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The Importance of Blood Tests

By Expert HERWriter
 
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By having regular blood tests, you can learn a lot about your health. The more you know, the better you are able to take care of your body.

Your blood can tell you something is wrong even before you know there is something wrong. It is important to establish your personal baseline to measure against for the future.

I have blood work done every three months to make sure I am taking charge of my health. I have included a list of all the tests I have done at Sonora Quest Laboratories in Arizona that help me keep my hormones in check. 

The list below does not include full medical descriptions and should not be used for diagnostic treatment. They are simply to help guide you to find out what tests are best for you.

Make sure to talk with your doctor regarding your laboratory tests so you can take charge of YOUR health.

  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Gives you information about your kidneys, liver, electrolyte and acid/base balance, levels of blood glucose and blood proteins.
  • Lipid Profile (Cholesterol, HDL, LDL and Triglycerides): Measures cholesterol in your body and determines your risk of heart disease.
  • TSH (ultra sensitive): Evaluates thyroid function.
  • T3: Helps diagnose hyperthyroidism. 
  • T4: Helps evaluate thyroid gland functions. 
  • FSH: Measures the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood, which can be used to determine infertility. 
  • Estradiol: The predominant sex hormone which impacts reproductive and sexual functioning, bone health, heart health nerves and metabolism. 
  • Testosterone (Free and Total): Helps test for conditions relating to infertility, low libido and signs of masculinization.
  • CA 125: Identifies cancer cells and may be used to test for ovarian cancer. 
  • NTx: Used to determine bone resorption. Important for women in menopause, women with eating disorders and certain breast cancer patients. 
  • Cortisol (Total and Free): Measures hormone levels that may show problems with the adrenal glands or pituitary gland. Important for energy and to manage stress. 
  • Serum Ferritin Level: Measures iron in the body. 
  • Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy: Measures Vitamin D in the body which helps control calcium and phosphate levels. 
  • DHEA-Sulfate: Used to check the function of the adrenal glands.

 

Sources include Sonora Quest Laboratories, Lab Tests Online, MedicineNet.com, PubMed.gov, Medicine Plus.

 

 

Reviewed October 9, 2012

by Michele Blacksberg RN

Edited by Jody Smith

Add a Comment3 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

When looking at blood work what does T3 and T4 mean compared to Free T3 and Free T4? Do you need to know each when looking at the blood work?

Also, when you call TSH ultra sensitive does that actually mean Free?

Thanks!

November 1, 2013 - 4:31pm

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scaredalone

No blood test is able to help me

October 22, 2013 - 6:06pm

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Marielaina Perrone DDS
Empowered
Blogger

Thanks for the comprehensive list. I printed the list out.

Marielaina Perrone DDS
Henderson Dental Implants

October 10, 2012 - 8:25pm

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Michelle King Robson
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Expert HERWriter View Profile

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.