blood tests?
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I know this answer is kinda long, but here are some things that are checked when blood work is ordered.
Listed below are brief, general explanations of the tests your health care provider has ordered. We hope these are helpful. Please be aware these are not comprehensive descriptions and many disorders can affect these tests. Each test must be interpreted in light of your overall health and must not be used, by itself, to indicate any particular problem. Your provider will advise you if these tests warrant follow up or further evaluation.
Albumin - the main protein found in the blood. Mildly high or low levels are not necessarily alarming but low levels especially can be associated with many types of chronic illness.
Amylase - an enzyme commonly found in the pancreas and salivary glands to help digest foods. Small variations are not likely to be a problem but marked elevations may indicate a problem with these digestive glands.
(BNP) Beta-Natriuretic Peptide - this is a test with a wide range of variability. Very high levels are frequently associated with congestion and/or fluid in your lungs. This may be associated with onset of/or worsening of heart disease.
(BUN) Blood Urea Nitrogen - this is a waste product of digestion/metabolism. It is produced in the liver and cleared from your system by your kidneys. Under certain conditions high levels may be associated with dehydration or kidney disease. This may be affected by high protein diets and/or strenuous exercise.
Calcium - found mostly in bone, calcium is important for normal function of the heart, the nervous system, blood clotting and muscle function. High or low levels may be a sign of disease but interpretation must also be based on other tests and not just the calcium level alone.
CBC (Complete Blood count) - blood is composed of cells and fluid. This is a measure of the cellular count. Cellular count is composed of different types of white blood cells, red blood cells and clotting cells. Minor variations of these cellular lines are quite common and not necessarily a sign of any disease. Marked variations warrant further investigation.
Chloride - like sodium, chloride is important for the normal function of nerves, muscles and other body tissues. Mild variations in the chloride level are common but marked variations may be a sign of disease.
Cholesterol - is a building block chemical used as a structural part of body tissues and also creation of other chemicals such as hormones. Cholesterol is best known as a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Low levels are generally not considered to be a problem in most cases. High levels need to be evaluated further and interpreted in light of other risk factors.
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - is used as an indicator of potential heart disease. Cannot be taken alone as a significant risk factor but needs to be evaluated in terms of other risk factors.
Creatinine - this is a waste product of digestion/metabolism of protein and is largely found in muscle. Low levels are not considered a problem. High levels may indicate a problem with kidney function and warrant further evaluation.
CRP (C- Reactive Protein) - this is a measure of inflammation. It may represent an inflammatory process anywhere in your body, however recently, has been used as an indicator of the potential risk for heart disease. Low levels are not considered to be a problem. Elevated levels do not necessarily indicate heart disease but warrant further investigation.
Ferritin - is a sensitive indicator of iron stores. It is highly variable. Low values may represent iron deficiency or anemia (low red blood count).
GGT - an enzyme involved in the function of heart, liver and muscle cells. Diseases affecting these organs may raise this value. Low levels are usually not considered significant. Mild elevations do not necessarily indicate significant disease and must be interpreted in light of other findings.
Globulin - these are proteins that serve an important function in the immune system for fighting infections. Mild variations may not be significant. Moderate variations must be interpreted in light of other findings.
Glucose - this represents the sugar content of your blood. It is most commonly recognized as an indicator of diabetes mellitus. Reliable testing must be done in the fasting state (no food for 10 to 12 hours). A non-fasting test usually shows significant variability. Mildly low levels do not usually indicate a significant problem.
Helicobactor Pylori - this is a stomach bacteria closely associated with ulcers and other acid related disorders of the intestinal tract.
HDL cholesterol - this is high density lipoprotein which is commonly referred to as "good" cholesterol. HDL removes the harmful cholesterol away from blood vessel walls and as such, this is protective against heart disease. The higher the value, the lower the risk. Largely under genetic control, exercise and some dietary changes do have an effect on HDL as does cigarette smoking.
(HCT) Hematocrit - a measure of the red blood cell content of your blood compared to the total content. It is useful for evaluating anemia, which has many causes.
(HGB) Hemoglobin - proteins found inside red blood cells used to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. See hematocrit.
