The five main blood tests are: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), Blood Enzyme Tests, Blood Tests to Check for Heart Disease, and Blood Clotting Tests (Coagulation Panel). Let's explore each of these in more detail.
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a common blood test that evaluates the overall health of your blood cells. It measures:
- Red blood cells (RBCs): Carry oxygen throughout the body.
- White blood cells (WBCs): Fight infections.
- Platelets: Help with blood clotting.
- Hemoglobin: The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Hematocrit: The proportion of your blood that is made up of red blood cells.
A CBC can help detect various conditions, such as anemia, infections, and certain cancers.
2. Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
A Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) measures several substances in your blood, providing information about your body's chemical balance and metabolism. It typically includes tests for:
- Glucose: Blood sugar level.
- Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate): Important for nerve and muscle function, and fluid balance.
- Kidney function (Creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen - BUN): Assess kidney health.
- Calcium: Important for bone health, muscle function, and nerve function.
BMP results can help diagnose conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and electrolyte imbalances.
3. Blood Enzyme Tests
Blood enzyme tests measure the levels of specific enzymes in the blood. Elevated enzyme levels can indicate damage or stress to specific organs or tissues. Examples include:
- Troponin: Used to detect heart damage, such as from a heart attack.
- Creatine kinase (CK): Can indicate muscle damage, including heart muscle.
- Liver enzymes (ALT, AST): Indicate liver damage or inflammation.
4. Blood Tests to Check for Heart Disease
Several blood tests are used to assess the risk and presence of heart disease. Some common ones include:
- Lipid panel (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL): Measures cholesterol and other fats in the blood, which are important for assessing heart disease risk.
- C-reactive protein (CRP): Measures inflammation in the body, which is a risk factor for heart disease.
- BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide): Elevated levels can indicate heart failure.
5. Blood Clotting Tests (Coagulation Panel)
Blood clotting tests, also known as a coagulation panel, assess your blood's ability to clot properly. These tests measure:
- Prothrombin time (PT): Measures how long it takes for blood to clot.
- Partial thromboplastin time (PTT): Another measure of clotting time.
- International normalized ratio (INR): A standardized way to report PT results, especially for people taking blood thinners like warfarin.
- Fibrinogen: A protein essential for blood clot formation.
These tests are important for diagnosing bleeding disorders, monitoring anticoagulant therapy (blood thinners), and assessing clotting function before surgery.
