Blood Test For

For millions of people around the globe the need to perform a blood sugar test every day is a reality. These people suffer from diabetes and the utilization of blood tests is the only way to track the sugar levels in their blood, therefore, keeping them healthy. As if taking blood from yourself several times a day weren’t enough, there are also special rules when it comes to the care and maintenance or the blood testing supplies. Below is an overview of what needs to be done when caring for these important medical devises.

1- The most important reason to learn how to take care of your blood sugar testing supplies is that the information that they provide to you will be used to determine your course of treatment. Any reading that is off because the equipment wasn’t correctly taken care of could affect the information that is given, therefore affecting the care that you receive.

2- The most common blood sugar testing supplies that are used are the meters, lancets and strips. Every one of these items requires a different course of action in regards to its care and maintenance. The most important step is to carefully read the manufactures suggestions for care and use.

3- When you are learning to care for your meter, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. These are sensitive devises; all of them, no matter the brand can, and will be damaged from a drop or by simply being jarred around. Do not ever leave your meter in a car; these types of machines cannot be exposed to the hot or cold temperatures that are experienced in a closed car. Be sure to clean and change the batteries in your meter as suggested in the manual.

4- When you have used a lancet, it is important to dispose of it correctly in a timely manner. Lancets can be dangerous for other people as they can cause injury to adults and children alike. It is suggested that you place the used lancet in an empty plastic container that has a top, such as a laundry detergent bottle. When the bottle is approximately two-thirds to three-quarters full of the used lancet, tightly close the bottle and throw it away. NEVER throw a used lancet or any other blood sugar test supply in the trash without taking the necessary precautions listed.

5- The most important care tip for the testing strips is to keep them away from humidity. This type of exposure can cause them to be ineffective in your daily battle against diabetes. It is best that they are not stored in a bathroom for this reason. Also, make sure to replace the top of the bottle that the strips come in immediately upon removing one for testing.

6- It is also a very good idea to make sure that your meter is working correctly. The easiest way to do this is in the doctor’s office. When the doctor takes blood to run his tests, you should also run a blood sugar test using your equipment. If your numbers are the same as your doctor’s, you know that your supplies are accurate.

7- As with any type of medical issue, it is very important to keep in close contact with your physician. If you have any questions as to the use or accuracy of your blood sugar testing supplies, give them a call. They will be able to help you figure out what needs to be done to resolve any issues that you may be having.

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, also known as CMP is an inexpensive blood test that gives you vital information. Why is this important? Generally most people have not had the training to understand what the basic laboratory tests mean. The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is important because it gives an overview of exactly what and how the body is functioning. To understand just the basics of your blood tests will assist you in your health care program. When your physician says all of your results were normal, now you will know what that means.

The comprehensive metabolic panel actually has 17 different tests within the panel. Within these17 tests is important information regarding your kidneys, liver, electrolytes and your sugar levels.

Glucose- To determine if your blood glucose level is within healthy ranges; to screen for, diagnose, and monitor diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) - This measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. This is made when protein is broken down in your body. It is used evaluate kidney function and monitor the effectiveness of dialysis and other treatments related to kidney disease or damage.

Creatinine- To determine if your kidneys are functioning normally and to monitor treatment for kidney disease. The kidneys also filter out waste and other unneeded substances from the blood.

BUN/ Creatinine Ratio- Comparison of the two waste products of the normal metabolic processes.

Sodium- To determine whether your sodium concentration is within normal limits and to help evaluate electrolyte balance and kidney function.

Potassium- To determine whether your potassium concentration is within normal limits and to help evaluate an electrolyte imbalance. It is critical for normal functioning of the muscles, nerves and heart.

Chloride - To determine if there is a problem with your body’s electrolyte or acid-base balance and to monitor treatment. It also helps maintain proper blood volume, blood pressure, and PH of your body fluids.

Carbon Dioxide- Carbon dioxide is a gaseous waste product made from metabolism. The blood carries carbon dioxide to your lungs, where it is exhaled. Your kidneys and lungs balance the levels of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and carbonic acid in the blood.

