Understanding Laboratory Blood Tests: Know About 10 Commonly Used Blood Tests For Adults

Did you know that there are many types of blood tests used for adults? A blood test or a routine blood test, as we know it, is an intricate maze of types, each with specific purposes. Here is a list of blood test names that will intrigue you and of course that you should know more about.

List of Blood Tests that are Commonly used for Adults

Here is a complete blood test list for adults that you should check out:

1. CBC

CBC is a blood profile test that stands for Complete Blood Count. This is a basic blood test that measures white blood cell and red blood cell count along with hemoglobin. It also measures mean corpuscular volume or MCV along with hematocrit and the platelet count. It takes place when someone is suffering from anemia or any infection. Bone marrow problems may also require these tests along with other diseases.

2. Basic Metabolic Panel 

This is another blood screening worth considering for several scenarios. It is also called Basic Electrolyte Panel and measures potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, chloride, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and glucose. It is used for scenarios where medication side-effects lead to excessively high/low electrolytes or kidney/lung functioning issues, and also diabetes or hypoglycemia.

3. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel 

This is part of the full-body blood test list for adults in many scenarios. It measures total protein levels along with calcium, bilirubin, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, and AST. High or low levels of blood calcium often lead to cognitive issues or health problems. Low albumin levels indicate liver issues while any sudden increase in ALT/AST indicates liver problems as well. Bilirubin is also linked to red blood cell breakdowns and any increase may result from gallstones or bile duct blockages. This is one of the most useful tests in this category.

4. Lipid Panel 

This is one of the common blood tests that measure HDL, total levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and soon. These tests help in working out cardiovascular risks for adults. High LDL levels sometimes require lifestyle tweaks and medication.

5. Thyroid Function Test 

These tests help in finding thyroid-related issues or working out the right dosage for medication. The commonest options are TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and Free Thyroxine. These tests help in diagnosing thyroid issues for older adults, especially women and also help in determining proper medication to resolve the same. Free T4 tests often help in working out issues with the thyroid hormone.

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6. Vitamin B12 Test 

These tests measure Vitamin B12 serum levels and offer information on whether they are suitable for an individual or not. The tests are Vitamin B12 and Methylmalonic Acid. These tests help in determining Vitamin B12 deficiencies. 

7. Hemoglobin A1C 

This test measures the glycated hemoglobin percentage in relation to the levels of blood sugar. The formation of glycated hemoglobin happens with the attachment of blood glucose to hemoglobin in the RBCs (red blood cells). Any result higher than 6.5% will indicate diabetes in most cases. This test helps in tracking blood sugar levels for those with diabetes and is one of the commonest blood tests for adults these days.

8. PT and INR

PT (Prothrombin Time) and INR (International Normalized Ratio) are key blood tests that help in measuring how quickly the blood of any individual clots. They are usually taken by those who are on specific thinners like Warfarin which helps in combating any atrial fibrillation-linked strokes or blood clots anywhere.

9. BNP Test 

BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) levels automatically increase when the heart of an individual cannot pump blood as efficiently as in the normal scenario. It may lead to heart failure as well. BNP levels are used for analyzing heart failure in older adults and for those suffering from any shortness of breath (owing to factors like COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and many others).

10. Ferritin

Ferritin helps in measuring the serum Ferritin levels of the body and this is linked to the overall amount of iron. These levels are part of testing for anemia and deficiencies in iron. These levels are also impacted by inflammation, which leads to the rise in the same as per reports. If these levels are at borderline levels, or if there are any other causes to stay concerned about the capabilities of individuals with regard to iron management, then extra blood tests may be needed. 

The Bottom Line

You should take a closer look at these blood tests which come in useful for several reasons including diagnosis of diverse health problems and other related issues in adults.