Blood Tests
There are many different blood tests available. The commonest blood tests and some uncommon but relevant ones are:
- Blood counts – these measure the number of different cells per unit of blood. The results tell you the concentration of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Also known as Full Blood Count (FBC) Haematology results.
- Biochemistry – measures levels of sodium and potassium salts in the blood. These salts and ions help keep the acidity or pH of the blood at the optimum level for the body’s enzymes, muscle and nerve cells to work. Urea is a waste substance removed from the body via the kidneys, the level of urea is an indication of how well the kidneys are functioning. Also known as Us and Es or electrolytes.
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs) – a blood test measures enzymes and proteins in the blood, which reflect the health of the liver.
- Bone enzymes – a blood test that measures the level of calcium and protein in the blood and gives an indication of bone health.
- Tumour markers – these are abnormal proteins sometimes made by cancers, which can be measured in the blood and are often found in people with cancers of particular organs in the body. However the tumour markers can be raised in people who have benign conditions or nothing wrong at all. The tumour markers equally may not be raised in someone with a particular kind of cancer.
