You might be curious about what information your doctor hopes to get from blood or urine samples when they say, “I’d want to run a couple of tests.” Generally, doctors recommend testing when your health changes or to help you avoid getting sick in the future.
Routine lab tests (blood and occasionally urine tests) are required to take care of your health. You will likely undergo multiple tests if you have HIV or any such life-threatening disease. Blood chemistry and complete blood count (CBC) are the common ones.
What is the aim of the Blood Lab Test?
Your doctor can use blood tests to determine how well your body’s organs are functioning. Your thyroid, liver, or kidneys are a few examples of organs whose problems can be detected through a proper blood test. Your doctor can also use blood tests to look for disorders and diseases that might be present, such as:
- Diabetes \HIV \Anaemia \Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- A blood test can determine whether a person is at risk of heart disease even if they do not currently have the ailment.
Since different labs use different tools, the test result may differ. As a result, it is wise to have your tests performed at the same lab every time. Your doctor will likely advise you to have a second test if you receive an unexpected result from the first one to compare the results. Generally, trends over time are more significant than anyone unexpected result, so try not to stress too much about it.
Different Types of Blood Test Conducted
Include the CBC Test; other blood tests are conducted to diagnose health issues. Some of these are-
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Complete Blood Count
Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are just a few of the different types of cells that make up blood in our body. The quantity of these cells in a sample of your blood is determined by the complete blood count (CBC). CBCs are particularly crucial for HIV-positive individuals since certain HIV medications, and certain illnesses might alter the quantity of red or white blood cells.
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Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
The Basic Metabolic Panel is an additional test frequently performed concurrently with the CBC. This test reveals details about your muscles, heart, liver, kidneys, and bones by analyzing the various compounds in the fluid portion of your blood.
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Liquid Panel
Other blood tests can target regions of your body and look for disease or obstructions there. For instance, a blood test called a “Lipid Panel” was done to estimate your risk of developing heart disease. If you’ve been fasting for a while, this test will yield more accurate results. It will reveal details about your blood fat content and cholesterol levels.
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Urine Sample
You could be requested to provide a urine sample during your lab visit. Urine can be a good indicator of some disease symptoms because it is the body’s method of eliminating waste from the bloodstream.
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Sexually Transmitted Infection Tests
The doctor can examine the blood sample by undergoing the STI test to identify many sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). These tests are sometimes paired with urine samples or swabs of affected tissue for more precise diagnoses.
Blood tests can be used to identify the following STIs:
- Herpes
- HIV \ssyphilis
- Blood tests taken immediately after contracting an infection are not usually reliable.
Blood Chemistry
Blood chemistry allows the doctor to examine certain substances in your blood. The outcomes of these tests reveal crucial details about your general health, the functionality of your organs, and whether you might be experiencing HIV medication side effects.
Some of the blood chemistry tests include–
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Liver Functioning
These tests measure your liver’s efficiency. The doctor finds increased liver enzyme levels could indicate liver inflammation. Several HIV medications can raise liver enzyme levels.
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Kidney Function
These examinations measure the overall functioning of the kidney. Some tests include blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which gauge how successfully your kidneys are removing various substances from the blood. Kidney tests are extremely crucial if you’re on Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) or any combo medications that also contain TDF.
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Electrolytes
Cells, nerves, and organs of our body work perfectly when enough electrolytes are present. Electrolytes include bicarbonate (CO2), chloride, and sodium. Medication for lung conditions (such as COPD), a lack of water (dehydration), or renal issues can all contribute to electrolyte abnormalities.
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Blood Glucose (glucose)
Your body needs glucose to gain enough energy. Hyperglycaemia, or elevated blood sugar levels, may indicate diabetes or insulin resistance (when the body does not respond to insulin, a hormone to help control glucose levels). Through glucose tests, your healthcare professional can monitor your levels.
Conclusion
Since some diseases or infections don’t show signs in the early stage, it can be a major treatment after a few years. So, it is best to undergo regular lab tests to help your doctor know if there are any issues with your blood.
