Blood Test By Redcliffe Labs

What are blood tests?

Blood tests refer to laboratory analyses performed on a blood sample, which is usually drawn from a vein in your arm by injecting a needle. These are very common medical examinations that reveal essential details about your health. 

In other words, blood tests aid in diagnosing infections, assessing organ health, checking for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and even detecting cancer. 

Blood tests are crucial in preventive care measure various components of blood such as: 

• Red and white blood cells
• Platelets
• Hemoglobin
• Hormones
• Electrolytes
• Enzymes
• Other substances

Instead of visiting a diagnostic laboratory, you can book a blood test at home with a sample collection from a reputed pathology lab like Redcliffe Labs. Enjoy the most professional diagnostic services at your doorsteps at the most competitive rates. Get the most accurate blood test report at the right time. 

When would you need to have a blood test?

You need a blood test for several reasons, including routine health checkups to track your overall well-being and detect potential issues early. Your blood provides crucial insights about what changes may occur in your body. However, an abnormal blood test does not always mean a serious medical condition. 

A healthcare provider may do a blood test because: 

1. You need a routine health checkup. The primary reason is that your healthcare provider thinks you need a blood test as it is time for your regular examination. Blood tests are done regularly to assess your overall health, involving a range of tests to potential health issues even before the onset of symptoms. Depending on your requirements, you can book a blood test at home or at the clinic to evaluate many parts of your blood, such as a complete blood count, basic metabolic panel (BMP), or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). 
2. When you are at risk of developing a certain condition. Another reason a doctor recommends a blood test is when he suspects you are at risk of developing certain conditions, such as cancer. If you have symptoms or a family history of heart disease, several blood tests are performed to check your cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins, sugar, or protein. 
3. To determine the cause of your discomfort, a healthcare professional will recommend a blood test to determine the cause. You may feel any discomfort due to weakness, fatigue, or fever. For instance, a complete blood count can be suggested for viral fever to identify changes in white blood cells, platelets, and other parameters indicating a viral infection. Additionally, in pregnancy and fertility checks, a doctor monitors hormone levels and overall maternal health. 
4. Understanding the cause of specific changes. A blood test may help a doctor understand a certain gene change, allowing for further investigation or planning your treatment. 
5. Checks for treatment’s effectiveness. Routine blood tests not only help your medical practitioner screen for specific conditions like heart disease, thyroid, sugar, cancer, and sexually transmitted disease (STD), but they also help see how well the treatments are working, meaning how your body is coping with illness, injury, or infection after using the targeted therapies. 
6. Genetic analysis. Blood samples become even more crucial when a disease runs in your family, like thyroid disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or hypertension. Through a blood test, your doctor will assess if you are at risk of developing a specific condition. 

What do blood tests show?

While searching for a blood test online, you will find a series of tests to show changes in your body. Blood tests for diseases, including those that check for nutritional deficiencies, do not provide a complete picture but a snapshot to your doctor of additional blood tests to be performed. 

A blood test may reveal: 

• Low blood levels (anemia) are one of the primary reasons that a doctor suggests a blood test to measure red blood cells. They carry oxygen throughout the body. Low red blood cells (RBCs) indicate a condition called anemia. Larger-than-normal cell formation may be a sign of blood disorders or blood cancer. 
• Overall health status. Blood tests help detect potential issues through routine screenings. They help a doctor identify a variety of health conditions, including HIV, cancer, and organ failure, before symptoms appear. This allows for early intervention and more effective treatment. 
• Abnormal levels of electrolytes. A blood test such as a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) helps show levels of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. Electrolytes play an important role in helping your body, such as regulating nerve and muscle function, keeping your body hydrated, and maintaining the balance between fluids inside and outside your body. 
• Nutrient levels. Blood tests also provide valuable insights into nutrient levels, assessing deficiencies in vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin D, and B12. 

Additionally, it evaluates liver, kidney, and heart health by measuring enzymes and other markers, and it may detect proteins, minerals, and other things, such as blood clotting ability, with blood tests. 

What are the most common blood tests?

There are many different types of blood tests to choose from. Some of the most common blood tests that are used to diagnose and monitor various health conditions are: 

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Basic metabolic panels (BMP)
• & Electrolyte Panels (EP) 

These blood tests are performed to detect different types of diseases and to check an individual's overall health. The best thing is that you can book a blood test at home from a recognized lab like Redcliffe Lab and understand your health status. 

