Blood test: which values reveal what?

The body fluid that is examined most frequently is blood. due to the fact that specific changes in the blood components or blood count can identify many diseases. Doctors can categorize the severity of a condition using these numbers.

What blood is made of ?

Special cells and protein-rich blood plasma, which transports these cells in the cardiovascular system, make up blood. The circulatory system of the body primarily pushes it through the blood vessels.

The length of all blood vessels in humans is over 100,000 kilometers. According to a general rule, the adult human body’s vascular system holds about five to six liters of blood, or about 70 to 80 milliliters per kilogram of body weight (roughly 7% of body weight).

Blood is the body fluid that is most frequently examined because certain changes in the blood components in the blood count can identify many diseases and classify them according to their severity.

Small and large blood counts

The best way to regularly check your health and monitor things like blood lipid levels, inflammation levels, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies is with a blood test.

With a small or large blood count, important parts of the blood are looked at to figure out what diseases might be present.

Measurements are made of hemoglobin, platelets, thrombocytes, and the red and white blood cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes). Monocytes, granulocytes, and lymphocytes are also included in the complete blood count.

You should pay attention to these values.

Blood fat levels and blood sugar levels

The doctor checks the amount of fat and sugar in the blood on a regular basis to find or prevent diabetes, obesity, or arteriosclerosis.

Blood lipid levels that are measured are LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. In rare cases, omega-3 and omega-6 are also measured.

Fasting blood sugar is calculated using glucose for the analysis of blood sugar levels. The HbA1c level is an indicator of long-term blood sugar levels.

Inflammation values

Certain diseases usually involve inflammation in the body. There are also specific markers for this that a blood analysis can reveal:

• CRP: The plasma protein CRP is part of the body’s defense system. The level of CRP in the blood rises with infection, inflammation, and tissue damage.
• Leukocytes—the white blood cells They are so called because they appear white under the microscope. They play an important role in defending against pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, but also against foreign bodies or endogenous tissue that has to be eliminated.
• ESR—Blood sedimentation rate (ESR) measures how quickly the red blood cells in the blood flow down.

Thyroid

A diseased thyroid is associated with chronic fatigue, depression, being overweight if it’s underactive, and underweight if it’s overactive.

The most important values in a thyroid test are:

• fT3 (Triiodothyronine)
• fT4 (thyroxine)
• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

Vitamins

For vitamins D, A, and B12 in particular, a blood analysis in the form of a vitamin deficiency test is performed. Folic acid levels in women should also be checked. The measurement of additional vitamins depends on the symptom. For instance, vitamin deficiencies frequently result in fatigue. 85 percent of people lack enough vitamin D.

Given that the body produces vitamin D on its own under the influence of sunlight, checking the blood level of this vitamin during the dark season may make sense. In particular, vitamin D is crucial for healthy skin, hair, and muscles.

Also, not getting enough vitamin D can make you more likely to get sick or have neurological problems like migraines. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

Folic acid and vitamin B12 are crucial for growth, blood formation, cell division, and nerve function. It can make sense to have the vitamin B12 level checked when eating strictly vegan as well as when eating an unbalanced diet. During pregnancy, folic acid is especially crucial for the development of the baby’s nervous system.

Minerals

Minerals are also important for a functioning metabolism. Symptoms such as tiredness or muscle cramps are known in the case of a magnesium deficiency.

Mineral deficiency is widespread. More than 90% of people do not get enough iodine, every fourth man does not get enough magnesium, and 75% of women do not get enough iron. In a blood analysis, the minerals iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and calcium are most frequently measured.