How Often Do You Have To Have A Blood Test?
Although some people consider that it is not necessary to have a blood test because they are healthy, the truth is that this thought is the reason for taking them. Blood tests are requested periodically to detect pathologies and treat them in good time.
There are components of the blood that can be altered before symptoms appear. This generates a clear advantage for preventive treatment, and avoids future complications.
What is a blood test for?
A blood test consists of performing biochemical tests on blood tissue.
When the doctor asks for it, he is looking for signs of certain diseases that are more frequent for each age. And if the patient already has a chronic disease, the analysis allows the professional to monitor the evolution and effectiveness of the prescribed treatment.
As a general rule, for people who consider themselves healthy it will only be necessary to have an annual blood test. On the other hand, for patients with chronic diseases it will be necessary to shorten this period; above all, at the beginning of the treatments.
The role of blood in tests
Blood is a liquid tissue in the body that travels through the circulatory system through veins and arteries. This serves as a means of knowing the internal state of the body due to the speed of the tests and its easy accessibility.
Experts explain that laboratories have the ability to provide accurate results; since its usefulness is proven. In addition, although it is liquid, blood is made up of two groups of components:
- Solids: the solid part of the blood is also known as formed elements. Here are the red blood cells, the white blood cells, and the platelets.
- Liquids: The liquid part of the blood is blood plasma or serum.
What is seen in a blood test?
Some biochemical tests focus on the solid part of the blood to analyze its cells. The red blood cell count, for example, determines how many of these cells are present in a certain amount of blood. Likewise, the number of white blood cells and platelets can also be counted.
- On the solid part, it is possible to establish the shape of the elements by looking through the microscope. In this line, the red blood cells can be more or less large ; with deformities or with particular limits that indicate the presence of some disease.
- In the serum or liquid part, the laboratory has infinite parameters. The most common and routine is to measure the concentration in plasma of sugar, creatinine (waste product generated by the muscles), urea, uric acid and lipids. The ion concentration is also determined; like sodium, magnesium and potassium.
By taking a blood test, a person is able to receive information about the level of hormones in their body. In fact, it is common for the thyroid profile to be requested to know the amount of hormones produced by the thyroid.
Likewise, the National Center for Biotechnology Information emphasizes the importance of serologies; where the laboratory seeks to detect the presence of infectious diseases or antibodies against those same conditions.
What is requested at each age?
For each stage of life, certain blood tests have been established that are considered routine. That is, the medical professional (based on the age of the patient) is oriented on which would be the most appropriate biochemical tests.
These protocols have been established worldwide and nationally, considering the most frequent diseases for each age. It is assumed that by conducting these scans in the general population, most diseases that cause death or alter the quality of life would be detected in time.
Between 20 and 35 years
Although it is the age with the fewest diseases in general, annual screening is essential to prevent future complications. Therefore, what is detected in time at this stage will be treated with more advantages.
As the following study published by the Las Condes Clinical Medical Journal shows , the laboratory routine for this age group includes tests with a blood count. Likewise, kidney function, liver status, blood sugar, and cholesterol profile (good, bad, and triglycerides) will be observed.
Pregnant
During the woman’s childbearing age, pregnancy can occur. This is a particular situation that requires specific analysis for that moment, and for each of the trimesters of pregnancy.
The control routines in these cases require a blood test, at least once a quarter, to measure the different aspects. In addition, thanks to this it will be possible to create a trace of infections that would affect the fetus; such as toxoplasmosis, syphilis, hepatitis B, or AIDS.
From 35 to 55 years old
This age group needs to intensify its controls, since after the age of forty the prevalence of chronic diseases in the population increases.
Blood tests are combined with imaging tests, such as mammography; with pathology tests, such as Pap smears (to detect uterine cancer); and with invasive tests, such as colonoscopy.
Also, doctors add to the common tests the tracking of hormonal alterations; especially for women who are in the menopausal period.
After age 60
For the elderly, specialists in the area of Hospital Nutrition suggest that the risk of contracting diseases is greater than in other groups.
In fact, a large number of people over the age of sixty already suffer from a chronic disease. For this reason, they require a blood test within one year of the last one.
The importance of having a blood test
Taking a blood test is part of the routine of a healthy person. If you have a disease, all the more reason it will be necessary to undergo a biochemical examination regularly to avoid progress of the pathology.
By conducting a medical consultation, the professional will know what to ask for according to your age and physical conditions. Remember that an analysis in time can detect serious problems and avoid irreversible situations in the future.
