Blood Work Specialist

What are some of the more common blood tests, and what do they check?

There are many different tests that can be performed using blood samples. Many health care professionals also include tests on urine in the same grouping as blood testing, since by-products in urine similarly reveal much about a patient’s health. Some of the more common tests that can be completed through blood and urine include:

• CBC, or complete blood count: This reveals information about general health, such as nutrition status, presence of infections, or anemia.
• BMP and CMP: These basic or comprehensive metabolic panels check for disorders such as diabetes or kidney disease, blood sugar and protein, electrolytes, and body pH balance.
• Electrolyte panels: These check for excess and deficit of sodium and potassium.
• Glucose testing: This reveals and helps control diabetes, prediabetes, and hypoglycemia. Diabetics may test glucose daily.
• hCG testing: This confirms and monitors pregnancy from urine or blood samples.
• Lipid profiles: This checks for the presence of fatty acids such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
• PSA: Also called prostate specific antigen, this screens and monitors prostate cancer.

How is a blood test taken?

Typically, blood tests draw from a vein inside the patient’s elbow or on the back of the wrist. A tourniquet prevents blood from flowing out of the arm, filling the veins, and making it easier for the technician to find a good collection point. The sample point is disinfected with an alcohol wipe and the technician inserts a needle into the vein. This needle may be connected to a syringe or directly to collection bottles. The needle may cause a pinching sensation, but many patients don’t feel any pain. Very occasionally, patients experience an ache or bruising in the area after testing, but bleeding should be minimal.

Are there variations in the blood test procedure?

Some tests require fasting for a certain time period prior to the test. Others require several samples taken over a period of time. Also, a special needle may be used so that there’s no need for re-insertion each time. If a test requires only a small sample, fingertips or earlobes may be used.