What do they check in a blood test?

In a blood test, medical professionals typically evaluate a variety of components to assess a patient's overall health or to diagnose specific conditions. Here's a detailed breakdown of what might be checked: 1. Red Blood Cells (RBCs): To check for anemia or other conditions affecting oxygen transport. 2. White Blood Cells (WBCs): To detect the presence of infections or immune system disorders. 3. Platelets: Important for clotting and to evaluate for bleeding disorders. 4. Hemoglobin: The oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells, checked for anemia. 5. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): The average size of your RBCs, which can indicate nutritional deficiencies. 6. Platelet Count: To assess the risk of bleeding or clotting. 7. Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures the amount of size variation of RBCs, which can be indicative of certain anemias. 8. White Cell Differential: Breaks down the different types of WBCs to identify specific infections or conditions. 9. **Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) or C-Reactive Protein (CRP)**: Non-specific markers of inflammation in the body. 10. Blood Clotting Tests: To check for bleeding or clotting disorders. 11. Blood Chemistry: Including liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes, glucose levels, and more. 12. Cholesterol Levels: To assess the risk of heart disease. 13. Blood Typing: To determine a patient's blood type for transfusions or organ donations. 14. Blood Glucose: To diagnose or monitor diabetes. 15. Thyroid Function Tests: To evaluate thyroid hormone levels for thyroid disorders.

A typical routine blood test is the complete blood count, also called CBC, to count your red and white blood cells as well as measure your hemoglobin levels and other blood components. This test can uncover anemia, infection, and even cancer of the blood.