Basic blood panels

A basic blood panel, often referred to as a standard or routine blood test, includes several common tests that provide insight into overall health. Here are some key components:

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC):

• Red Blood Cells (RBC): Measures the number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen.
• Hemoglobin (Hgb): Indicates oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.
• Hematocrit (Hct): The percentage of red blood cells in blood volume.
• White Blood Cells (WBC): Measures immune cells, indicating infection or inflammation.
• Platelets: Involved in blood clotting; abnormalities can affect bleeding or clotting risks.
• Differential Count: Counts the various types of white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils).

2. Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP):

• Glucose: Blood sugar level, used to screen for diabetes.
• Calcium: Important for bone health, muscle function, and nerve signaling.
• Electrolytes:
  • Sodium, Potassium, Chloride: Essential for hydration, blood pressure, and nerve function.
  • Bicarbonate (HCO3): Helps maintain the body’s acid-base balance.
• Kidney Function Tests:
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Indicates kidney function and protein metabolism.
  • Creatinine: Assesses kidney health.

3. Lipid Panel:

• Total Cholesterol: Measures overall cholesterol level.
• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): The “good” cholesterol, which helps reduce heart disease risk.
• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): The “bad” cholesterol, which can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.
• Triglycerides: Measures fat levels in the blood.

4. Liver Function Panel (often part of comprehensive metabolic panel):

• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): Indicates liver cell injury.
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): Another liver enzyme, often checked with ALT.
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Can indicate bile duct or bone issues.
• Bilirubin: Waste product from red blood cell breakdown; high levels may indicate liver issues.

Additional Panels (Optional):

• Thyroid Function Panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3): Assesses thyroid health.
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP): Indicates inflammation in the body.
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Another marker for inflammation.

These tests provide a snapshot of various aspects of health and can help identify issues early on for more targeted follow-up.