TheDexterians
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Tests
The CBC, or complete blood count, test is the most common blood test. The CBC measures the amount of red and white blood cells, the average size of a red blood cell, the amount of hemoglobin, the amount of blood that is made of red blood cells, and the amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell. It's also common that the amount of platelets is included in the cbc as well. The test is performed to diagnose disorders and infections, detect any abnormalities such as blood clotting problems, and evaluate the production of red blood cells. The test is done by taking a sample of blood from the patient and then the blood is sent to be analyzed. The chart blow indicates the normal results for an adult.
A hematocrit test is a blood test that measures the amount of red blood cells in comparison to all the blood. This test is dependent upon two factors which are the amount of red blood cells and the size. A hematocrit is usually a part of a complete blood count test. Just like a cbc, a blood sample is taken and analyzed. As for results, normal results for males are between 40% and 50%, and for females, it is 36% to 45%. High hematocrit levels indicate dehydration and low hematocrit levels may possibly indicate anemia. Any abnormal levels can also be a sign or clue to a bone marrow or blood disorder.
A hemoglobin electophoresis test is a blood test that checks the types of hemoglobin in the blood. It checks for hemoglobin A, F, and A2. Hemoglobin A is the most common type found in adults. Hemoglobin F is found in fetuses and newborns. This hemoglobin is replaced by hemoglobin A after birth. Hemoglobin A2 is found in tiny amounts in adults. Some other types of hemoglobin signfify a disease or abnormality. Hemoglobin S is found in sickle cell disease. Hemoglobin C does help carry oxygen well. Hemoglobin E is found in people of southeast asian descent.
A fibrinogen test is a test that tells the amount of fibrinogen in the blood. Fibrinogen is a protein made by the liver, the protein helps stop bleeding by helping blood clots to form. The normal results for this test is 200-400 milligrams per deciliter. Abnormal results can lead to a fibrinogen deficiency, hemorrhage, and fibrinolysis. Hemorrhage is another one of a disease in a group of blood clotting diseases that prevents blood from clotting. Fibrinolysis is a process that keeps natural blood clots from growing and causing problems.
A lipid profile test is a test that tells you about four main types of lipids: the total amount of cholesterol, the bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotien and triglycerides which is a form of fat in the blood. Bad cholesterol can clog arteries and cause blood clots which leads to heart attacks. Good cholesterol helps decrease blockage in the arteries. The following picture analyzes the results:
A glucose test is a blood glucose test that measures the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. This test is performed because you may have diabetes or to moniter patients who have diabetes. For the test to be performed, a blood sample is taken and analyzed. For results, a result between 70 and 100 mg/dL is normal. A level of 100-125 mg/dL may mean you are prediabetic and have a chance of type 2 diabetes. Anything higher than that means you probably have diabetes. Some other conditions that cause high glucose levels are an overactive thyroid gland, pancreatic cancer and rare tumors.
Definitions:
Clinical chemistry - Chemical processes to measure the levels of chemical components in body fluids. The most common components are blood and urine.
Reference ranges - A set of values that are established as normal maximums or normal minimums for an analysis test; a usual range of test values for a healthy population.
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References:
Clinical Chemistry. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine, based in Baltimore, Maryland. Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/pathology/clinical_chemistry_85,P00953/
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Get the Facts About This Test. (n.d.).MedicineNet. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from http://www.medicinenet.com/complete_blood_count/article.htm
Complete blood count (CBC). (n.d.).Results. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complete-blood-count/basics/results/prc-20014088
Fibrinogen: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003650.htm
Glucose test - blood: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003482.htmCopy & Paste | Parenthetical
Hematocrit levels. (n.d.). the-healthcare.org. Retrieved April 14, 2017, from http://the-healthcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/HematocritLevels.jpg
Hematocrit: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003646.htm
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Test, Results: Types & Levels of Hemoglobin. (n.d.).WebMD. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hemoglobin-electrophoresis
reference range. (n.d.).TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/reference+rangeCopy & Paste | Parenthetical
Tests for High Cholesterol (Lipid Panel). (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved April 26, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/tests-for-high-cholesterol-lipid-panel
Types of Blood Tests. (n.d.). - NHLBI, NIH. Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt/types.html
