Our NHS in the UK is overstretched and overworked, so it can often take a long time to get an appointment for routine tests and to receive the results. However, you can help take off some of the pressure from the NHS and do things to monitor your health, such as having blood tests, especially if you have been diagnosed with a medical condition. You do not have to rely on the NHS to get yourself tested and ensure you are fit and healthy, and you can get yourself tested as often as you want. You can do various blood tests to help monitor your health, and below are some of the common ones and how to get tested.
How To Get Your Blood Tested
You can use many private companies to get your blood tested and identify various medical conditions, and you often receive the results much quicker than on the NHS. Most private medical companies will have your results within 24 hours and can look at many aspects of your overall health by sampling your blood. You can search for “blood test near me”, and you should see various clinics you can make an appointment and attend to get your blood tested. The cost of the service will depend on the tests you require, and the more things you want testing for, the more expensive it will be. However, it can give you peace of mind when you are worried about your health and ensure you get answers to your medical questions quickly.
Common Blood Tests You Can Do
Your blood is a gateway to a world of information about your health, and depending on what you test for, it can tell you what medical conditions you may have, if any. Some of the standard tests you can do on our blood include:
Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC test will look at the different blood cell counts and let you know if there are any increases or decreases in white and red blood cells.
Thyroid Panel: A thyroid panel is a series of tests on your blood that can determine your thyroid gland’s functionality and measure how well it is working.
Basic Metabolic Panel: The basic metabolic panel is another type of blood test that can give information about electrolyte levels, sugar metabolism, fluid balance, and kidney functions.
Nutrient Tests: You can also do a blood test to measure the nutrient levels and look for deficiencies such as iron, vitamin B, and others.
Enzyme Markers: A blood test can also measure your enzyme markers which can show if you are at risk of cirrhosis, celiac disease, stroke, or cancer.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI): You can also have a blood test and look for STIs that you may have contracted, such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, hepatitis, or Herpes.
These are a few blood tests you can have, which can help diagnose various medical conditions you may need to see a doctor to have treated. As we age, we must be more vigilant about our health, so ensure you have a complete blood workup every couple of years once you reach the age of forty.
