Blood tests are part ofroutine health screenings.
Needing a blood test doesn’t necessarily mean that your healthcare provider suspects something is wrong.
In many cases, blood tests are used to confirm that your health is good.
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This article breaks down common blood tests and explains what they mean.
Thethyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) test is typically done first.
High TSH typically means you havehypothyroidism.
If you get this result, you may be given aT4 blood testto confirm a diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
Conversely, low TSH typically means you havehyperthyroidism.
To confirm this diagnosis, your provider may order aT3 blood test.
Prostate
Prostate screening involves a blood test called aprostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
PSA is a hormone made in the prostate gland by both normal and cancer cells.
Most PSA is in semen, but small amounts are also found in blood.
Higher levels of PSA mean there is a higher chance of having prostate cancer.
Most males whodo nothave prostate cancer have PSA levels under 4 ng/mL (nanograms per millimeter).
PSA levels between 4 to 10 are considered the borderline range.
About one in four people who fall within this range have prostate cancer.
All males should get routine prostate cancer screenings starting at age 55.
For most people, one screening every two to three years is enough.
What Is a Normal Blood Sugar Level in the Body?
It depends on the blood test.
After fasting, a glucose level of 99 mg/dL or lower is considered normal.
An hCG test can detect pregnancy as soon as 10 days after conception.
Disordered clotting ability can cause problems in surgery, during which bleeding is often expected.
This test may also be used to monitor blood-thinning medications, such aswarfarin.
Elevated numbers can indicate liver damage or poor liver function.
The results are used to determine if any changes in ventilator options are necessary.
A typical ABG includes:
ABG interpretation is very challenging and is typically done by physicians or providers.
ABO Typing
ABO typing is the medical term for determining the patient’s blood pop in.
If bacteria are growing, it is likely that the same bacteria is growing in your blood.
If your healthcare provider orders a blood test, don’t panic.
Blood tests are commonplace in medical care and are often done to confirm that all is well.
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University of California San Francisco.Estradiol blood test.
University of California San Francisco.Serum progesterone.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes tests.
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Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) blood test.
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University of Rochester Medical Center.Arterial blood gas (ABG).
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