If older people complain about any physical problem, a doctor is likely to suggest some blood tests. The test results will help the doctor in the diagnosis of the problem. Here we will discuss some of the blood tests.

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

  • A number of tests related to your blood cells fall under a CBC. The technician at a diagnostic centre in Uttarpara can derive the following results from the tests:
  • White blood cell count (WBCs): This shows the number of white blood cells per microliter of blood.
  • Red blood cell count (RBCs): It is possible to know the number of red blood cells per microliter of blood through this.
  • Haemoglobin (HGB): The pathologist can find out how many grams of this oxygen-carrying protein are there in one deciliter of blood.
  • Hematocrit (HCT): This is the measurement of the fraction of the blood made up of red blood cells.
  • Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): This gives information about the average size of red blood cells.
  • Platelet count (PLTs): This shows the number of platelets per microliter of blood.

These tests are available at a pathology centre near me.

2. Basic metabolic panel (basic electrolyte panel)

  • A doctor often suggests the measurement of electrolytes as part of a panel of seven or eight measurements. This usually includes the following and is known as a ‘chem.-7’ panel.

    • Sodium
    • Potassium
    • Chloride
    • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
    • Blood area nitrogen (BUN)
    • Creatinine
    • Glucose

    3. Comprehensive metabolic panel

    There are seven additional items apart from the above-mentioned items of the basic metabolic panel in this panel. It is also known as a ‘chem-14’. The seven additional items are:

    • Calcium
    • Total protein
    • Albumin
    • Bilirubin (total)
    • Alkaline phosphatase
    • AST (aspartate aminotransferase)
    • ALT (alanine aminotransferase)

    4. Lipid (cholesterol) panel

    The measurement of different types of cholesterol and related fats in the bloodstream is possible through these tests. The technicians at the diagnostic centre in Uttarpara are efficient in carrying out these tests. The following are included in the panel.

    • Total cholesterol
    • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as ‘good’ cholesterol
    • Triglycerides
    • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol

    5. Tests related to thyroid function

    These tests help to diagnose thyroid disorders. It also helps to calibrate the dosage of thyroid replacement medications. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (‘free T4’ or FT4) are the common thyroid function tests. The doctor may suggest other thyroid function tests in more complicated situations.

    6. Tests related to vitamin B12 levels

    The measurement of the serum levels of vitamin B12 is possible through these tests, which are done in a pathology lab in Hooghly. These tests also provide information on whether the levels are sufficient for the body’s needs. Vitamin B12 test and methylmalonic acid test are the two tests involved. There can be a need for additional tests if the vitamin B12 levels in an old person in order to know the exact cause of this vitamin deficiency.