The Most Common Types of Blood Tests

Hemoglobin (Hb)

Hemoglobin (Hb) is the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to where it’s needed. A hemoglobin test measures how much of this protein you have, which reveals whether you are anemic or not.

Anemia usually means your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body or has abnormal red blood cells that don’t function properly. It can be caused by certain medications such as methotrexate, chemotherapy drugs, and even ibuprofen; diseases like sickle cell disease, thalassemia major, and chronic kidney disease may also cause anemia.

Vitamin B12 level

A Vitamin B12 level is a blood test that measures the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. It may be used to determine if you have symptoms related to low levels of vitamin B12, such as weakness and tingling or numbness in parts of your body (peripheral neuropathy), memory loss, confusion, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease.

You can also use it along with tests for homocysteine and methylmalonic acid to help rule out pernicious anemia – a condition where not enough healthy red blood cells are being made because of problems with absorption of vitamin B-12 from food. If these results show increased amounts of either compound, then more specific testing will likely be done. A typical result does not rule out disease; however, it makes acute inflammatory disorder less likely.

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE)

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is a blood test that helps doctors diagnose multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, and lymphoproliferative disorders.

In healthy people, most proteins in the fluid portion of your blood are contained within cells. However, in certain conditions, one or more proteins get into serum – resulting in abnormal levels when tested with SPE. For example, Multiple Myeloma – may have increased albumin due to decreased plasma cell mass; IgG monoclonal gammopathy – will show an increase in polyclonal gamma globulin syndromes, e.g., SLE.

Blood enzyme tests

Blood enzyme tests include amylase and lipase, which are enzymes that can indicate disease. Elevated levels may identify: Pancreatitis Gallstones Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas – a gland organ in your abdomen that secretes hormones and enzymes into your digestive system to help break down food; it also produces insulin (the hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar). When there’s too much fluid trapped within this organ, the cells become damaged due to a lack of oxygen or nutrients. It usually occurs when bile flows backward from where it should go – either due to blockage by gallstones or because the ducts get inflamed (pancreatic inflammatory process-PIP); Chronic pancreatitis may also be associated with diabetes mellitus or cystic fibrosis.

Complete blood count (CBC)

A complete blood count (CBC) is a standard blood test that measures the different types of cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps doctors diagnose conditions such as anemia or leukemia by revealing problems with any of these cell types; it can also monitor treatment for specific diseases or cancers.

Basic metabolic panel (BMP)

A basic metabolic panel (BMP), also known as a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), is a blood test that measures: Glucose, sodium, and potassium levels; Kidney function Tests such as urea nitrogen and creatinine may be performed to estimate how well your kidneys are working, but the BMP does not directly measure kidney health. If found abnormal, the results of these tests can lead to a further diagnosis for chronic kidney disease or acute kidney disease—chloride bicarbonate calcium and magnesium concentrations in your plasma.

Many different types of blood tests exist to diagnose various diseases or health conditions. Hopefully, this post will give you insight into what they are used for, when they should be done, and any associated conditions these tests might reveal to you!