Medical Health Tests Blood Tests

The blood of an individual can be used to test a number of different conditions. In almost every case, the medical expert or the physician who suggests a blood test in an individual usually mentions on the prescription form about the kind of blood tests to be done.

Importance of Conducting Blood Tests

• Helping to determine the presence of certain medical conditions or to rule out any medical disorder especially if the symptoms are pointing out to a particular condition.
• Keeping a track on the natural process and severity of any medical disorder; for example the blood test may be suggested to check if a particular medical condition is responding to the treatment.
• Monitoring the body's functions especially liver and kidney reactions to certain medications.
• Determining the blood group before receiving a blood transfusion.

Blood test results are usually dependent upon the reason for taking a specific test.

Common Kinds of Blood Tests

• Complete blood count - determining the number of red and white corpuscles in a blood sample, in order to check for deficiency of red blood cells, and similar medical disorders which has an effect on the blood cells.
• Blood chemistry such as chemo immunology, which is a chemical study of antigens and antibodies.
• Renal function.
• Liver mapping.
• Hormonal balances.
• Glucose in the bloodstream (sugar) level.
• Blood coagulation tests.
• Tests for infections and inflammations.
• HDL and LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
• To keep a tab on the effects of certain medications to ascertain the individual is taking the correct dosage.
• Blood grouping.

Common Manner of Drawing Blood

The most common manner of drawing blood for a blood test is through venipuncture or the puncture of a vein, located inside the individual's elbow or at the back of the wrist. Venipuncture is believed to be a comparatively non-invasive technique of obtaining a blood sample or blood cells as well as extracellular fluid (plasma, proteins and electrolytes) from the body for medical investigation.

As blood courses through the body, it works as a vehicle that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the different parts of the body, as well as is instrumental in pulling out waste matter to the excretory organs for disposal. Hence, the status of the blood flowing through the circulatory system impresses, or is affected, by many medical disorders. It is precisely on these grounds, that blood tests are believed to be the most commonly conducted medical tests for any kind of medical examination.