Blood Tests

Blood test tubes
This article on blood tests is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of blood testing. It aims to educate the public on all aspects of blood testing in a broad and comprehensive overview while also including references to other articles that go into more detail on specific topics mentioned. This article will include the following:
  1. A general overview of "what is traditional blood testing?"
  2. The reasons and purposes for blood testing
  3. The introduction of Welzo home testing and preventative healthcare
  4. The types of blood tests
  5. How to interpret and understand results
  6. Preparing for a blood test
  7. Blood testing in other healthcare verticals

 

If you are like most people, you probably haven't given much thought to blood testing. However, believe it or not, this simple procedure can provide a wealth of information about your health.

This article will tackle the various types of blood testing. We will also discuss the benefits of blood testing and some things to keep in mind when undergoing a test. So, if you're curious about blood testing, keep reading! If you are interested in checking your health, view our home blood tests page to buy them online. 

What is a Traditional Blood Test?

Blood tests are an essential segment of your health care. They can measure or examine cells, chemicals, and proteins in the blood, which helps doctors with various purposes, from generating lists for treatments to identifying problems before they become worse. They are also helpful to:

  • Help find out what's wrong with some chronic diseases

  • Keep an eye on a long-term illness or conditions, like kidney disease or high cholesterol

  • Find out if the medication used in treating a disease is working.

  • Check the health of your organs.

  • Accurately identify haemorrhaging or blood clotting abnormalities.

  • Check to see if your immune system is struggling to fight off infections.

Watch this video to find out what happens to your blood sample:

What happens during a blood test?

A blood test usually involves removing blood from the blood vessels on the arms. It's usually a good place to take a blood sample at the inside of the elbows and wrists where veins are relatively close to the skin's surface. A tight band (tourniquet) can be placed around the upper arms. The band compresses your wrist and slows down your circulation to make your veins more visible.

How will my blood be taken?

The tourniquet is tightly held around your upper arm so the blood flow in the elbows is positioned at the surface and can be identified easily when needed. Vascular surfaces are scrubbed using a clean alcohol wand. A tiny needle can enter your vein and a tiny blood vessel will connect. Blood flows through the bottle and the needle is taken out once it's filled.

What happens to my blood after the test?

Generally the bottle contains little amounts of an agent to help stop blood clots in your tube and make it more precise for laboratory testing. The bottles are labelled with your name and birth date and the tops have different colours depending on the type of test the blood is taken for. It's time for analysis.

The introduction of Welzo home testing and preventative healthcare

Welzo Home Testing Service is a convenient and secure way to get your lab tests done in the comfort of your own home. With Welzo, you can order tests online and have them delivered right to your door. After receiving the test kit, simply collect a sample according to the instructions provided, then mail it back in the pre-paid package. Your results will be available online within a few days. With Welzo, you can avoid long lab waits and the hassle of traveling to a testing facility. Plus, you don't have to worry about keeping your results confidential—all test data is kept secure and private. To find out more about why checking your health is important read our article on: Is Blood Testing Important, Should You Track Your Health?

The different types of blood tests

We have information on more than 150 blood tests available with welzo.com. So this section wont go into detail on all of them. However, we have highlighted some of the most popularly used blood tests:

Hormone Blood Test - A hormone blood test is generally aimed at a specifc sex, as average levels of hormones generally differenitate depending on the patients sex. To read more read our article on what is a hormone blood test?

Testosterone Blood Tests - Testosterone is a critical hormone associated with androgenic development. Since 1999, there has been a 40% decline in testosterone levels among males. Therefore, optimising your testosterone levels with testing is critical. 

Vitamin D Blood Test - Vitamin D is one of the most common deficiencies that we find with Welzo patients. Almost 70% of tests come back as below average. 

Thyroid Blood Test - Optimising your thyroid health and finding out if you have hypo or hyper-thyroidism is straight forward with our Welzo home thyroid blood tests. Read our article on Why do I have underactive thyroid symptoms, but my blood test is normal?

How to interpret and understand results

Understanding blood test results can be diffcult, thats why on the Welzo platform for results issuance we offer doctors recommendations and explanations for all of your biomarkers. To find out more about some of the most common biomarkers click the links below:

For information on whats a good blood test range, check out the article highlighted. 

Preparing for a blood test

Before you have a blood test, it’s important to be properly prepared. If possible, avoid drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages the day before your test and make sure to get enough rest. Additionally, eating breakfast can help to ensure accurate results because your body may not be producing the necessary antibodies if you are fasting for too long. Be sure to wear clothing that is easy to remove and that you feel comfortable in. Finally, if you have taken any medications recently, make sure to let your doctor know—some drugs can affect test results.

By following these simple instructions and ordering a Welzo Home Testing Service kit, you can get your laboratory tests done quickly and securely. With Welzo, you can get accurate results in the privacy of your own home. So don’t wait—get tested today!

The benefits of a Welzo test is that it does not need a venous blood draw, which can be painful. To find out more read our article on: why does my arm hurt after a blood test. 

 

Blood testing in other healthcare verticals

Blood Testing for Cancer

When it comes to detecting cancer, a blood test can provide valuable insight. Early detection of cancer is key for successful treatment and recovery, so if you suspect that something might be wrong, it’s important to get tested right away. A Welzo Home Testing Service kit makes it easy to do just that. With the kit, you can collect a small sample of your own blood and have it tested for cancer markers. Results are usually available within a few days, depending on the complexity of the test. If you have any questions or concerns about ordering a test, Welzo’s knowledgeable staff is always ready to help guide you through the process. For a comprehensive guide to Cancer, read our article on: Cancer: Signs, symptoms and treatments.

 

Blood Testing and Diabetes

Blood testing and diabetes are closely related because monitoring blood glucose levels on a regular basis is crucial to managing the condition. For people with diabetes to monitor their health, ensure that they have control over their diabetes, and guard against potential complications, the relationship between diabetes and blood testing is essential.

Doctors can measure blood glucose levels using blood tests, which gives them a better idea of how well the diabetes management strategy is working. Doctors can use this data to determine whether a patient needs to change their medication, diet, or exercise routine. Blood tests are also used to determine whether a person has diabetes and to track their risk of developing complications like heart disease and stroke. 

Blood Testing and Cholesterol

An effective way to keep track of your general health and wellbeing is through blood testing and cholesterol. It's crucial to routinely check your cholesterol level because it can cause a number of serious medical problems, such as heart disease and stroke. The most precise method for measuring and monitoring changes in your cholesterol levels over time is through blood tests. Read more on: High cholesterol: Symptoms, causes and levels. 

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