There are many different reasons why you might need a standard blood test. Not only can you check for health conditions and find out why you have certain symptoms, but you can also assess your organ health, discover whether you have genetic risk factors, check on your sex hormones, and find nutrient deficiencies. Here at Trinity Medical Laboratories in Marlton, NJ, we offer tests for a variety of different reasons.
Testing your blood shouldn’t be hard, and a competent laboratory will offer you courier service and a fast turnaround. This can be very helpful to people who need their test for a specific reason, for example, to prove that they were not under the influence of drugs, or to those who are worried about their health and would like to know what the issue is as soon as possible. Let’s go over why you might need a test and how the process works.
What Is a Standard Blood Test?
When it comes to medical tests, an analysis of your blood is one of the most common types. This is because it has so many different functions and is relatively easy to administer. The patient simply has to give a sample of their blood, which is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. The professionals there will test for the substances or components indicated, and then you can get your results sent to you.
Why Should I Get One?
If you’ve ever had a serious medical condition or an accident, it’s likely that medical professionals have already tested your blood in order to find out more about your healthcare needs. But if not, you might wonder why such tests are useful and what they can do for you. There is a wide range of reasons why you should test for various components in your blood, and while some of them are related to severe issues, others apply to daily life.
For example, a test for nutrient deficiencies can tell you exactly what minerals you’re missing so you can take steps to rectify the situation. Similarly, you can keep track of your sex hormones to make sure they don’t drop off too quickly as you age. If several of your family members have fallen ill with a genetic condition, you can find out whether you’re at risk by having your blood analyzed.
Check for a Condition
One of the most common reasons why you would need a test is to check whether you are suffering from a specific condition. Most doctors recommend that you have a routine blood sample taken at least once a year, as there are certain diseases that can be caught early that way. For example, life-threatening conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer, and coronary heart disease can all be detected through your test.
One of the most important measures of your health is how many of each type of blood cells you have. If you have a low count of white blood cells, you might be suffering from a condition such as lupus or HIV/AIDS. However, if you have a too high or low count of red blood cells, your doctor might need to run other tests in order to diagnose the issue you’re experiencing.
You Have Symptoms
Sometimes, you might need to have an additional test during the year, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of disease or illness. Getting tested could be a good idea if you suddenly start gaining or losing weight without an obvious cause, if you feel very fatigued despite leading a healthy lifestyle and getting plenty of rest, or if you have persistent pain that keeps coming back.
Such symptoms might indicate that there is an issue, and the earlier you know what it is, the better it can be treated. Kidney, heart, and lung conditions can all be diagnosed through your test, and your chances of recovery are much higher when you get your illness treated before it becomes very severe. In addition, knowing more about your blood can help you to tweak your diet and exercise routine to better fit your needs.
Assess the Health of Your Organs
When you have a standard blood test, you’ll be able to find out how well your various organs are doing their job. The test can show whether your body is able to dispose of waste well and what the levels of electrolytes such as potassium and sodium are. Your thyroid, heart, kidneys, and liver can all be evaluated according to the results of your test.
Although it’s important to check for abnormalities even if you’re healthy, this can be even more crucial when you already suffer from a condition. Regular and reliable testing can show how well certain medications are working and what else needs to be done to keep your body functioning well. If you have trouble with one of your organs, you will definitely need to have bloodwork done frequently.
Find Out Whether You Have Risk Factors
Some people are more susceptible to certain conditions than others due to the nature of their DNA. One such condition is colorectal cancer, but there are others that work in a similar way. If several of your family members have the same disease, you might need to have your blood examined to make sure that you aren’t at risk of suffering from the issue later on.
Similarly, there are conditions that are passed on genetically, and it can be a good idea to test for them before having children. Sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis can occur in children even if the parents are healthy. People who are more susceptible to certain issues due to their gender or ethnic background should consider getting tested in order to make sure that they and their children won’t suffer from such genetic issues.
Keep Track of Your Sex Hormones
As we grow older, the balance of our hormones changes, and we might start to experience a decline in our sex life. By checking on your estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, and thyroid levels, you can see whether everything is still normal for your age, or whether you are suffering from a condition such as low testosterone, which may be harming your sexual health and wellbeing.
Low levels of testosterone and estrogen can cause a variety of problems, particularly related to your intimate life. You may suffer from a lower sex drive or an inability to enjoy intercourse due to vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction. In addition, the drop in hormones also comes with symptoms such as low bone density, which could cause significant problems for you later on in life. It’s best to get tested and find out whether you need to be treated.
Check for Infection
A systemic infection is an inflammation of the whole body and not just one single organ or part. It’s also sometimes called sepsis, and it causes you to develop chills, a low body temperature, a fast heartbeat, fatigue, and weakness. Systemic infections can be very dangerous, so it’s crucial that you get it treated as soon as you develop the first symptoms. When you have more white blood cells than normal, this is an indication of sepsis.
Check for Nutrient Deficiencies
We don’t always have time to spend on optimizing our nutrition and preparing delicious yet healthy meals. That’s why almost all Americans suffer from nutrient deficiencies. Although there is a range of acceptable intake, severe deficiencies can cause symptoms like extreme fatigue, hair loss, and pain.
When you visit your doctor because you aren’t feeling yourself, they might suspect that you are suffering from a nutrient deficiency. In such a case, you’ll be ordered to have a standard blood test done. That way, you can see whether you need to change your diet or start taking some supplements.
Check for the Presence of Drugs
Although we should never take recreational drugs, there are certain situations where this can be particularly dangerous, for example, if your job involves protecting someone’s life or if you are spending time with children. A standard blood test that checks for multiple types of drugs can help to reassure your employer that you are responsible and trustworthy and that you will take the responsibility given to you seriously.
How the Test Works
Now that you know why testing is so important and how this could contribute to your health, you might wonder whether the process is difficult. Fortunately, you don’t have to do much, and you should be able to receive your results very quickly.
If you go with a trustworthy laboratory, you shouldn’t have any trouble, and your results will be extremely accurate. You will simply have your blood taken and then receive a record of your results as soon as they are evaluated.
Before the Test
Before taking your test, you will need to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything for 12 hours prior to your appointment because this could change your results and make them invalid. You can have water, but nothing else. There are also certain medications that can skew the outcome of your test, and your doctor will tell you which ones not to take anymore.
After the Test
You shouldn’t have any significant side effects after your test, and you should be able to go home straight away. Since the blood sample is very small, it won’t affect the way your body can function. However, some people get dizzy or even faint when they see their own blood, so if this has happened to you in the past, you should let the doctor know. It’s also a good idea to bring a friend if you’re feeling nervous about your test.
Get Your Test Today
There are many different reasons for getting a standard blood test, and it can be a great way to find out more about the current state of your health. If you think you might have a medical condition or if you have unexplained symptoms, you could find out more by having your blood analyzed. Similarly, you can discover how well your organs function, whether you have genetic risk factors for diseases, how your nutrient levels are, and more.
Call or message Trinity Medical Laboratories in Marlton, NJ today to find out more about our testing service and how this could be of assistance to you. We will deliver your results to you quickly, so you don’t have to wait for a diagnosis much longer. We also have a variety of other services such as urine tests or Covid-19 tests, so you’ll be covered no matter what your needs are.