3 Different Categories of Common Blood Tests

Here are some common blood tests categorized by type: 

1. Blood Tests Online for Communicable Diseases: 

Blood tests for communicable diseases help doctors identify infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. These include: 

1. HIV test: This test detects antibodies against the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It may include ELISA, Western Blot, or Rapid Test. 
2. Hepatitis viral panel: This is a blood test that helps show hepatitis. It helps detect current and past infections caused by hepatitis A, B, or C. Hepatitis is a liver disease that damages the liver and causes inflammation.
3. Tuberculosis (TB) test: Also referred to as TB IGRA ( interferon-gamma release assays or IGRAs test), this test helps confirm if you are infected with the TB virus. 
4. Malaria test: To help detect malaria parasites, a blood test for malaria is done through a Peripheral Blood Smear or Rapid Diagnostic test. 
5. Dengue test: Dengue blood tests include NS1 antigen, IgM, and IgG antibody tests, which are done to confirm dengue virus infection. 
6. Typhoid test: A typhoid blood test mainly includes the Widal test, typhi dot, and blood culture. These tests check for antibodies that your body makes against the salmonella bacteria. 
7. STI Blood Tests (Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HPV, Herpes, etc.) – These tests detect sexually transmitted infections. 

2. Blood Tests Online for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are non-infectious but chronic diseases that can develop over time. These include: 

1. Lipid Profile Test: A doctor suggests a lipid profile test to assess heart disease risk. It covers parameters such as total cholesterol, LDL, bad cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol, and triglycerides. 

2. Blood Glucose Test (BGT): A blood glucose test screens for prediabetes or diabetes, detecting if your sugar levels are high. A BGT test covers parameters such as:

• Random blood sugar (RBS) test: This test helps check sugar levels in the body and can be done regardless of what you last ate. 
• Fasting blood sugar (FBS): This test is done after you have not eaten for at least 8 hours. 
• The HbA1C test shows your average blood sugar level over the past two or three months. 

3. Liver Function Test (LFT): Also known as a liver panel test, this test measures several substances made by your liver. Also, it monitors liver health in conditions like fatty liver disease or liver cirrhosis. It includes: 

• Alanine Transaminase (ALT): Also known as alanine aminotransferase, this test assesses liver health. 
• Aspartate Transferase (AST): The test helps show how much enzyme aspartate transferase is in your blood. 
• Alkaline Phosphate (ALP): It measures the ALP levels in your blood to diagnose liver damage or bone disorder 
• Bilirubin Blood Test: This checks for bilirubin in your liver’s bile to detect a liver disorder. 
• Albumin Blood Test: Albumin is a protein formed by the liver and helps check kidney and liver function. 
• Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): A lactic acid dehydrogenase checks the location and seriousness of tissue in the body. 
• Ammonia levels: Ammonia blood tests show the ammonia concentration in your blood. High ammonia levels may indicate liver and kidney damage. 

4. Kidney Function Tests (KFT) evaluate kidney performance in chronic kidney disease (CKD). A kidney function test typically measures:

• Serum Creatine Kinase (CK) test: This test mainly reveals the severity of muscle damage and the need for hospitalization. 
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test: This test measures urea, a waste product excreted by the kidneys. 
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): The eGFR blood test measures the level of kidney function and determines the stage of kidney disease. 
• Electrolytes: The KFT with electrolytes determines your kidney health, evaluating creatinine, BUN, uric acid, electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, blood urea, and BUN/ creatinine ratio. Additionally, a chloride blood test measures chloride along with other electrolytes to diagnose or monitor kidney and liver disease, heart failure, and high blood pressure.

5. Thyroid Function Tests: A blood test for thyroid typically measures thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) in your blood. 

6. Vitamin Profile Tests: These tests help identify bone and neurological health deficiencies. 

7. Cancer Marker Tests involving PSA, CA-125, CEA, and AFF are recommended to detect cancer early. 

8. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) check for inflammation in the body, which can be caused by infection, injury, or chronic disease. 

3. Specialized Blood Test Online: 

A specialized blood test helps check for specific health conditions. 

