The complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common and well-known blood tests. This test calculates the number of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.
If you want to request a routine blood test, the most common ones to consider are: complete blood count (CBC) basic metabolic panel.
Bottom Line. Many doctors recommend that you get blood work once per year, during the time of your annual physical. The three essential lab tests are routine blood work, A1C testing, and a lipid panel. These tests can provide a comprehensive insight into your current health status.
Overview. A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection and leukemia. A complete blood count test measures several components and features of your blood, including: Red blood cells, which carry oxygen.
A blood test is typically composed of three main tests: a complete blood count, a metabolic panel and a lipid panel.
Complete Blood Count (Hemogram)
Platelets. Hemoglobin (protein in RBCs) Hematocrit. Mean corpuscular volume.
It is useful in screening for infections, anemias, and other hematological abnormalities. Basic Metabolic Panel – The basic metabolic panel measures glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, electrolytes, and calcium.
Blood tests can be used for many different things, including to check cholesterol and blood glucose levels. These help monitor your risk of heart and circulatory diseases and diabetes, or how your condition is being managed. Tests for different chemicals and proteins can indicate how your liver or kidneys are working.
A full blood count test looks at the number, types and sizes of different cells in your blood, including: red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. white blood cells, which fight infection. platelets, which help blood to clot.
It's recommended that you get a blood test done at least once a year during your annual checkup. If you've got pre-existing conditions like hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes, you may need to increase your blood work every three or six months, depending on the recommendation of your provider.
Doctors recommend patients have routine blood tests at a diagnostic testing center at least once a year, at around the same time as other physical examinations. Medical practitioners require it to monitor your condition and detect illnesses early on.
Full blood count (FBC)
This can help give an indication of your general health, as well as provide important clues about certain health problems you may have. For example, an FBC may detect signs of: iron deficiency anaemia or vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. infection or inflammation.
In addition to detecting diseases early, blood tests help: Make a diagnosis and/or determine stages of a disease (i.e., cancer) Identify the risk of developing a disease in the future, including inherited conditions like breast cancer. Monitor organ function.
Aside from leukemia, most cancers cannot be detected in routine blood work, such as a CBC test. However, specific blood tests are designed to identify tumor markers, which are chemicals and proteins that may be found in the blood in higher quantities than normal when cancer is present.
Most blood tests aren't used on their own to diagnose cancer. But they can provide clues that may lead your health care team to make the diagnosis. For most types of cancer, a procedure to remove a sample of cells for testing is often needed to be sure.
Blood tests known as 'inflammatory markers' can detect inflammation in the body, caused by many diseases including infections, auto-immune conditions and cancers. The tests don't identify what's causing the inflammation: it might be as simple as a viral infection, or as serious as cancer.