In modern medicine, tests analyzing samples blood samples are commonly used to diagnose conditions. The part of medicine that deals with drawing blood is called phlebotomy. Medical assistants who have trained in phlebotomy often have the responsibility of taking blood samples and either performing tests on the samples themselves or sending the samples out for other medical professionals or facilities to test. Here are six of the most common blood tests used in modern healthcare.
CBC is an examination of the red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. RBCs supply oxygen to the cells in your body, and a low count might indicate anemia. WBCs provide defense against infection. An abnormal count might mean an infection or inflammation. Platelets are the microscopic cells that help keep your blood from clotting. An abnormal count might suggest bleeding disorders.
Metabolic panels are a series of tests looking at different parts of your metabolism (or organ system) function.
Basic metabolic panel tests are done to look for glucose (blood sugar), calcium, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate), and waste products of your blood. These tests also look for waste products of your kidneys (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) to judge kidney function.
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) can incorporate all indicators of the baseline metabolic panel plus liver enzyme markers (amino acid, leukotriene, and AST). The clinical use of CMP is to provide an integrated picture of organ health, especially liver function.
A lipid panel test (also called a cholesterol panel or lipid profile) measures the various fats in your blood to gauge your risk of cardiovascular disease. The total cholesterol level, LDL (bad cholesterol) level, HDL (good cholesterol) level, and triglycerides may also be screened. High levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides may increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, while HDL prevents the arteries from clogging.
The hemoglobin A1C test (HbA1c or A1c) measures how much glucose you’ve eaten in the last 2 to 3 months. It’s one of the most important tests used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes and to look at how well diabetes treatments are working.
An electrolyte panel tests for sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate in your blood. These are electrically charged minerals that help regulate fluid balance in your body, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and pH levels. Having too much or too little of these minerals can show signs of kidney disease or high blood pressure.
Thyroid function tests are done to look at the health of your thyroid gland. A common test is called TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). If your TSH levels are high, you have either an underactive or an overactive thyroid.
Because testing blood samples can give medical professionals such a wealth of information, they’re extremely common modern healthcare. If you’re considering becoming a medical assistant, choosing a training program that includes instruction in phlebotomy can give you an advantage in the job market. Join IMBC’s Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy program and get the in-demand skills you need to start work in a growing field!
