What Can a Simple Blood Test Reveal About Your Health?

Blood plays an important role in regulating several different critical body functions. Its role is so essential that the chemical composition of your blood is a key indicator of your overall physical health. In fact one of the most common and routine diagnostic tests done in hospitals is the simple yet effective blood test.

When it comes to health screenings packages in Singapore, blood tests are often ordered as they reveal a wide range of information about organ function. They are also simple to conduct, non-invasive, and safe. To help you understand a little more about them, here’s a short list of what a blood test can uncover about your health.

1. Full Blood Count (FBC)

Blood is made up of a mix of different components. The red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body, white blood cells that are responsible for immune function, platelets that control clotting, and plasma which carries the blood cells, nutrients, waste products, and hormones throughout the body. There are also other various proteins, enzymes, and electrolytes in blood.

In healthy individuals, their blood contains these components within specific ranges. Deviations from this range may indicate nutritional deficiencies, anaemia, clotting disorders, infections, blood cancers, and elevated levels of inflammation.

Learn More: What Does a Typical Health Check Up Package Include?

2. Haemoglobin Test

A haemoglobin test is commonly performed during a FBC. It is done to check the level of haemoglobin in your blood. As it is a protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body, low haemoglobin levels can indicate anaemia while a high level indicates a condition called polycythemia.

3. Lipid Panel

The level of triglycerides and cholesterol in your blood can be determined via a test known as a lipid panel. High levels of these fats can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Lipid levels can be tracked over time to determine if any lifestyle and dietary changes are necessary. If you have a family history of heart disease, or if you have any other risk factors, more frequent lipid testing may be required.

4. Enzyme Marker

Enzymes are proteins responsible for various processes in your body, including digestion, metabolism, and blood clotting. Unusual enzyme levels may be due to a variety of medical conditions.

The enzyme creatine kinase (CK) is found primarily in the heart, skeletal muscle, and brain tissues. Elevated levels of the enzyme may indicate muscle damage, such as a heart attack or muscular dystrophy. Similarly, elevated levels of the enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) may be the result of liver damage or disease.

5. Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

A Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) checks the level of certain chemicals in your blood. These chemicals include glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine. For accurate results, you may be required to fast for 8 -10 hours before a full body checkup that includes a BMP.

Glucose levels require close monitoring for individuals who either have or are at risk of developing diabetes. Sodium, potassium, and chloride levels in your blood can indicate kidney issues or dehydration. Abnormal levels of BUN and creatinine may also mean you have a kidney disease. Finally, elevated bicarbonate levels can be the result of a condition known as metabolic acidosis.

Blood tests provide doctors with important details about what’s going on in your body. The information contained within them may help to catch several debilitating diseases early and can be used to make accurate assessments of your physical health. They are a staple of comprehensive health screenings and patients should be encouraged to have a blood test done regularly.

As a leading healthcare provider in the region, Sunway Medical Centre in Singapore offers varying health screenings packages. Contact us today to learn more about our services and make an appointment with our team.