10 Most Common Blood Tests

Blood tests are an integral part of healthcare, and when you step into a blood test clinic, you’re likely to encounter several routine blood tests that provide valuable insights into your overall health. These essential tests, performed by skilled healthcare professionals, offer a snapshot of your well-being by examining various factors such as blood cell counts and metabolic markers. They serve as critical diagnostic tools, aiding doctors in their efforts to assess, diagnose, and monitor various medical conditions. 

Whether you’re getting a basic blood count or checking specific markers like cholesterol levels, these tests empower healthcare providers to tailor their recommendations and treatments to your unique health needs, ensuring that you receive the best possible care. So, next time you visit a blood test clinic, rest assured that these common blood tests are working behind the scenes to help safeguard your health.

Introducing Ten Commonly Performed Blood Tests

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood, helping diagnose anaemia, infection, and other blood disorders.
• Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP): It checks electrolyte levels, glucose, and kidney function, providing information about your body’s chemical balance.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Similar to BMP, but includes additional liver function tests, evaluating overall metabolic health.
• Lipid Panel: This assesses cholesterol levels, including HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol, to gauge heart health and risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Thyroid Function Tests: These tests, including TSH, T3, and T4, measure thyroid hormone levels, helping diagnose thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
• Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): This indicates average blood sugar levels over the past few months and is commonly used to monitor diabetes management.
• Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalised Ratio (INR): These tests assess blood clotting ability and are important for patients on blood-thinning medications like warfarin.
• Liver Function Tests (LFTs): These tests, including ALT, AST, and bilirubin, evaluate liver health and can help diagnose liver diseases.
• Renal Function Panel: It evaluates kidney function by measuring creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), and electrolyte levels, aiding in the diagnosis of kidney diseases.
• C-reactive Protein (CRP): This marker of inflammation helps identify and monitor various inflammatory conditions, including cardiovascular disease and infections.

These common blood tests are vital tools for healthcare professionals to assess and manage a wide range of health conditions and provide valuable information about a patient’s overall health status. The specific tests ordered may vary depending on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and healthcare provider’s clinical judgement.

Varieties of Blood Sample Types

• Venous Blood Sample
• Most Common type
• Drawn from a vein, often in the arm.
• Used for most routine blood tests.

• Capillary Blood Sample

• Obtained by pricking the fingertip, heel, or earlobe.
• Common for glucose monitoring (e.g., blood sugar testing).
• Used when a smaller sample volume is sufficient.

• Arterial Blood Sample

• Collected from an artery, usually the radial artery in the wrist.
• Provides information on oxygen levels, acidity (pH), and more.
• Commonly used in critical care settings.

• Cord Blood Sample

• Collected from the umbilical cord after childbirth.
• Contains stem cells and can be stored for potential future medical use.

• Bone Marrow Aspiration

• Involves drawing a sample of bone marrow from the hip bone or breastbone.
• Used to diagnose blood disorders and some cancers.

• Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Sample

• Blood is collected on a filter paper and allowed to dry.
• Often used for newborn screening or testing in remote locations.

• Umbilical Cord Blood Sample

• Collected from the umbilical cord and placenta immediately after birth.
• Contains stem cells and can be banked for potential future use.

• Peripheral Blood Smear

• A drop of blood is spread thinly on a glass slide and stained.
• Used to examine blood cell morphology and detect abnormalities

Health screening services involve a straightforward yet essential process. First, during a health screening, a healthcare professional collects a blood sample, often from a vein in your arm, to assess various aspects of your health. This blood sample is then carefully labelled and transported to a laboratory for analysis. There, it undergoes a series of tests, depending on the type of health screening ordered by your healthcare provider. These tests can measure vital parameters such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and other markers that provide valuable insights into your overall well-being.

Once the analysis is complete, the results are interpreted in the context of established reference ranges. Your healthcare provider reviews these findings and discusses them with you. Health screening services are a fundamental tool in preventive healthcare, enabling early detection of health issues, helping you and your healthcare team make informed decisions about your health, and promoting proactive steps to maintain or improve your well-being.

In conclusion, blood tests conducted at a blood test clinic are indispensable tools in modern healthcare. These routine tests provide invaluable insights into our overall health by examining various parameters such as blood cell counts and metabolic markers. They empower healthcare professionals to detect health issues early, tailor treatment plans, and promote personalised healthcare.

Blood tests play a pivotal role in disease diagnosis, monitoring, and prevention, making them a cornerstone of preventive medicine. So, the next time you visit a blood test clinic, remember that these common blood tests are working diligently behind the scenes to safeguard your health and well-being.