Blood tests are simple medical procedures that you may not have to think about much until you actually have to go through one. If you’re getting one for the first time, however, you may be overwhelmed by all of the information that your doctor will probably give you about them in advance. Here are some of the most important questions that you should ask your doctor before your blood test from any lab like Chughtai Lab so that you can be ready and comfortable when it’s time to get tested.
Learn to Read Lab Tests
The results of a blood test from lab like Chughtai lab can have serious consequences, so it’s important to know what they mean. Learning how to read lab tests is easy; just follow these tips!
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
This blood test measures your electrolytes, kidney function, and liver health. These are commonly tested: Glucose (blood sugar), BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatinine (an indicator of kidney function), phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, carbon dioxide levels and bicarbonate. Low levels in these indicators can signal diabetes or other health conditions like arthritis. Elevated levels may signal heart failure or an increased risk for stroke.
Hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol and heart health
High cholesterol is associated with atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in your arteries that can lead to heart attack or stroke. But you may have high cholesterol and not even know it! There are many blood tests from the Chughtai lab used to determine if you have high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin test), diabetes, prediabetes
This is a blood test from Chughtai lab that shows average glucose levels over a 3-month period. A normal HbA1c level is less than 6 percent; higher numbers mean more glucose was present in your bloodstream for a longer period of time.
Kidney Function Tests
These tests check how well your kidneys are working. If they don’t work properly, waste products can build up in your blood and make you sick. There are a number of different tests that doctors can use to test kidney function. Some of these tests will tell you how much urine is being produced, while others measure chemicals that can be found in your blood or urine. Still other tests examine what happens when your kidneys receive a certain stimulus, such as a drug or an injury to one of them.
Liver Function Tests
These tests measure liver enzymes in your blood. Elevated enzyme levels can signal liver damage. These tests are used to detect and diagnose problems with your liver, such as hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and other diseases. The most common test is called ALT (alanine aminotransferase).
Thyroid Function Tests
To help identify your risk of developing an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, your doctor will likely run blood tests from Chughtai lab for levels of thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Abnormal TSH levels are linked to both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Elevated levels of T4, on the other hand, suggest you may have a pituitary tumor.
Vitamin D tests for bone health and immunity protection
Vitamin D plays a key role in our immune system by helping to regulate T-cell production, which fight off infections and disease. It also plays a role in maintaining healthy bones. The easiest way to ensure that you’re getting enough vitamin D is to spend 15 minutes outdoors every day, but if you don’t get regular sunlight exposure, ask your doctor about getting tested for vitamin D deficiency. Your results will help determine whether or not you need supplementation.
Sex hormone levels and fertility hormones
Sex hormones are critical for a healthy libido and can even affect your overall health. These tests measure testosterone, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone. A low sperm count or an abnormal sperm morphology may indicate low levels of testosterone; abnormally high levels could indicate testicular cancer.
Assessing inflammation with C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, fibrinogen etc.
Inflammation is a vital component of your immune system. When you get sick, it’s inflammation that works to fight off pathogens. However, chronic inflammation caused by poor diet, stress and a host of other lifestyle factors can do significant damage to your body and is linked to heart disease, diabetes and more. For example, research published in 2005 suggested CRP levels that are too high may increase risk for cardiovascular disease as well as cause arterial damage independent of traditional risk factors like cholesterol levels.
