Blood Analysis

Blood Analysis Test (a.k.a. Blood Work)

      A laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a needle, or via fingerprick. Multiple tests for specific blood components (such as a glucose test or a cholesterol test) are often grouped together into one test panel called a blood panel or blood work. Blood tests are often used in health care to determine physiological and biochemical states, such as disease, mineral content, pharmaceutical drug effectiveness, and organ function. Typical clinical blood panels include a basic metabolic panel or a complete blood count. Blood tests are also used in drug tests to detect drug abuse. In some of the United States, a blood test is required before marriage.

Extraction

     Venipuncture is useful as it is a minimally invasive way to obtain cells and extracellular fluid (plasma) from the body for analysis. Blood flows throughout the body, acting as a medium which provides oxygen and nutrients to tissues and carries waste products back to the excretory systems for disposal. Consequently, the state of the bloodstream affects, or is affected by, many medical conditions. For these reasons, blood tests are the most commonly performed medical tests.

     If only a few drops of blood are needed, a finger stick is performed instead of drawing blood from a vein.

     Phlebotomists, laboratory practitioners and nurses are those charged with patient blood extraction. However, in special circumstances, and emergency situations, paramedics and physicians sometimes extract blood. Also, respiratory therapists are trained to extract arterial blood to examine arterial blood gases.

Biochemical Analysis

      A basic metabolic panel measures sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), magnesium, creatinine, glucose, and sometimes calcium. Tests focusing on cholesterol levels can determine LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, as well as triglyceride levels.

     Some tests, such as those that measure glucose or a lipid profile, require fasting (or no food consumption) eight to twelve hours prior to the drawing of the blood sample.

     For the majority of tests, blood is usually obtained from the patient's vein. Other specialized tests, such as the arterial blood gas test, require blood extracted from an artery. Blood gas analysis of arterial blood is primarily used to monitor carbon dioxide and oxygen levels related to pulmonary function, but is also used to measure blood pH and bicarbonate levels for certain metabolic conditions.

    While the regular glucose test is taken at a certain point in time, the glucose tolerance test involves repeated testing to determine the rate at which glucose is processed by the body.

Normal Ranges

     Reference ranges for blood tests Blood tests results should always be interpreted using the ranges provided by the laboratory that performed the test. 
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Example normal test ranges above.
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Vacutainer Tubes
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Venipuncture Extraction just above.
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Abbreviations listing for blood analysis testing...
Molecular Profiles
  • Protein electrophoresis (general technique—not a specific test)
  • Western blot (general technique—not a specific test)
  • Liver function tests
  • Polymerase chain reaction (DNA). DNA profiling is today possible with even very small quantities of blood: this is commonly used in forensic science, but is now also part of the diagnostic process of many disorders.
  • Northern blot (RNA)
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
Cellular Evaluation
  • Full blood count (or "complete blood count")
  • Hematocrit
  • MCV ("mean corpuscular volume")
  • Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
  • Cross-matching. Determination of blood type for blood transfusion or transplants
  • Blood cultures are commonly taken if infection is suspected. Positive cultures and resulting sensitivity results are often useful in guiding medical treatment.