Recent Articles of Interest

A commonly prescribed medical test currently used to determine if you are sick, having difficulties, healthy or to better pinpoint a current complaint or medical red-flag is a blood test referred to as a Complete Blood Count, or more commonly, CBC, its acronym.

Humans could not carry on without blood flowing from top to bottom within our bodies. It, makes sense it is one of the first tests ordered when figuring out diagnosis. CBC blood tests are often shouted by doctors in t.v. shows these days, but in actuality, it is a crucial step in knowing what is right and what is not right with you, at least, on the inside.

A CBC blood test can be requested by your physician simply when you are not feeling well, fatigued, or even if you simply have a flu. You don't have to be inches from your death bed, nor obviously ill to have CBC blood tests ordered.

But, that said, every year when you visit your doctor, or physician for your annual check-up, if your physician does not order a CBC Blood Test, you should ask for one. It is the cheapest, 'no brainer', maybe even life-saving act you can do and should do at least once a year.

Your complete blood count test, or CBC is a representation of your internal (which fuels your exterior) health and if there is something to worry about, odds are, life saving alerts will be found within your blood and its makeup. There are exceptions to the case, but be on the safe side, anyways. A number of determining factors are studied with CBC Blood Tests: white blood cells and red blood cells or levels, the HCT (or Hematocrit, which basically determines the volume of space which your blood occupies), Hgb (or Hemoglobin which accounts for the oxygen within your blood cells), and platelet count which determines your blood's ability to clot.

Too many or too few of another ingredient of your blood, depending on those numbers could be a alert that alerts your medical team what is really happening inside you. While the diagnosis variables can be numerous and cover a wide spectrum, having your CBC Blood Test at least per year, after visiting your doctor can provide you the answers to most questions about your overall health, that physical touch, listening to your heart, checking your lungs and opening your mouth and saying, 'Ahhhh,' just can't do.

A CBC (Complete Blood Count) Test (or Tests) can give you exact reasons why you are tired, not feeling 'normal', bruising more often than normal, having chest discomfort, have a virus, are showing allergic reactions, plus a mountain of other possibilities. But, perhaps even more important, these blood tests allow you the possibly life-saving, life stretching benefit of detecting early alerts and signs of maybe debilitating and life threatening trouble if ignored. Make a note now for both yourself and those you love to regularly (at least annually) take part in a CBC Blood Test or Complete Blood Count Tests. It may spare your life, but even if nothing is seriously wrong, it is an easy way to boost the quality of your current lifestyle.