Why is Blood Testing Important?
Doctors and pharmacists use blood testing in Bebington & the Wirral, to check for any diseases and health conditions. They also check the health of your organs as well as the effectiveness of treatments.
Blood tests such as ours can specifically help pharmacists to:
– Evaluate the functionality of organs like the kidneys, thyroid, liver, and heart to tell if they are working
– Diagnose illnesses and health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, anaemia, as well as coronary heart disease
– Check for any risk factors for heart disease
– Find out if medicines you’re taking are working
– Check how well your blood is clotting
– To screen for STIs
– Check for allergies
– Check Covid immunity
– For male and female hormone profiles
– To look for the cause of specific symptoms, such as tiredness and fatigue
Understanding Blood Testing in Bebington & the Wirral
Blood tests are among the most common tests done by pharmacists. During routine check-ups, blood tests may be recommended to look out for any health complications in your body.
Most blood tests don’t need any special preparations. However, there are some that may require fasting for up to 8 to 12 hours prior to the test.
A little sample of blood will be removed from your body during a blood test. It’s normally drawn from a vein in the arm using a needle and syringe. A finger prick is also applicable in other cases.
Even though the procedure may cause temporary discomfort, it’s normally swift and easy. Usually, there are no bad reactions to drawing blood in most cases.
The drawn fluid is used in measuring various substances in your blood. The results can enable early detection of health complications in early stages, increasing chances of successful treatment.
Blood tests alone aren’t enough to diagnose a number of illnesses and medical problems. Your pharmacist may include other factors to confirm any diagnosis. These factors can be signs and symptoms, vital signs (breathing, blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate), and medical history.
Blood Testing Types
Some of the most used blood tests include:
– Blood chemistry tests
– Full blood count (FBC)
– Blood enzyme tests
– Blood tests to check for any heart disease risk
Complete Blood Count Blood Testing in Bebington & the Wirral
The full blood count (FBC) is among the most common blood tests used by doctors. It’s usually included in routine check-ups.
This test can help in the detection of blood diseases and disorders, like anaemia, clotting complications, infections, immune system complications, and blood cancers. This test measures a lot of different aspects of your blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin, platelets, mean corpuscular volume, and haematocrit.
Contact us to book a Full Blood Count test here:
Basic Metabolic Panel/Blood Chemistry Tests
The basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a combination of tests that measure various chemicals in the blood. The tests are normally performed on the fluid (plasma) region of blood. The tests can provide enough information about your muscles (the heart included), bones, and other organs like the liver and kidneys.
The BMP involves calcium, blood glucose, electrolyte tests, and blood tests for checking the kidney’s functionality. Some tests may also require preparations like fasting (not having any food) prior to testing, while others don’t. You will get the information you need on preparation before undergoing the tests.
Contact us to book your Blood Chemistry Test and find out more here:
Blood Enzyme Tests
Enzymes are chemicals that assist in controlling chemical reactions in the body. There are lots of blood enzyme tests. This section highlights blood enzyme tests used for detecting any heart complications, such as our Heart Health Profile Test. These include creatine kinase (CK) and troponin tests.
Contact us to book your Heart Health test or find out more here:
Blood Tests for Assessing the Risk of Heart Disease
A lipoprotein panel is a blood test used to detect any risks of coronary heart disease (CHD). This test checks for substances in your blood that have cholesterol.
A lipoprotein panel provides information about:
– Your cholesterol
– Your HDL (“good”) cholesterol. This kind of cholesterol helps in removing blockages in the arteries
– Triglycerides – a type of fat found in the blood
– Your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. This is the main cause of blockages and cholesterol build-up in the arteries
Unusual cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be signs of higher risks of CHD.
Contact us to book a cholesterol test or find out more here:
What To Expect After Blood Testing in Bebington & the Wirral
Normally, you won’t be required to do anything else after a blood test. You’ll just have to wait for the results, which may take a few minutes or up to a few weeks. Your pharmacist or doctor will update you on the waiting period and any other issues concerning your results.
Contact us to book your appointment today!
This blog post was written on behalf of The Pharmacy Bebington by Pharmacy Mentor.