In a blood test, medical professionals typically evaluate a variety of components to assess a patient's overall health or to diagnose specific conditions. Here's a detailed breakdown of what might be checked:
1.
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): To check for anemia or other conditions affecting oxygen transport.
2.
White Blood Cells (WBCs): To detect the presence of infections or immune system disorders.
3.
Platelets: Important for clotting and to evaluate for bleeding disorders.
4.
Hemoglobin: The oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells, checked for anemia.
5.
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): The average size of your RBCs, which can indicate nutritional deficiencies.
6.
Platelet Count: To assess the risk of bleeding or clotting.
7.
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures the amount of size variation of RBCs, which can be indicative of certain anemias.
8.
White Cell Differential: Breaks down the different types of WBCs to identify specific infections or conditions.
9. **Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) or C-Reactive Protein (CRP)**: Non-specific markers of inflammation in the body.
10.
Blood Clotting Tests: To check for bleeding or clotting disorders.
11.
Blood Chemistry: Including liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes, glucose levels, and more.
12.
Cholesterol Levels: To assess the risk of heart disease.
13.
Blood Typing: To determine a patient's blood type for transfusions or organ donations.
14.
Blood Glucose: To diagnose or monitor diabetes.
15.
Thyroid Function Tests: To evaluate thyroid hormone levels for thyroid disorders.
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