What are they looking for in my blood?

They will test if you are anaemic by looking at the red blood cells (RBC), haematocrit (RBC volume) and how much oxygen they carry depending on their colouration (pale cells indicate low iron and anaemia) and high haematocrit indicates dehydration also if you have a high level of white blood cells that indicates an infection. They may also be looking for any blood parasites (however this is unlikely so dont worry!) They may also check hormone levels to make sure you are functioning correctly, sugar level etc for diabetes.
They will also look at your platelet levels to make sure that if you do get injured then your blood will be able to clot properly.

I’m guessing they want to check for your blood cell counts, both white blood cells, your immune system, and red blood cells like bongo said. They’ll also check enzyme levels to see if anything is off. I’ve had tons of these checks. Nothing to worry about.

I’m not worried, just interested in the “diagnoses” they can find in blood ;) Thank you !

There are any number of diseases and syndromes which can help get diagnosed via the blood. As others have answered, anemia is one of them, but other potential diseases are leukemia, hemophilia, and dozens more.

So by checking, they are screening for minor stuff and also for major stuff. Until you get back results, don’t be alarmed.

http://www.peoples-health.com/blood-diseases.htm

@scuniper I come from a family with a lousy genetic makeup. It’s amazing what they can tell from blood tests. They can check for most organ functions, blood chemistry, etc.

@Adirondackwannabe It’s fascinating. I’m always amazed what chemists can find out through a few chemical tests that you could never find out before it showed through symptoms otherwise..!

@scuniper There’s a lot of enzymes they look at, plus all the chemicals in the blood. I’m guessing they’re doing it as a precautionary step.

Now my doctor ordered a blood test. What will they look for ?

Did you ask him this question?

He said, and this is loosely translated from german : ”...I’ll schedule an appointment for you tomorrow for a blood testm to see if everything is how it’s supposed to be in a young woman’s blood…”
;)

How many viles of blood did they take? Was it three, or more like 6?

Your blood can show alot of information about our general health. Someone already covered anemic, but there’s tons of diseases that can be found by your blood. Diabetes is one, HIV and AIDS are more (but you don’t have to worry about HIV/AIDS because they would have called you almost right back) liver problems and a whole assortment of things are a possibility. When I do my tests at the doctor they take 2 vials of blood to measure my A1C, which is pretty much how much sugar is in my blood. Did they do any other test with you there?

@JLeslie : only one..

@Moegitto no, they didn’t do any other tests…

I just saw what you said about what the doctor said. I’m going to guess he just did very basic routine tests, people above have already named most of them.

Hormones, especially thyroid. The test would be called TSH in English. Also a CBC, which is the red blood cells, platelets, white count, etc. Another might be the CMP which is electrolytes and some others.

If he was checking for a specific illness he might have ordered tests for autoimmune disease, but then that would likely be 6 viles of blood taken in total.

He may have checked for cholesterol/lipids, but that would not be a test associated with immunity.

Look at your lab results, do not rely just on your doctor to interpret them. If he did not test you for Vitamin D I highly recommend it, especially if you live in Germany.

Oh, one?! He barely tested anything. Very basic. It’s possible your labs are different than ours and don’t need to do as many separate viles, but still, he did only very basic tests. Let us know what he tested when you get the results back if you want us to tell you what the tests mean, or you can google them of course.

Vitamin D especially in Germany ? Why’s that ? Little sun ?
I’ll let you know if they find out anything..

What made you go to the doctor in the first place? This could be a major clue to answer your question.

Laryngitis-but I’ve been a regular visitor lately..

@scuniper Just that you live in a cold weather country. I tell Americans the same thing, even if they live in Florida, because most Floridians use sun protection daily. Almost everyone I know is vitamin D dificient.

@scuniper What’s your calcium intake per day?

@JLeslie -indeed. Bad weather right now. ;/ @Adirondackwannabe….I don’t take any supplements…But I eat enough dairy and so on, I think.

You can rule out some of the big diagnosis, because doctors have a sort of oath to let the patient know if their life is in danger. But the fact that they just did a basic test is what worries me, they automatically ruled out causes before they even tried to see if there were any. Blood test are normal procedure for most doctor visits, you might be overreacting to this. But I know how much you want to find a way to put yourself at ease. If you can keep us updated with any upcoming facts or results, that can help alot. All we’re really doing right now is putting stuff in your head an possibly making things worse, like telling a kid they “may” get something good for christmas.

I am not recommending you just pop a bunch of vitamin D, I am recommending you get your level checked in a blood test.

@scuniper Do you think you get at least 1300 mg per day?

@Adirondackwannabe The D is important for the absorption of the calcium. Otherwise the calcium builds up in the soft tissues rather than the bone. I think it is part of heart disease puzzle, along with other health issues. I think calcium is important, believe me, especially for young women, but the D is just as important to make the calcium effective.

@JLeslie Agreed. One without the other doesn’t help much.

Thing is it can actually harm.

….my doctor got the results back, and said everything looks great ;) Thanks !

@scuniper Thanks for letting us know! Still, I suggest next time you get a blood test have them test your vitamin D, I would bet money he didn’t test it.

@JLeslie I’ll ask him ;)