When medical professionals need to gather information about your general health or diagnose a disease, blood tests are one of the most reliable tools they use. Many people also choose to have blood work done privately, even when they don’t suspect that anything is wrong.
However, there are many different types of blood tests and it is unclear how often people should be getting them. What regularity best balances the money and time spent on the tests with the probability of an important diagnosis?
This short guide will break down the essential things that you should know about blood testing.
What are the most useful types of blood tests?
Blood tests come in many different varieties and their usefulness depends on what doctors are looking for. They will order different types of blood tests depending on the symptoms you go to them with.
However, assuming that you have no symptoms and you or your doctor only want a general idea of your overall health, then there are two main tests which are used.
CBC
CBC stands for ‘complete blood count,’ and this is a test which looks at all kinds of compounds found in your blood, including white and red blood cells, haemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. Deviation from normal levels in these things is potentially a signal for infections, diseases, cancer, conditions such as anaemia, and even nutritional deficiency.
BMP
The basic metabolic panel test, on the other hand, looks at the elements that make up your blood. Among these are sodium, glucose, and electrolytes. This test helps give experts an insight into the health of different areas of your body, including your heart, muscles, bones, and organs.
CBC and BMP tests are both fairly broad tests which look at a range of different things and can provide valuable insight into your overall health and well-being. They can help highlight areas of concern, and your doctor can often suggest lifestyle changes, supplements, or medication that could help you. If you are thinking about having any types of blood test performed regularly, then these are two you should definitely consider.
How often should I have bloodwork done?
Private blood tests can be costly, and many people find themselves asking whether they really need to do them frequently. Should you only go for a blood test when you think something is wrong, or should you do them regularly like dental checkups?
The answer is that you should have them done on a regular schedule, but exactly how often is slightly complicated because there is no schedule that fits everyone. As a baseline, everybody should try to have blood tests done once per year. This is usually enough to get a clear picture of whether your health is improving or declining and to spot illnesses relatively early.
However, more frequent tests might be best if you have a pre-existing condition, such as heart disease or hypertension.
Conclusion
Blood tests are a useful way to assess your general health, and they can help doctors diagnose diseases and monitor conditions too. If you’re relatively young and in good health, try to do them yearly. If you have a health condition, speak with your doctor about the best frequency for you.
