Getting your blood tested is a routine procedure that can provide critical insights into your overall health. Blood tests can indicate a range of conditions, from minor vitamin deficiencies to severe health issues.

Understanding blood test results can help you identify potential health concerns and work with your doctor to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Below, we’ll explain how blood tests work and what they can reveal about your health.

How Blood Tests Work

During a blood test, a healthcare professional will draw blood from your arm with a needle. The vials of blood will be sent to a lab for analysis. Most blood tests will look at three key components of your blood:.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A complete blood count, or CBC, measures your overall blood count. It looks at three main components of your blood:.

Red blood cells: which carry oxygen to the body’s organs
White blood cells: which help fight infections and diseases
Platelets: which aid in blood clotting

Abnormal levels of any of these components can indicate a range of illnesses or diseases, including infections, anemia, and bleeding disorders.

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

A basic metabolic panel, or BMP, looks at your overall organ function. It measures key components in your blood, including:.

Glucose: measures your blood sugar levels and can indicate diabetes or other insulin-related issues.
Electrolytes: essential minerals including potassium, sodium, and chloride. Abnormal levels can indicate dehydration, kidney issues, or other organ problems.
Calcium: regulates bone health and can indicate issues with the parathyroid gland or kidneys.
Proteins: crucial for organ function and immune system health. Abnormal levels can indicate liver or kidney problems, malnutrition, or inflammation.

Lipid Panel

A lipid panel measures your blood’s cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These fats are essential for brain function and hormone regulation, but abnormal levels can indicate an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health concerns.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: often referred to as “good” cholesterol because it transports cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver for processing.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: often referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it can accumulate in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Doctors typically aim for an LDL level below 100 mg/dL.
Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol: This type of cholesterol is produced in the liver and can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Triglycerides: a type of fat that can be used for energy but can also be stored in the body’s fat cells. High triglyceride levels can indicate an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

What Blood Tests Can Reveal About Your Health

Now that we’ve gone over the three primary types of blood tests, let’s look at some of the health issues they can reveal:.

Anemia

Anemia is a common condition where your body lacks enough red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body. A CBC test can indicate whether you have anemia by measuring your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, and it can be caused by a poor diet, heavy menstrual cycles, or other underlying health issues.

Diabetes

Blood tests that measure glucose levels (such as an A1C test or fasting blood glucose test) can help identify diabetes.

High glucose levels can be an indicator of diabetes, a metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce and use insulin.

Thyroid Issues

The thyroid, a small gland in your neck, produces hormones that regulate your body’s metabolism.

Blood tests that measure your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels can indicate thyroid issues, such as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid).

Liver and Kidney Function

Blood tests that measure liver enzymes, such as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), can indicate liver damage or disease.

Blood tests can also indicate kidney function by measuring creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels (BUN).

Heart Health

Blood tests that measure cholesterol and triglyceride levels can indicate your risk of heart disease. Abnormal lipid levels can indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.

Inflammation

Blood tests that measure C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can indicate inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation can be caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, and other underlying medical conditions.

Cancer

There are no specific blood tests for cancer, but blood tests can be used to monitor cancer treatment and detect certain types of cancer. For example, cancer cells produce certain proteins that can be detected in the blood.

Tumor markers, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or CA-125, can also indicate certain types of cancer.

Conclusion

Blood tests are a powerful tool that can provide valuable insights into your overall health. By monitoring your blood work and working with your doctor, you can identify potential health concerns and take steps to improve your health and well-being.