Calcium- To determine if the level of calcium in your blood is at normal levels. Calcium is important to many body functions including muscle contraction, nerve and brain function, bone formation and the release of hormones.

Total Protein- -To determine your nutritional status or to screen for certain liver and kidney disorders as well as other diseases.

Albumin- To screen for a liver disorder or kidney disease or to evaluate nutritional status.

Globulin- Globulins are proteins that can be measured in blood serum. High levels may indicate liver disease, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Low levels may be related to immune deficiency kidney problems or bowel related disease.

A/G Ratio- It has to do with the ratio of albumin and globulin, serum proteins. A decrease in the A/G ratio often indicates the presence of impaired liver function, nutritional status, kidney disease and many other conditions.

Total Bilirubin - To screen for or monitor liver disorders.

ALP- To screen for or monitor treatment for a liver or bone disorders

AST (SGOT ) - To detect potential damage to heart skeletal muscle and liver cells..

ALT(SGPT)- To screen for liver damage. Injury to the liver results in release of this enzyme into the blood.

The comprehensive metabolic panel may also be used to monitor a disease process, and for treatment purposes. Many treatable diseases do not show any physical signs and symptoms, until damage is done. Just because you feel fine does not mean that something may not be wrong. Early detection will save you time, money and heartache down the road.

Diabetes is on the rise. Due to poor food choices and obesity, more and more people are developing Type 2 diabetes. This is preventable in some cases. Simple changes can be done early before potential systemic body damage has started. The American Diabetes Association is a great resource for more information on diabetes.

Liver disease may remain silent for many years until irreversible damage is done. The liver is the largest organ in the body. It plays key roles in many vital body functions. It acts as a filter and is involved in metabolism; hormones, clotting and much more. Other important key factors that may lead to liver disease may include alcohol consumption, prescription medications, over the counter medications, and herbal supplements. Hepatitis may remain silent and only be diagnosed through a simple liver blood test which shows elevated liver enzymes. There are two main enzymes called ALT and AST. These enzymes are located within liver cells which may leak into the bloodstream once damage is done.

Kidney disease can remain silent for many years also. Diseases like hypertension and diabetes may affect your kidney function. The kidneys play many vital roles in processing wastes, and excreting them form the body in the form of urine. When the kidneys fail to do their job, wastes build up quickly resulting in dialysis or death. The Centers for Diseases Contol and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in March 2007 showed some staggering numbers. One in nine adults has chronic kidney disease. Another statistic shows there are 470,000 people relying on dialysis to live. That is almost a half a million people!

Electrolytes are used by nerve, heart, and muscle cells to carry electrical impulses to muscles, nerves and brain. Electrolyte disturbances can occur with vomiting, diarrhea, or diseases involving hormones that regulate electrolyte concentrations. Potassium levels are tied to heart and nerve impulses as well as muscle function.

Time and money are crucial to each of us, luckily there are ways to get to get tested with having to waste too much of either. Reduce your wasted time, money, and stress by understanding the basics of your body first. The next time you see your physician, you may feel a bit empowered by telling him you have already tested and understand what your results mean.

Order your own blood test today. Professional Medical Counselors are available to assist you with all of your testing questions and needs.

Glucose in your blood is the main source of energy for all humans and animals. It is basically a type of sugar which circulates throughout the blood providing the much needed energy. Glucose is manufactured in the body, through the food we eat, mainly carbohydrates. The glucose levels in are blood are controlled by the an hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. It is very important for a person to maintain normal blood glucose levels in his body, to avoid any complication or conditions like diabetes.

Lets discuss what the normal blood glucose levels should be in a person. The normal levels fall in the range of 70-150mg. They typically vary between these two values throughout the day, depending on the time of the day and the kind of meals a person has had. If the levels go above 150 mg for a period of time then a condition occurs called hyperglycemia, and if they fall below 70 mg then a person is know to have to hypoglycemia. Consistent low blood sugar levels can be potentially fatal. Some of the common symptoms of low blood sugar are- tiredness, fatigue, lack of focus and in some extreme cases even coma. On the other hand consistently high blood sugar levels results in diabetes in a person. Diabetes if not treated in time can lead to eye, kidney, heart and nerve damage.

