You’ve decided it’s about time that you went for a comprehensive blood test since it’s been a while since you’ve had one done. But which blood profiles or tests should you choose? Are all of them relevant or useful for you?
Clari Health offers three packages, the Basic Screening Package, Advanced Screening Package and Executive Screening Package so that our clients will be able to choose tests that are relevant to them, based on a multitude of factors including medical history, age and risk profile.
However, if you are unfamiliar with the blood profiles offered in our packages, read on to find out more:
Haematology Profile
A haematology profile, also know as a complete blood count (CBC) test. checks for levels of 10 different components of every major cell in your blood: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Important components measured by this test include red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.
Here’s the typical range of results:
| Component | Normal range |
|---|---|
| red blood cells | men: 4.32–5.72 million cells/mcL; women: 3.90–5.03 million cells/mcL |
| white blood cells | 3,500 to 10,500 cells/mcL |
| platelets | 150,000 to 450,000/mcL |
| hemoglobin | men: 13.5–17.5 grams/deciliter (g/dL); women: 12.0–15.5 g/dL |
| hematocrit | men: 38.8–50.0 percent; women: 34.9–44.5 percent |
Abnormal levels of these components may indicate:
- nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B-6 or B-12
- iron deficiency
- bone marrow issues
- tissue inflammation
- infection
- heart conditions
- cancer
Based on your results, your doctor will order follow-up tests to confirm abnormal levels and a possible diagnosis.
Metabolic Profile
A metabolic profile checks for levels of certain compounds in the blood, such as:
- electrolytes
- calcium
- glucose
- sodium
- potassium
- carbon dioxide
- chloride
- blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- creatinine
Abnormal results may indicate kidney disease, diabetes, or hormone imbalances. Your doctor will perform follow-up tests to diagnose any of these conditions.
Liver Profile
A liver profile includes elements from a metabolic profile as well as additional proteins and substances related to liver function:
- albumin
- total protein
- alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- bilirubin
Abnormal levels can indicate underlying conditions, such as:
| High levels | Low levels | |
|---|---|---|
| ALP | • bile duct blockage • cirrhosis • gallbladder inflammation • gallstones • hepatitis • Paget’s disease | • bone metabolism disorders • heart surgery • malnourish • mentzinc deficiency |
| ALT | • cirrhosis • hepatitis • liver cancer • liver damage | considered normal |
| AST | • cirrhosis • heart conditions • hepatitis • mononucleosis • (mono)pancreatitis | considered normal |
| Bilirubin | • abnormal red blood cell destruction (hemolysis) • adverse medication reactions • bile duct blockage • Gilbert’s syndrome • hepatitis | not a concern |
Lipid and Cardiac Risk Profile
This test checks levels of two types of cholesterol:
- high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol
- low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol
HDL is “good” because it removes harmful substances from your blood and helps the liver break them down into waste. LDL is “bad” because it can cause plaque to develop in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease.
You need to fast for at least 8 hours before this test.
Here are the ranges for each type:
| High | Low | |
|---|---|---|
| HDL | > 60 mg/dL | men: < 40 mg/dL; women: < 50 mg/dL |
| LDL | > 160 mg/dL | < 100 mg/dL |
Normal levels can also vary by age.
Thyroid Profile
A thyroid profile, or thyroid function test, checks how well your thyroid is producing and reacting to certain hormones, such as:
- Triiodothyronine (T3). Along with T4, this regulates your heart rate and body temperature.
- T3 resin uptake (RU). This measures how well a hormone called thyroxin-binding globulin is binding.
- Thyroxine (T4). Along with T3, this regulates your metabolism and how you grow.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This helps regulate the levels of hormones your thyroid releases.
Your thyroid, a tiny gland in your neck, helps regulate bodily functions like your mood, energy level, and overall metabolism.
Here are normal results:
- T3:100–200 nanograms per deciliter of blood (ng/dL)
- T3RU:depends on T3 levels (will be low if T3 levels are high, and vice versa)
- T4: 5.0–12.0 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL)
- TSH:0.4–4.0 milli-international units per liter of blood (mIU/L)
Abnormal levels of these hormones can indicate numerous conditions, such as low protein levels, thyroid growth disorders, and abnormal levels of testosterone or estrogen.
