The 4 Common Blood Tests Every Senior Should Have

At the end of a visit with your doctor, it’s not unusual to hear that you need a blood test. You are certainly not alone with this common request-- there are over 7 billion blood tests performed in the United States every year.

Understanding your what your blood tests are checking and their results is important. It can help you see why your doctor prescribes certain medications or wants you to change particular lifestyle habits. For instance, your doctor might look at your test results and tell you to get more calcium in your diet. They might note that you have anemia, which can lead to fatigue, which can lead to falls – therefore, the doctor can offer some solutions that can help.

As we get older, there are certain conditions that become more prevalent, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. Therefore, you can expect to get your blood drawn at least once a year, during your annual physical. If you have ongoing medical concerns, you might be tested every quarter, or even every month. Here’s what you need to know about the 4 most common blood tests for seniors.

1.       Complete Blood Count (CBC)

This test can help your doctor diagnose health problems like anemia, infections, bone marrow problems, how well your blood is clotting, and much more. This blood count tests for a wide variety of things, including:

·         White blood cell count (WBC). This number can go up if you are fighting an infection or taking certain medications.

·         Red blood cell count (RBC). This plays a part in helping doctors diagnose anemia. If this and the WBC are low, it could spell problems with bone marrow.

·         Hemoglobin. If this number is low, it’s because your cells aren’t receiving enough oxygen, and you might be quite fatigued.

·         Hematocrit. This blood test can reveal anemia, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, blood loss, dehydration, blood disorder, or certain heart and lung diseases, according to the Mayo Clinic.

·         Platelet count. This can reveal autoimmune disorders, anemia, cancer, bone marrow diseases, and can be affected by certain medications, such as those for cancer.

2.       The Basic Metabolic Panel

This test measures seven key electrolytes in your blood. These measurements can help your doctor adjust your diet, lifestyle, and medication recommendations to make you feel better. You might hear this test referred to as a “Chem-7.” It covers the following:

·         Sodium levels, which can fluctuate if you are on certain medications, including blood pressure medications.

·         Potassium, which can also change with the medications you are taking.

·         Carbon dioxide levels. These are sometimes referred to as “bicarbonate” because this is the chemical form of carbon dioxide found in the bloodstream. This helps your doctor track your kidney and lung function.

·         Blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, measures kidney function.

·         Creatinine also measures kidney function, which can be affected by certain medications or diseases. When combined with the glomerular filtration rate, this helps doctors understand how well your kidneys are filtering out waste.

·         Glucose levels point to issues with diabetes or low blood sugar.

·         Chloride. This can point to many problems, including dehydration, kidney disease, metabolic acidosis, heart failure, lung disease, and more.

3.       The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

This panel takes a deeper dive into metabolic issues you might be facing. It covers an additional seven items and is sometimes referred to as the “Chem-14.” This includes the following:

·         Calcium is an important measure for seniors as it determines the intake of calcium and total calcium stores in the body. Levels that are too high or too low can cause cognitive issues.

·         Albumin is a protein in the blood that can point to a liver problem or malnutrition.

·         Liver enzyme counts can point to problems with the liver.

·         Bilirubin can be elevated due to gallstones or some issue that is blocking the bile ducts.

·         Alkaline phosphatase points to issues with the liver or problems with bone metabolism.

·         Total protein. This part of the test can determine if you have chronic inflammation, internal bleeding, liver disease, malnutrition, kidney problems, and much more.

4.       The Lipid Panel

This panel measures your cholesterol levels and other fats in the blood. In particular, it looks at four different numbers:

·         High-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as the “good” cholesterol.

·         Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as the “bad” cholesterol.

·         Triglycerides, or the fat floating around in your blood.

·         Total cholesterol, which should be at 200 mg/dL or lower.

Cholesterol levels can determine your risk of cardiovascular disease. If the numbers are not in a normal range, your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes or medications.

The American Heart Association recommends that adults over the age of 20 have their cholesterol checked every four to six years. However, your doctor might order this test every year, especially if you have had elevated counts and are working to bring your numbers into a normal range.

Other Common Blood Tests

As we get older, certain blood tests become more important. In addition to the four tests listed above, doctors might choose to order thyroid function tests, measurements of B12 levels, hemoglobin A1C to check your blood glucose levels, tests to determine how well your blood clots, and in-depth tests for heart function and iron levels.

All of these blood tests work together to provide an overall picture of your health. Some of them might be more important than others, depending upon your medical situation. For example, those who are suffering from severe fatigue might have lower B12 levels or low iron levels, both of which can contribute to anemia. The hemoglobin A1C measures the changes in blood sugar over time, so someone who has a good blood sugar reading with a basic finger-prick test might have an A1C that is higher than expected – this could be a more reliable indicator of diabetes.

It’s also important to remember that the blood test results can play a part in fall prevention. How does that work? Let’s say you have a lower level of B12 in your blood. This can lead to issues with cognitive function and mobility, which can lead to an increased risk of falls.

No matter what blood tests you get, ask your doctor to give you a copy of them for your personal medical file. Also ask your doctor to explain all the results to you, especially those that fall outside of what the laboratory deems a “normal” range.

As you get older, you will likely face blood draws more and more often. If the blood test allows it, drink water so you are well hydrated and your veins are easier to find. Don’t be afraid to ask for the smallest sized needle, and if the phlebotomist is having trouble finding a vein, don’t hesitate to request they use a heating pad or warm towel on your arm which can help them locate a good vein. Most labs do have those on hand for just such a reason.

As always, Alert1 wishes you abundant health and wellness!