The surest way to measure your glucose levels is through a blood test. It is very important that person do these tests at regular intervals, if he is showing any of the symptoms of irregular blood sugar. There are different kinds of blood tests which can be done. If a person is being diagnosed for diabetes the first test he normally does is called a “fasting blood test”, which is done after a 8 hour fasting period. The results of this test should be between 70-99 mg to indicate normal blood glucose levels.

There is another test called the “two-hour postprandial blood sugar”, which is done after 2 hours of eating a meal. The levels for this test should fall between 70-145 mg.

A third test called the random testing method is done usually at random time throughout the day. The normal levels for this test are 70-125 mg. If the results vary a lot, then it may indicate a problem.

Lastly there is a test called the “oral glucose tolerance test”, which helps to diagnose diabetes. This test is done after supplying the patient with a glucose drink or snack.

If you have any of the symptoms or signs of diabetes or low blood sugar, then it is advisable to contact your physician immediately to get your tested in time.

Diabetes is an incurable disease which is caused by high levels of sugar in the blood. When a person has diabetes, he or she will not be able to break down the sugar in the blood on their own. To break down the sugar, extra insulin will be needed at regular intervals, and a special diet to control the blood sugar level in the body is recommended. This disease can be detected and should be detected at the earliest possible time, by means of a diabetes blood test. A normal healthy human being will have the capacity to break down any amount of sugar that is ingested with the help of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. In a diabetic person, the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin and/or the body develops a resistance to insulin.
Either way, the blood does not receive the sufficient quantity required to break down the sugar into glucose, to be absorbed by tissues, muscles and liver. The diabetic person will have a very high quantity of unabsorbed glucose in the body. This is why a diabetes blood test is the easiest way to confirm the presence of the disease. Many people are not aware that there are 3 different types of diabetes. All are detectable through a simple blood test:

Type 1 diabetes – this type usually starts early in childhood. This is a very serious disease and it will require insulin injections throughout life, without which life of the patient can be in fatal danger.

Type 2 diabetes – this type is the most common type of diabetes; more than 90 percent of those who suffer from diabetes, suffer of this type. This diabetes develops in adult stage, and it usually takes a lot of time for the person to recognize the signs and/or diagnose it. This type of diabetes is on the rise because of the increase in the sedentary style of life, junk food and lack of exercise that is prevalent allover the world.

Gestational diabetes – This type of diabetes is a temporary diseases and it usually develops when a woman is pregnant.

There are many problems that develop when a person suffers from diabetes. You will find that there is excessive thirst, sometimes blurry vision, constant fatigue, and continuous hunger with weight loss. The type 2 diabetes sometimes causes impotence in men. Whenever there is the slightest doubt that diabetes may be present, a diabetes blood test should be carried out so treatment may start at the earliest possible time.

Sugar in the blood is the blood is the to human and animals. So how does this sugar get into the blood? Sugar is present in our blood mainly because of the foods we eat mainly carbohydrates. The sugar level is controlled by a hormone known as insulin which is made by the pancreases. What this means is the insulin converts these sugars into much needed energy for the body.

So what should be the normal blood sugar range in a person?

Normal Levels: Are 70 - 150 mg

The blood sugar usually moves in-between these two values throughout the day, depending on the types of food we eat. It sometime may go above or below required limit and get back to normal after a while. If your blood sugar is either to low or too high for a long period of time, it is not a good sign.

If the levels go above 150mg for a period of time then the person is said to have high blood sugar or hyperglycemia and if the levels is lower than 70mg then the person is known to have low blood pressure or hypoglycemia

If you constantly have high blood sugar and do not cure it on time it results in diabetes. If diabetes is not treated on time it can lead to eye, kidney, heart and nerve damage.

Types Of Blood Test To Diagnose Diabetes

1.Fasting Blood Test

The best way to measure the sugar levels in the blood is to do a blood test. If a person is being diagnosed for diabetes the first test he normally undergoes is the fasting blood test, where the patient fasts for 8 hours before the blood test, if his blood sugar levels are between 70mg and 99mg then he is safe.

