When you visit your primary care doctor for an annual physical checkup, blood tests are often part of the routine. These blood panel tests provide valuable insights into your overall health and help detect potential issues before they become serious problems.
Understanding what these tests measure can help you feel more prepared for your next appointment. This guide explains the most common blood panels primary care doctors order and what they reveal about your health.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
One of the most frequently ordered blood tests during routine physicals, this panel examines different components of your blood to assess your overall health status. It measures your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Low levels may indicate anemia, while high levels could suggest dehydration or other conditions.
White blood cells fight infections and disease. If your white blood cell count is elevated, it often signals an active infection or immune system response. Low counts may indicate a weakened immune system.
Platelets help your blood clot properly. Abnormal platelet levels can affect your body’s ability to stop bleeding or may indicate clotting disorders.
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
The basic metabolic panel evaluates how well your kidneys and other organs are functioning. This test measures eight different substances in your blood.
Your doctor will review your glucose levels to screen for diabetes or prediabetes. A normal fasting glucose level should register at below 100 mg/dL.
This panel also checks your electrolyte balance, including your sodium and potassium levels. These minerals help your muscles and nerves function properly. Imbalances can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, or irregular heartbeats.
Kidney function markers like creatinine and blood urea nitrogen show how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood. An elevated levels may indicate kidney problems that require further evaluation.
Lipid Panel
A lipid panel measures the fats and cholesterol in your blood, which helps assess your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Total cholesterol should ideally be below 200 mg/dL. Higher levels increase your risk of developing cardiovascular problems over time.
The test also measures HDL (good) cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol separately. While HDL cholesterol helps remove harmful cholesterol from arteries, LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries and cause blockages.
Triglycerides are another type of fat measured in this panel. High triglyceride levels combined with low HDL cholesterol significantly increase heart disease risk.
Hemoglobin A1C
Hemoglobin A1C provides a picture of your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. As such, this test is important for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes.
Normal A1C levels are below 5.7%. Levels between 5.7% and 6.4% indicate prediabetes. An A1C higher than 6.5% may indicate diabetes.
Unlike regular glucose tests that show your blood sugar at one moment in time, A1C gives a longer-term view of your blood sugar control.
Thyroid Function Tests
Thyroid function tests measure hormones that control your metabolism, energy levels, and body temperature. The most common test measures the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Whereas high TSH levels suggest an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), low TSH levels may indicate an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), which causes symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and anxiety.
Some doctors also order additional thyroid hormones like T3 and T4 for a more complete picture of thyroid function.
Liver Function Tests
Liver function tests check how well your liver is working and whether it has been damaged. These tests measure various enzymes and proteins produced by your liver.
Elevated liver enzymes may indicate liver damage from medications, alcohol, infections, or other conditions. Mild elevations, on the other hand, are sometimes temporary and should not cause concern.
Your doctor will interpret these results alongside your symptoms and medical history to determine if further testing is needed.
Vitamin and Mineral Levels
Many primary care doctors now include vitamin and mineral testing – such as tests that include vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron levels – as part of comprehensive health screenings.
Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common and can affect bone health, immune function, and energy levels. Most adults need vitamin D supplementation, especially during winter months.
If you are low in vitamin B12, it can cause fatigue, nerve problems, and anemia. This deficiency is more common in older adults and people following vegetarian diets.
Iron deficiency – causing anemia, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating – is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. It can cause anemia, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
When You Need These Tests
Most healthy adults should have blood work done annually as part of their routine physical exam. However, your doctor may recommend more frequent testing if you have certain risk factors or medical conditions.
People with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems typically need blood tests every three to six months. Those taking certain medications may also need regular monitoring.
Diagnostic Services in Dallas, Texas
Prime Internal Medicine Associates offers comprehensive diagnostic services to help monitor and maintain your health. Our experienced medical team provides thorough annual physical exams that include appropriate blood panel testing based on your individual health needs.
We understand that convenient access to quality healthcare is important. Our diagnostic services include all common blood panels discussed in this article, along with additional specialized testing when necessary. Our medical professionals take time to explain your test results and what they mean for your health.
Do not wait until you feel sick to get blood work done. Many serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney problems develop slowly without obvious symptoms, and these simple tests detect health problems early when they are most treatable.
Contact Prime Internal Medicine Associates today to book your appointment. Our friendly staff will help you find a convenient time for your comprehensive health screening.
Call us at (972) 239-5445 or use our Request an Appointment form to schedule your visit.
