EMDEON
Your doctor has ordered blood tests
Doctors often order laboratory tests as an aid in diagnosing disease in their patients.
The following blood tests are some of the most commonly ordered tests and panels (groupings of tests) :
Complete Blood Count
The CBC provides your doctor with vital information about the important cells in your blood. The red blood cells contain hemoglobin and deliver oxygen to your body. The white blood cells are part of your immune system and respond to infection or stress. Platelets are tiny cells which help your blood to clot normally.
Electrolyte Panel
Normal blood contains natural ions which are critical to your health. This panel allows your doctor to tell if these ions are properly balanced.
Lipid Panel
This panel measures your triglyceride and cholesterol levels including both “good” cholesterol (HDL) and “bad” cholesterol (LDL). These levels allow your doctor to determine your risk for preventable heart attack and stroke.
Hepatic Function Panel
This series of tests tells your doctor how well your liver is functioning. The liver plays an important role in nutrition and in removing natural toxins from your blood.
Basic Metabolic Panel
This panel measures your blood sugar (glucose) along with a number of other natural ions and proteins. These allow your doctor to check the function of your kidneys and to test for diabetes.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
This group of tests combines both the Hepatic & Metabolic Panels and allows your doctor to assess the health of your liver and kidneys. These vital organs are involved in nutrition, blood purification, and in maintaining your body’s natural chemical balance.
Prostate-Specific Antigen
PSA is normally produced in small amounts by a man’s prostate gland. An abnormally high level of PSA in the blood can be a sign of prostate cancer.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TSH is an important hormone in controlling the function of your thyroid gland. Abnormally high or low levels of TSH can be a sign of thyroid disease.
Iron
Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin. This allows your blood to deliver oxygen to your body. A low iron level can lead to anemia and may be a sign of abnormal bleeding.