Annual Testing

Testing Regularly

Following is the type of blood testing you should have done regularly. You can search for places that offer an option for you to order your own test kits if you don’t have an annual doctor visit and how to read the test results. You should always get a copy of your test results from your doctor or the lab that completes the testing.

Other items you should have and use regularly:

• Oximeter: Can be purchased at your local drug store, Walmart, Amazon, etc. Starting at around $25.00.
• Blood Pressure Monitor for home use. Starting at around $30. Make sure it is digital model as they are much easier to read and understand.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) includes all the measurements of a BMP:

A basic metabolic panel (BMP) usually checks for levels of eight compounds in the blood:

• calcium
• glucose
• sodium
• potassium
• bicarbonate
• chloride
• blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
• creatinine

As well as additional proteins and substances related to liver function, such as:  

•  albumin
• total protein
• alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme mostly found in the bones and liver that’s involved in several bodily processes
•  alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an enzyme found in the liver
•  aspartate aminotransferase (AST), an enzyme found in the liver and other tissues within the body
•  bilirubin, which is waste resulting from the breakdown of red blood cells that the liver filters out

What to expect

Before any blood test, ask your doctor for any instructions you need to follow to make sure the results are accurate.

Also, let your doctor know about any medications and supplements you’re taking in case they could affect the results.

Who orders my blood tests?

Your doctor typically orders blood tests for you during a physical, checkup, or an appointment intended to screen for a specific condition.

It’s also possible to order your own blood tests without a doctor through laboratories like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, but health insurance may not cover these tests. Check with your employer for possible offers for free testing.

While such blood tests may be more accessible and convenient, it may be harder to interpret the results without a medical professional.

Where do I get blood work done?

Locations for blood testing may include:

• Private laboratories: Hospitals may use private labs to offload some testing from their own laboratories or in cases when a specialized test is needed. Often, health insurance plans will require you to use a specific laboratory that is in their network for the test to be covered.
• Point-of care: This describes situations when you may need to get a blood test wherever you are receiving medical care, such as in your doctor’s office during an appointment.
• Direct access testing: Also known as direct-to-consumer, it allows you to order your own test without a doctor’s referral. You get the test done at a laboratory specially set up for this purpose.
• Home testing: You can get some tests at a pharmacy and then do them at home. You may need a prescription for some tests, while others may be available over the counter. This can include things like blood glucose monitoring for people with diabetes or the fecal occult blood test that screens for colorectal cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve all home tests before they’re available for purchase.

Do I fast?

Some tests will require you to fast for 8-12 hours beforehand. That’s because everything you eat and drink contains vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients that can cause the related levels in your blood to temporarily spike or drop.

Some common tests that may require fasting include:

• cholesterol tests
• blood sugar tests
• liver function tests
• kidney function tests
• basic metabolic panel

How long does it take to get results?

Results may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to become available. Here’s an overview of how long some common tests may take:

• complete blood count (CBC): 24 hours
• basic metabolic panel: 24 hours
• complete metabolic panel: 24 to 72 hours
• lipid panel: 24 hours

Timing can depend on the specific lab where you get tested and how many tests you get done at once. If you order multiple tests, you may not get the complete results until all of the tests are completed.

Sometimes, a lab will only release results to your doctor, who reviews them and then releases them to you.

How do I read blood test results?

While every laboratory or test-providing company may structure its result reports differently, they all must include the same components as mandated by federal legislation.

Some of that may be administrative content, such as the name of the person who did the blood test, the date the test was done, and the name of the doctor who ordered the test.

When it comes to understanding the results, you can look for the following:

• Quantitative test result: Results will be typically written out numerically in cases when the test measures the quantity of something, such as cholesterol, in your blood.
• Abnormal markers: Often, a laboratory report will include some kind of marker to let you know if a result is outside the normal interval and, therefore, abnormal. For example, you may see the letter H to indicate high, the letter L to indicate low, or the acronym WNL for “within normal limits.” You may see an asterisk and some additional comments in the text if your results come out as highly abnormal. In this case, you’ll typically get a call from your doctor.
• Reference range. Every laboratory will have its own reference range for each type of test. Typically, this reference range will be written in your laboratory report next to the numerical value of your result so you can see where your result falls in the range.

Takeaway

Blood tests can offer a good snapshot of your overall health.

They’re also a good way to catch illness or disease early and to see how well your body responds to treatments for various conditions.

Many people get routine blood tests done at least once a year. Talk with your doctor to learn whether there are any other tests you may need to ensure your optimal health.