Types of Blood Tests

Blood is an important fluid of our body that circulates throughout the body delivering necessary nutrients like glucose, amino acids and fatty acids to all body organs. It is also known for regulating body temperature. It performs functions like transporting hormones and signaling tissue damage, if any.

Now, usually if anything goes wrong with our system, a blood test is prescribed. This is because if anything goes wrong with your body, or if you are suspicious about any disease, a blood test gives a brief idea about a particular condition or disorder and helps in diagnosing it further.

This is the most common type of blood test done, to determine the blood group of a person concerned. This is not only done during pregnancy, but also if you wish to know your blood group. Usually doctors recommend it during pregnancy or any other serious condition, in case you need a blood transfusion during the delivery or during any particular surgery.

RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to various parts of the body. A test to check the levels of RBCs is done, which is a part of the complete blood count. Low levels of RBCs are signs of anemia and dehydration.

WBCs are antibodies that fight foreign bodies, which cause infections and disturb the immune system, whereas platelets are blood cells that help in blood clotting. Tracking the levels of WBCs and platelets is a part of the complete blood count, and low levels of these cells may be a sign of cancer, infection, or bleeding disorders.

This type of blood test is done to check the levels of calcium and iron in the blood stream. Abnormally high or low levels of these may be a sign of malnutrition, anemia, weakness, bone diseases and kidney problems.

Minerals like sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and chloride help in maintaining body fluids and the acid-base balance. If a blood test shows abnormal levels of these minerals, there are chances of one having kidney, heart or liver disorders, high blood pressure, dehydration or other disorders.

There are two types of blood tests for diabetes, the first one is A1C, which usually reflects the blood sugar levels and it is normally recommended to get this test done every 2-3 months to track sugar levels. The second one is a self-monitoring blood glucose test.

Every diabetic has a self-monitoring machine to keep a track of their blood sugar levels after every activity, so as to make adjustments in their diet accordingly, to prevent sugar levels from shooting up.

TSH is one type of blood test done to determine the levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormones). This blood test is used to find out whether the thyroid gland's hormone production is normal, active or passive. The test may also help in detecting other diseases related to thyroid gland.

This test is free of cost and is offered to people to detect the presence of the AIDS virus. It is up to you if you want to get this test done or not. Since the treatment to this condition is still not available, it is important to find out whether you are HIV positive or not, to reduce the chances of the virus being transmitted.

A complete blood count usually tracks the presence of hepatitis B virus. It is important to know the presence of this virus as ignoring it can lead to further complications.

Before you get a blood test done, make sure the person concerned, i.e., the one who extracts the blood, uses a disposable syringe or a sterilized syringe, since using the same needle for every person will aid the transmission of viruses, which will lead to further health problems.