1. Genetic blood tests: A doctor usually suggests a blood test for genetics to help identify genetic disorders such as

• A BRCA1 and BRCA2 test is associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. 
• Sickle cell anemia (SEA): It is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in hemoglobin genes. 
• Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective gene that can damage the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs. 

2. Autoimmune disease panel: Blood tests for autoimmune disorders show if your immune system accidentally attacks your body instead of protecting it from viruses, parasites, and cancer. These include: 

• Antinuclear antibody test (ANA): Many ANA in your blood sample may indicate a certain autoimmune disorder due to antibodies mistakenly attacking your immune system. 
• HLAB27 (flow cytometry) test: It confirms the presence of HLA-B27 protein on white blood cells. 
• Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-long disease in which an infection mistakenly attacks the cells that prevent your pancreas from making insulin. 
• CE Complement blood test:  It diagnoses and monitors autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid disorder and lupus.
• The C-reactive protein (CRP) test checks for inflammation in the body caused by infection, injury, or chronic disease. 
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): This test reveals inflammation in your body and many other conditions, including cancers, blood disorders, and immune system disorders. 
• Peripheral blood smear (PBS): It examines red and white blood cells, as well as platelets. 

3. Hormone tests: These tests help diagnose hormonal imbalances or reproductive and adrenal health. This includes testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, progesterone, and prolactin. 

4. Allergy testing: A blood test for allergy testing covers immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. The test is a specific allergen panel that identifies allergies to foods, pets, pollen, or other irritating substances.

5. Heavy metal testing is done for multiple heavy metals in one sample, including cadmium, chromium, mercury, and arsenic. 

6. Coagulation Tests: Coagulation blood tests help evaluate blood clotting disorders, covering these parameters: 

• Prothrombin Time Test (PT): This test, along with its derived measures of prothrombin ratio (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR), helps determine one's ability to form blood clots. 
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): Also known as partial thromboplastin time (PTT), this test measures the length of time it takes for clotting to occur. 
• D-dimer test: The test helps diagnose blood clotting disorders. 
• A fibrinogen test helps measure blood protein levels. Fibrinogen is a protein produced in the liver that forms blood clots. 
• Kappa (k) or Lambda (λ) Free Light Chain (FLCs) test checks for high protein levels in the blood plasma. A doctor may suggest this test to diagnose amyloidosis (a non-cancerous disorder) or multiple myeloma (a cancerous disorder). 

7. Blood alcohol content: A healthcare provider suggests a blood alcohol content (BAC) specialized test that measures the amount of alcohol in your system. 

8. Ferritin: This test may be needed when your CBC test shows insufficient iron levels. 

These common blood tests provide valuable information to your healthcare provider, helping him diagnose and manage various health conditions.

Other Blood Tests

Healthcare providers may use the same tests to detect blood cancer or non-cancerous blood disorders: 

1. Blood Tests for Heart Disease

Some blood tests help determine your risk of developing heart disease: 

• Cardiac Blood Tests help a doctor know if you are at risk of developing a heart disease or a heart attack. 
• An arterial blood gas (ABG) test checks oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, among other things. It is used to diagnose heart failure and cardiac arrest.

2. Pancreas Blood Tests are often a part of a common blood test (CBC) and aid in diagnosing conditions affecting your endocrine system. 

3. Reticulocyte count: This test measures your bone marrow's red blood cells (reticulocytes). Additionally, some blood tests do not need blood samples, such as:

• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): This test checks for signs of colon cancer in your poop (stool). 

• Urinalysis is used to detect blood cells in your pee (urine).

What does a complete blood count (CBC) test show?

A CBC is a combination of several specialized tests and helps measure: 

• White blood cells (WBC)
• Platelets
• Hemoglobin levels
• Variations in the size and volume of red blood cells (RBCs) with a red blood cell distribution width (RDW). 
• Average size of red blood cells with a mean corpuscular volume 

When should I have a blood test?

Getting a blood test done thoroughly depends on your medical condition and overall health. However, you should consider having a blood test in the following conditions: 

• Routine health-ups: A healthcare provider recommends a blood test as a part of regular health check-ups to monitor your health and detect potential issues early. Additionally, doctors recommend annual physical examinations that may include a CBC.
• If you experience symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, weight loss, or pain. 
• Monitoring chronic conditions: Blood tests track chronic conditions like diabetes, overweight, or obesity (a BMI greater than 30).
• Before surgery or hospitalization: Healthcare providers generally recommend a blood test before surgery or hospitalization to ensure the patient's body is healthy for the procedure. 
• Pregnancy or family planning: Blood tests are crucial to help monitor pregnancy health or identify potential genetic risks.

