Do you suddenly fall sick and have no idea why? A visit to the doctor will immediately lead you to multiple blood tests. However, that is the only way for the medical expert to determine what is causing you discomfort.
The results of the blood test help in deciding future treatment plans. Even if you are completely healthy, it is an excellent idea to opt for a necessary blood test at home annually. You and the doctor can take precautionary steps without waiting for the concern to become massive.
What are the essential blood tests you need to opt for every year?
Doctors suggest various blood tests when you visit them with particular symptoms. However, here is a list of the top five blood tests you need to get done annually (even without any symptoms) :
-
Essential nutrients
In this test, essential nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iron are tested. These nutrients are vital for normal bodily functions.
|
Test type |
Estimated level |
|
Magnesium |
1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL |
|
Vitamin D |
20 ng/ml or above |
|
Vitamin B12 |
160 to 950 pg/mL |
|
Iron |
60 to 170 mcg/dL |
pg/mL – picograms per millilitre
mcg/dL – micrograms per decilitre
Various reasons may lead to a deficiency in these essential nutrients. Moreover, you need to follow the prerequisites. For instance, a vitamin B12 test needs 12 hours of fasting.
-
Complete blood count
One of the most vital blood tests often recommended is the CBC or the complete blood count. It is used to assess the overall health and offer information on the onset of different disorders.
Blood test CBC includes:
- Red blood cell count
- Hematocrit
- Haemoglobin
- Platelet count
- White blood cell count
|
strong>Tests |
Ideal range |
|
Red blood cell count |
For men – 4.35-5.65 trillion cells/L and for women – 3.92-5.13 trillion cells/L |
|
Hematocrit |
For men -38.3-48.6% and for women – 35.5-44.9% |
|
Haemoglobin |
For men – 13.2-16.6 grams/dL and for women – 11.6-15 grams/dL |
|
Platelet count |
For men – 135-317 billion/L, for women – 157-371 billion/L |
|
White blood cell count |
3.4-9.6 billion cells/L |
-
Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid function test or the thyroid panel is a series of tests done to check thyroid hormones in the body. The results determine the condition of the thyroid and how it reacts to various hormones. The wide range of thyroid tests conducted are:
- T3 or Triiodothyronine
- TSH or the thyroid-stimulating hormone
- T4 or thyroxine
- Anti Thyroglobulin Ab
- Anti TPO Ab
|
Test type |
Estimated level |
|
T3 |
80–180 ng/dL |
|
TSH |
0.5–4 mIU/L |
|
T4 |
0.8–1.8 ng/dL |
Here, ng/dL = nanograms per deciliter of blood
And mIU/L = milli-international units per litre of blood
-
Basic metabolic panel
The basic metabolic panel or BMP comprises checking the levels of different compounds present in the body. These include:
- Creatinine
- Glucose
- Calcium
- Blood urea nitrogen
- Sodium
- Bicarbonate
- Potassium
- Chloride
|
Test type |
Normal levels |
|
Creatinine |
For men – 0.9-1.3 mg/dL and for women – 0.6-1.1 mg/dL |
|
Glucose |
70-99 mg/dL |
|
Calcium |
8.6-10.2 mg/dL |
|
Blood urea nitrogen |
6-20 mg/dL |
|
Sodium |
136-145 mEq/L |
|
Bicarbonate |
23-29 mEq/L |
|
Potassium |
3.5-5.1 mEq/L |
|
Chloride |
98-107 mEq/L |
The levels vary slightly for people who are more than 60 years old. Some tests need some specific prerequisites, such as fasting.
-
Lipid panel
The lipid panel is used to check HDL or high-density lipoprotein and LDL or low-density lipoprotein. Both these tests are essential, as they determine the content of these cholesterol levels in the body. HDL helps remove toxic substances from the blood, assisting the liver in breaking down the waste materials. On the contrary, increased LDL can cause an increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
|
Cholesterol type |
Cholesterol levels |
|
LDL |
Less than 100 mg/dL |
|
HDL |
Greater than or equal to 60 mg/dL |
However, the ideal level may vary based on age, gender, etc. It is vital to get a professional opinion after the test.
Conclusion
These vital blood tests can help you get the peace of mind you need with regards to your health. Conducting these tests annually will let you stay updated with your health status. If something is wrong, the medical professional can suggest further treatment or refer you to some expert.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
