During annual wellness visits, your doctor will often order lab work. The tests they run depend on your medical history and current ailments. However, the following lab tests are among the most common diagnostics physicians run to assess your overall health.

What Lab Work Do Doctors Need?

1. Complete Blood Count

This blood test provides an estimated count of platelets as well as red and white blood cells in your body. Apart from offering a general overview of your health, the test may help reveal the causes of symptoms like weakness, fatigue, or internal bleeding. The blood cell count also helps diagnose medical conditions like infection, thrombosis, and anemia.

2. Liver Function Panel

As the name suggests, this test helps assess how well your liver is filtering toxins. It measures markers like bilirubin, enzymes, albumin, and protein. Higher or lower than usual numbers could be a cause for concern, pointing toward hepatitis virus or liver disease.

3. Glucose Test

The blood glucose test is another test doctors typically run every year. Patients diagnosed with diabetes, however, may be required to take the A1C test, which reveals average glucose levels over the past three months. This comparison helps your health care provider see how well you’re managing the disorder.

4. Lipid Profile Test

This test gives a count of fatty substances, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, in your blood. Additionally, it provides a detailed account of low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDLs and HDLs). While a high LDL count increases heart disease risk, a high HDL level helps lower it considerably.

5. Cardiac Enzyme Test

This lab test provides an overview of three possible indicators of heart ailments: the enzyme creatine kinase and two proteins, troponin T and troponin L. A higher count may mean heart damage, warranting further investigation with an electrocardiogram.

The doctors at Bayside Community Hospital believe a well-informed patient takes a more active role in their medical care. That’s why they take the time to explain the lab tests they run and what their findings reveal. These medical experts in Anahuac, TX, prioritize care with compassion, comfort, honesty, and dignity. Call (409) 267-3143 to schedule an appointment with the health clinic, and visit their website to learn about their diagnostic and treatment solutions.