Test Details 

How should I prepare for a blood test?

Preparation for a blood test depends on the type of test you are having. For instance, some blood tests require fasting for several hours, and you may be asked not to drink any liquids except water. On the other hand, most blood tests allow you to take your regular meals and stay hydrated for a convenient blood draw. Other steps may include: 

• Apply moisturizer: Applying a moisturizer to your arms will make it easier for your provider to insert a needle and obtain blood. 
• Gentle exercise can help: Avoid push-ups and sit-ups and do some gentle stretching to boost your blood pressure before being called in for your blood test. 

Ask your healthcare providers how you should prepare for your blood test, as it may vary from individual to individual. Some individuals are on medications and may ask to stop them before the test to receive the most accurate blood test results. 

What happens during a blood test?

During a blood test process: 

• A healthcare provider/phlebotomist will ask you to sit on a chair with an armrest, making it easier to stretch out your arm before you. 
• Wearing loose clothes is advised. Now, you will roll up your sleeve above your elbow. 
• Now, a phlebotomist will wipe an antiseptic solution on the bend of your arm and put a tourniquet band around it. 
• Now, he will insert a needle into your vein, ensuring it doesn't hurt you. Nonetheless, the needle getting into your skin is called venipuncture. 
• The blood drawn is transferred into a vial, sealed, and sent to a lab for analysis.
• After obtaining enough blood, the phlebotomist removes the band. 
• Then, he will put a bandage on the needle site. 

What are the different ways to do a blood test?

 Other procedures of doing a blood test include: 

• Finger prick. In this blood test procedure, your healthcare provider will prick one of your fingers with a needle to collect a small amount of blood, which he will save on a special strip of paper and send to a lab for analysis. 
• Heel stick. This blood test is very common in the U.S. and is mostly applied to newly born babies. The expert pricks the heel with a small needle to draw a blood sample. 
• Arterial blood gas test. As the name suggests, healthcare providers obtain blood from one of your arteries instead of a vein in this test. 

What does a healthcare provider do after a blood test?

After the blood test, a healthcare provider will bandage the injection site. Usually, you can resume your normal activities after ten or fifteen minutes. Depending on your situation, he may suggest you rest for some more time, especially if you have a fear of needles. 

How much blood can you expect at once?

It depends on the kind of blood test. Typically, a CBC test requires around 30 milliliters (mL) of blood. It is a small blood volume, with an average adult possessing 4,500 to 5,700 milliliters of blood in their system.

Results and Follow-Up

When will my blood test results be available?

The availability of blood test results depends on the type of testing. Your healthcare provider is the right person to tell you when you will receive results. Some blood test results are available typically within a few hours. On the other hand, results for genetic tests can take 1-2 days or more.

A note from Redcliffe Labs

If you are searching for a trusted lab near me for a blood test, look no further. Healthy India Ki Trusted Lab—Redcliffe Labs is committed to quality, customer satisfaction, and making healthcare accessible and efficient. 

You should not avoid a blood test, especially if your doctor suggests it. It is a valuable diagnostic tool that helps them monitor your overall health and diagnose a medical condition. Even when you have symptoms like diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue, a doctor may recommend a blood test as a part of a routine physical examination.

Remember, an abnormal blood test result does not mean you have a serious medical condition. Additional blood tests may help confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will evaluate your test report to decide on the treatment.

Routine check-ups, specialized screenings, and genetic testing are available at affordable rates with a home sample collection. Our lab experts use cutting-edge technology for precise and reliable test results, and expert pathology services can help you understand your test results. 

Call us at 898 898 87 87 or download a Redcliffe Labs mobile app to book a blood test online. The reports are typically available within deadlines. 

Step-by-step information on booking a test online: 

1. Visit the official Redcliffe Labs website: https://redcliffelabs.com/.
2. Browse or search for the specific test you need. 
3. Add the test to the cart. 
4. Complete the payment process online.

Note: You will receive confirmation through SMS and WhatsApp.