Approximately 70 percent of medical decisions are based on diagnostic test results, including blood tests.1
While a blood test is simple for you—with the exception of feeling “a little pinch”—the actual diagnostic process behind the scenes is quite complex, requiring specialized equipment and technicians. “Many patients consider having a blood test to be a simple procedure, but don’t understand what takes place behind the scenes between when the blood is drawn and when the doctor makes a diagnosis,” “Laboratory blood tests are a vital part of the diagnostic process, helping physicians make the correct diagnosis and determine the appropriate course of treatment.”
Even before your blood is tested, it needs to be properly prepared for the analyzer. It might be spun very fast to separate the blood cells from the fluid portion of the blood, creating a serum or plasma sample. Whole blood can be analyzed on an automated cell counter which is a device that counts different types of blood cells. The plasma and serum is used to measure concentrations of important metabolites like hormones, vitamins and other biomarkers in blood. Finally, the results are verified by trained lab professionals and specialized doctors and are used for further diagnosis.
Developing cutting-edge blood diagnostic tests and instruments is what is all about, enabling doctors to provide the best possible care more quickly and accurately.
Several medical conditions can be assessed by blood screening tests like monitoring for cardiovascular risk factors, blood sugar levels, liver and kidney function, immune system wellness, and optimal hormone balance. Regular testing of these parameters verifies medical fitness and suggests necessary precautions to be undertaken. Careful attention to laboratory findings can help in decreasing risk for disorders such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, liver conditions, anemia, and diabetes. Regular testing also can help in preventing and treating conditions associated with hormone imbalances, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, memory impairment, bone loss, weight gain, and depressed mood and others.
A yearly blood test is a relatively inexpensive investment when compared to the cost of disease-related health care and prescription medications, with tremendous potential to protect your health and increase your quality of life.
While many of the tests in the Male and Female Panels overlap, they diverge in measures that are specific to the health concerns of men or women. The men’s panel includes measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker of enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, while the women’s panel assesses progesterone levels, an important female hormone related to a host of menopausal and post-menopausal disorders. Both panels include tests which measure over 40 different blood components, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood glucose, iron and mineral levels, kidney and liver function, and others. These panels also test for levels of total and free testosterone, DHEA-S (an indicator of adrenal cortical function), estradiol, homocysteine, and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Prevent yourself from medical ailments by getting yourself checked periodically by blood tests prescribed by your doctor.
