in the blood. Elevated cardiac biomarker levels may indicate heart issues, such as those that make one prone to a heart attack. These tests are crucial in diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions. The cardiac biomarkers observed are:

• Creatinine phosphokinase or CPK (also called CK) and myoglobin (MB) measure heart damage. 
• Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) signals heart blood flow problems.
• Peptides indicate stress and inflammation. 
• C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, and soluble CD40 ligand suggest heart inflammation and atherosclerosis risk.

7. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests

STI tests are used to detect infections caused by sexually transmitted diseases. These tests aid in receiving appropriate treatment and can prevent the transmission of diseases. Blood tests are commonly used to diagnose STIs like syphilis, HIV, and occasionally herpes.

8. Coagulation test

Coagulation factors are blood proteins essential for clot formation to stop bleeding after an injury. Coagulation factor tests are blood tests that assess these factors to determine if there's an excess, deficiency, or malfunction of any specific clotting factor, or if a clotting factor is missing altogether.

9. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) test

The DHEAS test assesses DHEAS (this is essentially a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in either sex) levels in your blood. DHEAS levels peak during puberty and decrease with age. If you display symptoms of an adrenal disorder or tumour, your healthcare provider may order this test to evaluate the function of the adrenal glands.

10. C-reactive protein (CRP) test

CRP, a protein produced by the liver, usually exists at low levels in the blood; however, when there is inflammation in the body, more CRP is released by the liver. The CRP test is a common blood test that determines the CRP level in a blood sample. Elevated CRP levels may indicate a severe health condition involving inflammation.

Evaluating the Results of Blood Tests

Any diagnosis can only be reached after the final blood test report is received. The time it takes to receive blood test results varies depending on the specific test and your provider's preferences. Some results may be available within hours, while others, like genetic tests, may take longer. 

To understand the results of different types of blood tests, it’s best to consult with your doctor. Some healthcare organisations provide online access to results; however, your provider may prefer to discuss them over the phone or in person.

Book Online Blood Test With Orange Health Labs

You can easily book different types of blood tests online with Orange Health Labs. This allows you to get blood tests at home easily. Some steps you can follow to book an appointment are: 

• Visit the “Orange Health” site.
• Click on “Lab tests.”
• You can then go ahead and select one or multiple types of blood tests depending on your doctor’s recommendations. 

In the world of healthcare, the long list of blood tests stands as an important ally, giving us vital insights into our well-being. From early disease detection to tailored treatments, these diagnostic wonders pave the way for a healthier life.