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Whenever we have to go to the doctor, we automatically associate it with a blood test. No wonder, because our blood contains a lot of information about what is going on in our bodies.
With just one prick, doctors can obtain a lot of essential data about a person’s health. Although to us, as patients, all fingers pricks may look the same, there are many different types of blood tests that we can perform in clinical laboratories, such as CQS.
There are very simple blood tests, such as those that measure blood sugar or cholesterol levels.
But there are others that are much more complex and are used to determine other types of diseases or physical conditions. For example, the complete blood count, a test that serves to analyse all the components of our blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, sedimentation rate, etc.
For example, red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. White blood cells are the defenders that fight off external attacks (infections), and platelets help to stop bleeding if you are injured.
A full blood count can tell you if you are anaemic, if you have an infection in your body or if something more serious is going on. The interesting thing is that blood tests are not just useful for detecting problems.
They are also useful for people who are already being treated. For example, if you are taking medication for your thyroid, you will probably need regular check-ups to make sure everything is fine.
The same goes for other treatments, such as anticoagulants, where it is important to keep your levels under control.
And don’t forget about tests that look for specific markers of disease, such as certain types of cancer. Although these tests are not always definitive on their own, they are an important tool for diagnosis and monitoring.
Another important use of blood tests is to detect infections. From simple tests that look for antibodies, to more complex tests that can detect the presence of viruses such as HIV.
A blood test is much more than a simple test: it is a way to know how our body is doing in a quick and easy way. And while sometimes the draw may not be as pleasant as we would like, remember that it can be the first step to improving your health.