Why Are Blood Tests Important and What Can They Show Us?
Sometimes called a blood panel, a blood test is when a sample of blood is extracted from a patient to check for a variety of things, and some require a period of fasting several hours beforehand, while others do not.
Having your blood analyzed is vital for a number of reasons, and the most common of these can be found below:
Helping you decide upon an appropriate dietary regime
If you’re struggling to manage a health condition, or to lose weight, undergoing regular blood tests can help you (and your GP or dietician) determine an appropriate dietary regime for your health needs.
Finding out the root cause of an illness
Blood tests are essential for helping discover the root cause of a patient’s health problem, and medical experts will recommend that symptom specific blood tests be carried out.
Examining the function of your organs
It can be hard to know exactly what’s going on inside your body unless you have routine examinations of your vital organ parameters, and with an organ function test, your GP can check for altered levels that may indicate any one of a number of prevailing conditions.
Helping with weight issues
Excess weight or an inability to lose weight despite trying hard, can be indicative of an underlying problem, and this can be picked up on with a blood examination. From hormonal imbalances, to a build-up of toxins or hidden infections, a blood test will help a medical professional get you the help you need to better manage your weight and/or diagnose an underlying condition.
Checking your nutritional status
It’s not always easy to know if we’re getting the required number of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that our bodies need, but regular blood testing can check for deficiencies, some of which may indicate serious conditions such as neurological disorders, muscle impairment, diseases of the bone and joint, and metabolic disorders.
Regulating hormonal imbalances
Having an often devastating impact on both your mood and your health, hormonal imbalances can cause all manner of problems if not properly diagnosed through a blood test.
Diagnosing food allergies
If left undiagnosed, a food allergy has the power to make your life a misery, but with a blood test, your immune systems response to particular foods can be measured, enabling the patient to then make dietary changes as advised.
Diagnosing autoimmune disease
One of the most common blood tests for detecting autoimmune disorders is ANA (antinuclear antibodies), and specific tests are available for testing probable antibodies attacking your internal organs.
Assessing your general state of health
Having a blood test carried out regularly at a private clinic by a pharmacist or at your GPs surgery by a registered nurse, can play an important role in helping you maintain your overall health and fitness, in much the same way as diet and exercise can.
For a long and healthy life, be sure to talk to your GP about regular blood tests, which in many instances, can be carried out by a pharmacist at a private clinic.