By rob eagar Medical or other emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. What’s important is that these emergencies are dealt with, on time and accurately. One of the emergencies could be getting a blood test done for rapid diagnosis and treatment of the problem. In that case, it is crucial that blood testing labs are open for service any time.
24 hour blood testing labs are a requirement for health care professionals as well as common individuals, as they can be needed anytime. So it’s important that you also have basic information regarding what blood testing types and procedures look like.
Blood Testing Types
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
CBC is a common blood test that gives an overall idea about an individual’s blood components such as a count of their red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. It also measures the haemoglobin levels and hematocrit and other several types of cells in the blood. The doctors order follow-up tests to confirm abnormal levels and a possible diagnosis, based on the results
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
BMP is a test used to measure and assess the presence of several compounds and chemical substances in the blood. These substances are the common electrolytes such as calcium, glucose, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine. These tests indicate issues like kidney disease or diabetes.
Lipid Panel
This test assesses the level of cholesterol present in the body which is an important indicator of whether the individual possess the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. It measures two types of cholesterol:
- high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol
- low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol
Cancer
Different types of tests are done to detect different cancer causing imbalances. The type of tests that you need is recommended by your doctor, depending on the kind of cancer he or she has suspicions about. Some of these tests include:
- CBC
- Alpha-FetoProtein
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
- Beta 2- Microglobulin
- CA125
- CA 15-3
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
- (CMP) 14 test Chemistry Panel
STDs
Some sexually transmitted diseases like herpes, HIV, syphilis , hepatitis C can be tested using blood tests. STD blood tests are not always accurate, because some diseases like HIV might take a month to be detected after the person makes contact with it. So doctors might suggest a follow up test after some period of time, just to be sure.
There are many other 24 hour blood testing services available like:
- Anemia
- Pregnancy tests
- Thyroid
- Blood enzyme tests
Blood Testing Methods
Finger stick: this is the most common method of testing blood, by pricking your fingertip with a minimal invasive needle to collect a drop of blood. The tiny blood spot is saved on a special paper strip, which is sent to the lab for testing
Heel stick: in this, the pricking is done on the heels with the use of a small needle. This is a common practice with newborn babies to test their blood.
Arterial blood test: as blood in arteries carry more oxygen than the veins, this test method is used to detect the oxygen level in your body by collecting blood from arteries. The common sites in the body from where the blood is collected are wrist, arm, or groin area. This method might feel a bit more painful than the other two methods.
When do you need blood testing
Regular check up: It might be time for your annual checkup and your doctor might recommend getting regular tests done like CBC or BMP. These blood tests ensure how well your organs are working, is your immune system strong enough and overall check of your health.
Screening test: These are the tests recommended before showing symptoms. Doctors recommend these tests to catch the potential health issues that an individual might become vulnerable to.
Diagnostic tests: You might be showing some alarming symptoms or might be at risk of developing a certain disease. In such cases doctors suggest blood tests to figure out and diagnose the condition you might be developing.
To monitor chronic disease: Blood tests are an essential source of information to assess the person who has a chronic disease. It helps examine the condition of the disease as well as assess whether the ongoing treatment is effective or not.
Blood Testing Procedure
Typically a lab professional, also commonly known as phlebotomist performs the blood test in the following ways:
- Washes his hands and cleans the area that needs to be injected- usually the arm, with an antiseptic liquid.
- Then they tie a stretchable rubber band, known as a tourniquet, around your arms to make the vein visible.
- They might also ask you to form a fist, which helps in blood accumulation
- Then the needle, attached with a tube or vial, is inserted in your vein
- When enough blood is collected in the tube they take the tourniquet off and put a bandage on the injected area.
Fasting Before Blood Tests
Many tests require you to fast before getting the procedure done. Your healthcare provider will suggest you if you need to avoid eating or drinking anything other than water before the test, to get accurate results. Some of the tests that require you to fast are:
- blood glucose test
- liver function test
- iron level blood test
- basic metabolic panel
- renal function panel
- Lipid panel (HDL and LDL)
How Can I Read My Blood Test Report?
While it is always best to let your doctor read your report for comprehensive examination and accurate diagnose, however you can also read your report by looking for the following indicators:
Quantitative Test Results: When a test evaluates the concentration of a substance in your blood, such as cholesterol, the findings are typically expressed as numerical values.
Abnormal Markers: Laboratory reports often flag results that deviate from the standard range. These deviations may be denoted by symbols like “H” for high, “L” for low, or “WNL,” meaning “within normal limits.” If your test results are significantly outside the normal range, they may be highlighted with an asterisk or accompanied by specific comments. In such cases, your healthcare provider will usually reach out to discuss next steps or recommend further testing.
Reference Ranges: Each laboratory defines its own set of reference ranges for different tests. These ranges are displayed alongside your results, offering context for understanding whether your values fall within, above, or below the expected norms.
Relief With 24 Hour Blood Testing Services
A blood test can be needed anytime. In case of emergencies, whether it’s a medical emergency, an employment requirement or you have applied for a document and they require some blood tests, it is crucial that these services are available at any time. That’s why 24 hour blood testing (24 hour blood test) labs are available to provide you relief in your emergencies.