Blood Test Overview

A blood test, also known as blood work, is among the most common diagnostic tests doctors prescribe. It involves drawing blood from a patient's veins and sending it to a laboratory for testing. Blood tests look for different hormones, elements, or the presence of antibodies in the blood. Each corresponding element being tested for has a normal level of presence in a person’s blood.

A higher or lower level can indicate health problems. Similarly, the presence of certain viruses or antibodies in the blood can indicate illnesses. Blood tests often help doctors diagnose conditions and offer treatment to patients. However, other diagnostic tests and imaging tests may often be required to confirm a diagnosis following blood tests.

Why Are Blood Tests Prescribed?

Doctors prescribe blood tests both as part of routine preventive healthcare checkups and for symptomatic diagnosis. Patients can also opt to get blood test at home, making the blood sample collection from home process convenient. There are four main reasons why doctors prescribe blood tests:

• Diagnosis: Using blood test results to understand the cause of symptoms and create a treatment plan.
• Prognosis: Understanding disease progression and how it is expected to affect the body over time.
• Monitoring: Regular blood tests may be required to monitor a patient's recovery and treatment efficacy.
• Screening: ABlood tests can be used together to screen for conditions like viral infections or sexually transmitted diseases.

Blood tests are one of the most effective tools for doctors to understand the internal functioning of a patient’s body. They have few risks and are among the safest diagnostic tests.

Blood Tests Included

There are thousands of blood tests for specific purposes and health condition diagnoses. Some of the most common blood tests include:

• Complete Blood Count Test
• Haemoglobin Test
• Lipid Profile Test
• Thyroid Profile Test
• Tropical Fever Panel Test
• Urine Routine
• Kidney Function Test (KFT)
• Liver Function Test (LFT)
• HbA1C (Glycosylated Haemoglobin) Test
• Glucose Fasting Test
• Vitamin D25 Hydroxy Test

Components of Blood Tests

A blood test report presents the overall count of the Complete Blood Count (CBC) which includes red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets to find infections, anemia, or problems with clotting. Liver function tests look at enzymes like ALT and AST, while kidney function tests look at levels of creatinine and urea. T3, T4, and TSH are thyroid hormones that help doctors figure out how well your metabolism is working.

Preparation and Perquisites

The procedure for performing a blood test at home or a diagnostic center is the same. Patients sit upright with their arms stretched out, and the sample collection area is wiped with an antiseptic. The patient makes a fist to encourage blood flow, and a syringe is used to draw blood from a vein and store it in an airtight vial, which is then sent for testing.

Home Sample Collection for Blood Test with Aster Labs

At Aster Labs, we offer home sample collection services to make the process convenient and comfortable for patients, minimizing pain during the procedure. Our experts carefully collect blood samples in the comfort of your home.

Home Sample Collection for Blood Test with Aster Labs

At Aster Labs, we offer home sample collection services to make the process convenient and comfortable for patients, minimizing pain during the procedure. Our experts carefully collect blood samples in the comfort of your home.

FAQs

1) What are the four important types of blood test?

Ans: Thyroid test, Lipid Profile, Full Blood Count, and Urea and Electrolytes are the four important types of blood test.

2) How do blood testing services at home work?

Ans: Blood testing services at home involve scheduling an appointment online or via phone. A certified technician visits your home, collects the required samples, and sends them to a lab for testing.

3) How soon I will get the blood test report?

Ans: You will receive the blood test report within 24 hrs.

4) Is blood sample collection from home safe?

Ans: Yes. Blood testing services follow strict hygiene protocols, use sterile equipment, and ensure proper handling and transport of samples to the lab.