A blood test at home is generally conducted to determine the health of your body through sample testing, including RBC count, WBC count, and the amount of platelets. If you want to evaluate your overall health and get complete health insights, you should take a blood test.
Nowadays, people usually have a busy schedule, whether managing business responsibilities or having a full-time job. People don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle due to their work life. But what’s the reason? Many individuals avoid going to laboratories and clinics in order to avoid the hassle of traveling and waiting times and save their time and money.
As we all know, technological advancements have changed the whole game, and so have laboratory services. Now, you can get a lab test at your home, regardless of the time or day; the medical providers who deliver lab services at home have an expert staff who can simply visit your location to collect samples for your blood test.
Why Are Blood Tests Conducted?
Blood tests are performed to monitor your overall well-being. They evaluate the blood cells, proteins, essential chemicals, and various vital elements in your body. Getting your blood tested also helps in navigating specific diseases and medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes.
A blood test at home can provide a clear picture of the functionality of your organs, such as kidneys, liver, heart, and thyroid. It aids in identifying how well your overall immune system is and its ability to fight infections that enter your body.
8 Common Types of Blood Tests
Our bodies are complicated in that every part of our body needs to be tested differently, which ultimately leads to the categorizing of the blood tests. Not everyone needs to get all the tests. Various blood tests are performed to determine health conditions; some common ones are listed below.
1. CBC Test
CBC, or complete blood count test, is one of the most common blood tests people usually take. It is a comprehensive test that measures the exact levels of ten essential substances of every fundamental cell in your blood. The CBC is typically used to assess RBC (red blood cells), WBC (white blood cells), and platelet levels in your blood. Many doctors recommend taking a CBC every three months to keep a check on your health and maintain it accordingly. Taking a CBC test can prevent you from anemia, leukemia, and other blood-related disorders.
2. Vitamin Tests
A blood test at home can also be an excellent choice to assess the accurate amount of vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and iron levels, which are highly significant for ideal health. Nowadays, due to the lack of a nutritious diet, individuals lack these vital nutrients and vitamins, so it is important to examine these levels to decide whether they need to take them externally or if a healthy diet can do the job. If you take a regular blood test, you can easily prevent multiple common diseases, including anemia, fractures, and acute or chronic pain.
3. Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
A basic metabolic test is a specialized test that can accurately examine the liver and kidney functions and measure electrolyte and glucose levels in your body. It measures the eight major components in your blood, including BUN (blood urea nitrogen), calcium, chloride, sodium, glucose, and potassium levels in your bloodstream. Taking a BMP can quickly detect any kind of disorder, such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney stones, electrolyte imbalances, and dehydration. This way, you can get early treatment to avoid further complications.
4. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
A CMP, or comprehensive metabolic panel, is an advanced version of BMP. It includes more detailed testing of various components and additional body assessment. A CMP covers extensive testing of the liver and measures protein levels in depth. It includes all the tests in BMP, such as AST (Aspartate aminotransferase), albumin, alkaline phosphatase, and ALT (alanine aminotransferase). A CMP can identify major kidney and liver diseases and measure protein deficiencies.
5. Lipid Profile
People usually don’t take heart or stroke risks seriously, so they focus on their diet. Nowadays, diet intake increases cholesterol levels to the point that it ends up giving a heart attack.
That’s why experts recommend taking a lipid profile. A lipid profile includes an evaluation of total cholesterol levels, including HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and triglycerides. It helps in navigating high cholesterol levels, which can ultimately cause a cardiovascular disease or heart attack.
6. Thyroid Test
If you have a swollen neck, you must take a thyroid test. A thyroid test assesses thyroid hormone levels to identify your thyroid health. The thyroid test includes comprehensive testing of T3, T4, and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels in your body. It helps in the early detection of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. If the thyroid hormone levels are low, it means you’ve hypothyroidism, and if the levels are too raised, then you are having hyperthyroidism. However, testing is the only reliable way to evaluate and make informed decisions.
7. HBA1c Test
If you’re facing frequent fatigue and have symptoms of diabetes, then it is recommended to take an HBA1c test. The HBA1c test is well-known for determining a precise average of blood sugar levels over the past three months. The test includes glycated hemoglobin, which is highly beneficial in detecting diabetes and tracking exact blood sugar levels. Early identification of diabetes can help you treat it, and you can consult a medical professional to plan your diet and medications to avoid complications.
8. LFTs (Liver function tests)
The liver is one of the most essential organs in the human body, and it cannot be neglected in any way. Your liver health decides how well your immune system is functioning. Getting liver function tests evaluates your liver’s overall health and whether it works properly. The liver function tests include ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), bilirubin, and alanine phosphate tests. These tests are covered in the liver function tests to detect major liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. As you know, early detection leads to prevention and good treatment, so you must take a liver function test.
Read also: Understanding the Legal Implications of Health Sharing Plans for Small Businesses
The Final Words
In conclusion, taking a blood test at home is the best way to monitor your overall health while treating any kind of disease that may be identified in the test. Unfortunately, people have avoided getting their blood tests for years due to the hassle and inconvenience caused by traveling and waiting times. But not anymore, as an at-home blood testing service helps you get a blood test at the convenience of your own home.
