Blood Work Analysis

Why would I need a complete blood count test?

The complete blood count test, or CBC, is common for all patients as part of routine care. The test assesses your risk of anemia, infections, certain cancers, immune system disorders, and clotting problems.

Part of the CBC is looking at your red blood cells. If your red blood cell count is low, for instance, you might be at risk of developing anemia, or you might be dehydrated. Checking your white blood cells as part of the CBC can help determine if you have an infection in your body, especially if your numbers are high.

The CBC also evaluates your platelets, in addition to your hemoglobin, which is a protein that helps transport oxygen around your body — abnormal numbers can be a sign of anemia or some other blood disorder.

Which blood tests check my urinary tract function?

A renal panel may be ordered in order to check your urinary tract function. The renal panel can tell Dr. Simek how well your kidneys are working by measuring several mineral levels, including your sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium. It also looks at other components that involve your kidneys, including your creatinine and glucose.

He may also run a liver panel, which measures liver enzymes in your blood.  If any of these counts are off, it will let Dr. Peter Simek know that he needs to conduct further testing.

Will I need my cholesterol checked?

Possibly, especially if you have a family history of heart disease, or have had an abnormal cholesterol test in the past. The cholesterol blood test looks at your total cholesterol, as well as all components, and shows your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL. This type of cholesterol is the beneficial one that carries out bad cholesterol through waste.

The cholesterol test also evaluates your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. This “bad” cholesterol is the one that’s known for stiffening and clogging your arteries. The cholesterol blood test also looks at your triglycerides. While not cholesterol, triglycerides are another component of blood that can further damage your arteries and elevate your risk of developing heart disease.