Hemoglobin A1c (glycosylated hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin) - this test is an indicator of the average daily blood sugar over the preceding two to three months. Used commonly as a measurement of adequate control of diabetes. High numbers indicate that diabetes has not been in proper control for the preceding several months.
Hepatitis A, B, C - these are tests for viral hepatitis or inflammation/infection of the liver. These may reflect an acute or recent infection and also may reflect a distant past infection which has resolved.
LDH - an enzyme commonly found in the blood at low levels. Tissue damage from such things as heart attacks, liver disease, damage to red blood cells, etc., may raise this level.
LDL cholesterol - a low density lipoprotein which is commonly referred to as the "bad" cholesterol. LDL transports cholesterol to the vessels. The lower the LDL value the lower the risk of coronary artery disease. A low saturated fat/low cholesterol diet can lower this value.
Magnesium - an element found in the blood and tissues which is normally controlled in a fairly narrow range. Low levels or deficiency can result from alcohol dependency, malabsorption, malnutrition, certain medications, acute intestinal disorders, heart disease and medications. High levels can result from kidney failure and overuse of magnesium containing substances.
Microalbumin - Microalbumin/Creatinine Ratio - a sensitive test to screen for early kidney disease which may be caused by such conditions as diabetes.
Phosphorous - an element which occurs widely spread in all tissues, especially bone. This test is frequently interpreted in light of other test, such as calcium. It is regulated by the kidneys and the parathyroid glands.
Potassium - an element which is important for muscle and nerve function. Controlled largely by the kidneys. Abnormal levels can result from medications and kidney disease. Occasional false abnormalities are seen if blood specimens are delayed in processing.
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) - a screening test that may reflect benign enlargement of the prostate gland in men, but high levels may also be an indicator or prostate cancer.
PT (INR) & PTT - these tests should reflect function of certain proteins in the blood which are responsible for coagulation or clotting. Abnormal levels can be associated with medication, such as blood thinners, or liver disease.
RBC (Red Blood Cells) - these cells carry oxygen in the body. Low levels are called "anemia".
Rheumatoid Factor - this is a protein found in the blood which may be associated with specific types of arthritis. It is important to note that slightly elevated levels are also found in a certain percentage of the population who have no disease at all.
SGOT (or ALT) - an enzyme commonly associated with liver, muscle and heart function. Elevated levels may be associated with excess alcohol use, muscle injuries and heart disease. Slightly low values are not typically significant.
SGPT (or AST) - similar to ALT.
Sodium - an element that is important for the normal functioning of most body tissues including nerves, muscles and other cells. Level is controlled basically by the kidneys and adrenal glands. High or low levels can be related to many disease states, medications, excessive or inadequate fluid intake, etc.
Total Bilirubin - is a pigment found in bile, which is formed by the liver. It is a breakdown product of red blood cells. Excessive breakdown of red blood cells and/or liver disease can cause a significant increase in bilirubin. At certain levels, jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, becomes apparent. Low levels are not typically significant.
Total Protein - total amount of protein circulating in the fluid component of blood. Many disease states can alter this level which generally represents overall health and nutrition.
TSH/T3/FreeT4 - these tests, found in the blood, reflect the functioning of the thyroid gland. High or low levels may reflect dysfunction of this gland acutely or chronically.
Triglycerides - fats which are typically measured in the blood. Elevated levels are a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Markedly elevated levels may cause inflammation of the pancreas. Values can be dramatically affected by a recent meal; therefore a 10 to 12 hour fast is required to measure this accurately.
Uric Acid - a nitrogen related component of the blood which is typically a byproduct of metabolism. High values may be related to medication and/or kidney disease. Excessive amounts in the blood may contribute to a type of arthritis called gout.
WBC (White Blood Cells) - These are a component of the body's ability to fight infection. Elevated levels can be associated with acute or chronic infections but also malignancies such as leukemia. This typically causes a very marked elevation o WBC. The total WBC count can be broken down into various subtypes of white blood cells, each of which has a significant function.
they check for almost anyhting
or anything that would have to do with what you are there for
They do not really look for things like drugs........i dont think
Are you worried about them finding something in your system ?? .. if so .. chances are .. there not looking for it .. so they wont test for it !!
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