2. 2 hour Postprandial Blood Sugar Test

This test is done 2 hours after eating meals, In this test the blood sugar levels should be in between 70-145 mg.

3.The Random Testing Method.

This test id done several time a day , the normal levels for this test should be in between 70-125mg, if the results vary then this may indicate a problem.

When a body produces higher levels of sugar within the bloodstream it is known as the disease diabetes. When someone has this disease, the body loses its ability to breakdown excess sugars by itself. In order to breakdown extra sugar you need to add insulin at regular intervals. The body will also require a diet specially constructed for someone with diabetes. If you think you may have diabetes, or it runs in your family, get a diabetes test done. The best test is a blood workup.

When doctors first suspect that someone has diabetes, they do diabetes tests to make certain. One of these tests is a glucose test. This is one of the first steps in the actual determination of diabetes being present. Besides this diabetes test doctors will also check for standard symptoms, medical history and a physical exam.

Sometimes the tests are not conclusive. Such as in the cases of someone who is extremely ill (illnesses cause your blood sugar to rise) as well as certain medications. Some medications that you take can raise your blood sugar levels to the point where it could show as though you are diabetic.

Where diabetes is concerned the best way to determine it is by the glucose in the blood. The glucose test should be given after the morning when a person had not eaten since 12 the following evening. The glucose level should be above 140 mg/dl and the test should always be given twice.

Besides the drawing of blood another diabetes test is a tolerance test which tests oral glucose. With this test you should never have anything to drink or eat for a minimum of 11 hours. If you do not follow this basic rule then the diabetes test could be off and ruin the results. First blood is drawn then you are given a glass of water with a mass amount of sugar in it. Thirty minutes later the test is given. The test is then repeated several more times. At one hour out, two hours and then at three hours. The downside to this test is that person must be in good shape and not on any medications for diabetes. Before doing any diabetes test you should steer clear from coffee and cigarettes.

The glucose tolerance test measures your glucose levels within a three-hour period. It breaks down to about five separate diabetes tests in the course of that time frame. The glucose level of a person who drinks the sugar water will experience a raise five times then it will fall very rapidly. Someone who does not have the disease will find that his or her glucose level will fall in time.

Many problems can come about when you have diabetes including excessive thirst, blurred vision, and fatigue and being very hungry while losing weight. Impotency can be found with Type 2 diabetes. It is important to be tested when some of these symptoms arise, especially if diabetes runs in the family. Diabetes is not the end of the world, but something that can be managed and lived with.

If you feel you may have become pregnant or indeed feeling or seeing the early signs of pregnancy, you will want to ascertain definitively whether you are pregnant or not. This will enable you to start your planning and seeking professional pre-natal care at the earliest opportunity. Either a pregnancy blood test or a home pregnancy kit will determine this for you.

To ascertain pregnancy, both types of test will look for the pregnancy hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotpopin). The home pregnancy test will look for this in the urine whereas the pregnancy blood test will check for this in your blood. So, to determine your condition, either will provide the results you seek.

The pregnancy blood test is the preferred method of testing for pregnancy clinics and doctors. This is because, apart from ascertaining pregnancy or otherwise, far more data can be established from a blood serum test.

Benefits of a Pregnancy Blood Test

The pregnancy blood test falls into two categories; qualitative and quantitative. The former is just like the home pregnancy tests in that it will be looking for traces of HCG and will provide a yes or no answer.

The quantitative pregnancy blood test will measure the amount of HCG in the body. This test is not just taken once but at certain strategic times during early pregnancy. HCG levels are predictable at differing times of the pregnancy and following these tests, comparisons can be made to the test results which will help professionals assess a normal and healthy pregnancy or otherwise. This type of pregnancy blood test will normally also be requested by your doctor if problems with the pregnancy are being experienced.

Even if you have determined that you are pregnant by using a home pregnancy test, it is very important to see your doctor as early as possible to not only confirm the home test but to ensure, using blood pregnancy tests, that your pregnancy is healthy and safe.