Your need for regular medical testing increases as you age. Most senior citizens have been through this. For example, it is nearly impossible to be hospitalized without having blood work done. It is a standard element of most emergency department care. That’s why it’s crucial to be proactive about your personal health, and here is what you need to know about blood tests.
# Complete Blood CountA Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a series of tests that look at the cells in your blood. This includes:
- Red blood cell count (RBCs): the number of red blood cells per microliter of blood.
- White blood cell count (WBCs): the number of white blood cells per microliter of blood.
- Hematocrit (Hct): the percentage of blood that is made up of red blood cells.
- Hemoglobin (Hgb): how many grams of red blood cells per deciliter of blood.
- Platelet count (Plts): number of platelets per microliter of blood.
- Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): the average size of red blood cells.
The CBC is usually used for diagnosing various conditions, including Anemia, inflammation due to infection, bone marrow problems.
# Basic Metabolic Panel (basic electrolyte panel)Also known as “chem-7,” and it is usually requested to measure electrolytes which are ordered as a part of seven or eight measurements hence the name “chem-7”. This blood test includes:
Potassium
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Glucose
Sodium
Chloride
Carbon dioxide (CO2) (As this is the chemical form of carbon dioxide that is more frequent in the circulation, it is sometimes referred to as “bicarbonate.”)
Creatinine
The basic metabolic panel is often used for:
- To find out the complications or side effects of people who use certain diuretics or blood pressure medications.
- To monitor the function and current state of lungs, kidneys basing the carbon dioxide, creatinine, and BUN levels.
- To diagnose diabetes, which causes high blood sugar levels (glucose levels) or hypoglycemia which is easily recognized by the low glucose levels.
# Comprehensive Metabolic PanelThis blood test includes everything on the previous basic metabolic panel with an addition of seven more items which is sometimes called “chem-14”. Besides the previous seven tests, the comprehensive metabolic panel blood test includes:
Albumin
Alkaline phosphatase
ALT (alanine aminotransferase)
AST (aspartate aminotransferase)
Total protein
Bilirubin (total)
Calcium
This blood test is used for:
- To see if your body is sensitive to certain kinds of medication by looking at calcium levels.
- Low albumin levels may suggest a liver issue or a problem keeping albumin in circulation.
- Higher levels are frequently caused by a blockage in the liver or an issue with bone metabolism.
# Lipid (cholesterol) PanelThese tests assess the levels of several kinds of cholesterol and lipids in the bloodstream, including:
- Triglycerides
- Total cholesterol
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, sometimes known as “good” cholesterol
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes known as “bad” cholesterol
These tests are typically used to assess cardiovascular risk in older adults. Medication, such as a statin, is occasionally used to treat higher-than-normal total or LDL cholesterol levels.
# Thyroid FunctionThese tests can be used to check for thyroid problems or to assist in calibrating thyroid replacement drug doses. The most frequently utilized tests are:
Free thyroxine (“free T4” or FT4)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
The blood test is usually for:
- If an older adult is experiencing symptoms connected to a thyroid issue, the first step is to measure the TSH level.
- Thyroid issues are prevalent in older individuals (particularly older women). They are connected with symptoms such as tiredness and cognitive impairments.
- If the TSH is abnormal, the free T4 level is frequently used to confirm a thyroid hormone issue.
# Vitamin B12 LevelsThese tests assess vitamin B12 levels in the blood and determine if they are enough for the body’s requirements:
Methylmalonic acid
Vitamin B12
And thanks to this blood test, healthcare professionals can identify problems such as walking difficulties, fatigue, memory issues.