Whether you’re experiencing unusual symptoms or getting a routine wellness exam, blood testing is a common part of visiting the doctor. This quick and simple collection process tests many aspects of your health so you can catch and treat potential problems early on. But while blood work is a common part of medical care, many people aren’t clear on just how beneficial this diagnostic process can be. If you’re due for a lab visit, here are a few reasons why you don’t want to delay getting your blood tested.

5 Benefits of Blood Work

1. Track Ongoing Health

Many health changes aren’t noticeable through visible signs and symptoms, but they can be detected through routine blood tests. Specifically, ongoing lab results provide a detailed timeline of many different biomarkers in blood that can describe your health over time. For instance, they may provide information on how diet, exercise, lifestyle, or medications impact your body in the long term.

2. Monitor Blood Cells

Some lab tests are designed to check various components of your blood, such as white and red blood cell count. Shifts in these measurements can identify a variety of conditions, including nutritional deficiencies, cancer, inflammation, and infection.

3. Assess Organ Function

Many compounds found in blood can depict how well your organs are functioning. For example, excess proteins may indicate a liver health issue, whereas high uric acid levels can signal that the kidneys aren’t removing toxins properly. A lipid panel checks for cholesterol and, in turn, helps diagnose heart disease.

4. Identify Hormonal Imbalances

Hormone levels can shift over time for many reasons, but blood work is the only way to accurately monitor these changes and detect problems. Increases and decreases in certain hormones can help doctors diagnose a myriad of conditions, such as menopause, low testosterone, and thyroid disorders.

5. Evaluate Metabolic Health

Metabolic panels define your body’s ability to process nutrients into energy. In addition to liver and kidney health, these tests are often used to measure blood glucose levels, or the amount of sugar in the blood. When these levels are high, it can indicate the presence or risk of diabetes.

When you’re concerned about your well-being, Kona-Kohala Health Care Services offers comprehensive diagnostic tests to patients on the Big Island. As providers who back up their care with detailed data, Dr. Donald Nikaitani and Dr. Richard Pekala use blood work results to detect disease, monitor physical changes, and adjust medication plans. Visit this Kailua-Kona, HI, general practice online to learn more about the board-certified physicians’ credentials, or call (808) 329-1346 to schedule a convenient appointment.