What is the purpose of this test?
Walk-In Lab's Anemia #2 Essential Blood Test Panel is a set of tests that helps doctors find out if you have anemia, a condition where you don't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. This panel includes tests that check your blood for things like iron levels, vitamin B12, folic acid, and other factors that are important for making healthy red blood cells.
By doing these tests, doctors can see if you have a lack of iron or vitamins, or if there's another problem causing your anemia. This helps them figure out what might be wrong and how to treat it so you can feel better and have more energy.
The Anemia #2 Essential Blood Test Panel includes:
Iron w/TIBC - An Iron w/TIBC test measures the amount of iron in your blood and the Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), which shows how well iron is being carried in your blood. This test helps doctors find out if you have anemia, a condition where you don’t have enough red blood cells or iron to carry oxygen through your body. Low iron levels or high TIBC can indicate anemia or other iron-related issues.
Transferrin - A Transferrin test measures the amount of transferrin, a protein that helps carry iron in your blood. This test helps doctors check if you have anemia by showing how well your body is transporting iron. Low transferrin levels can suggest anemia or other problems with iron levels in the body.
Ferritin - A Ferritin test measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in your body. This test helps doctors check for anemia by showing how much iron is stored. Low ferritin levels can indicate iron deficiency anemia, meaning your body doesn't have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) -A Complete Blood Count (CBC) test measures different parts of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It helps screen for anemia by checking if you have enough red blood cells and if they are healthy. Low red blood cell counts or low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia, helping doctors diagnose and treat it. The CBC test includes:
- White Blood Cells (WBC) - The body's primary defense against disease and helps to fight infection.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC) - Responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide away from all cells. Iron deficiency will lower the RBC count.
- Hemoglobin - A chemical compound inside red cells that transports oxygen through the bloodstream to all body cells. Hemoglobin gives the red color to blood.
- Hematocrit - Measures the amount of space red blood cells take up in the blood. It is reported as a percentage.
- Neutrophils: Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells and are created by the bone marrow to combat a wide range of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
- Lymphocytes - B-cells and T-cells are lymphocytes that fight bacteria and other pathogens in the blood. They are primarily found in the lymph system.
- Monocytes - Working alongside neutrophils, monocytes play a vital role in fighting infections and other diseases and clearing away dead or damaged cells.
- Eosinophils - White blood cells called eosinophils become activated in response to allergies and certain infections.
- Basophils - Basophils play a role in detecting infections early on, as well as aiding in wound healing and reacting to allergic responses.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) - The average hemoglobin concentration within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) - The average hemoglobin concentration percentage within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) - The average size of red blood cells.
- Platelets - Blood cell particles associated with the forming of blood clots.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) - Measures the amount of red blood cell variation in volume and size.
- Absolute Neutrophils - The absolute neutrophil count measures the number of neutrophils in your blood. Normal range is 2,500-7,000 per microliter. Counts outside this range indicate a possible condition.
- Absolute Lymphocytes - To calculate your absolute lymphocyte count, multiply your white blood cell count by the percentage of lymphocytes. This gives you the number of lymphocytes as an absolute number.
- Absolute Monocytes - The absolute monocyte count indicates the number of monocytes in the blood, helping to identify if the count is normal, high, or low.
- Absolute Eosinophils - Absolute eosinophil count measures the number of eosinophils in blood by multiplying the percentage of eosinophils in a complete blood count with the total number of white blood cells in the same count.
- Absolute Basophils - Absolute basophil count is calculated by multiplying the percentage of basophils by the total number of white blood cells in a blood sample.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) - A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) test measures various chemicals and enzymes in your blood, including those related to your liver, kidneys, and electrolyte balance. It helps screen for anemia by checking overall health and detecting conditions that could affect red blood cell production or function, such as kidney disease or liver problems. Low levels of certain substances in the CMP can suggest anemia or other related issues. The CMP-14 test includes:
- Glucose - Blood sugar level, the most direct test to screen for diabetes and also used in diabetes management.
- Kidney Profile
- Bun or Urea Nitrogen (BUN) - An indicator of kidney function.
- Creatinine, Serum - An indicator of kidney function.
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio - Calculated by dividing BUN by creatinine. This ratio can suggest conditions including dehydration or intestinal bleeding.
- Liver Panel
- Protein, Total - Assists in determining liver and kidney function and nutritional health.
- Albumin Serum - One of the major proteins essential for the healthy function of the liver and kidney.
- Globulin, Total - One of the major proteins that assist the blood to clot properly and also comprises infection-fighting antibodies.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio - Calculated by dividing albumin by globulin. When paired with other test results, this ratio can assist in diagnosing various liver problems.
- Bilirubin, Total - Aids in detecting hepatitis, sickle cell, anemia, cirrhosis, alcohol, and drug abuse. High concentrations may result in jaundice.
- Alkaline Phosphatase - A protein vital in detecting bone disorders and liver disease.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) - An enzyme helpful in evaluating liver function. An elevated level is an indication of hepatitis.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) - An enzyme helpful in identifying liver damage. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Sodium - One of the major salts in body fluid. Sodium is important in water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
- Potassium - Helps to control the nerves and muscles.
- Chloride - Similar to sodium, it helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide, Total - Used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
- Calcium - A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It is also important for the normal function of muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
Vitamin B12 - A Vitamin B12 test measures the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. This vitamin is crucial for making red blood cells. Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are larger than normal and don't work properly. The test helps doctors diagnose and treat this type of anemia by checking if you have enough vitamin B12.
Folic Acid - A Folic Acid test measures the amount of folic acid, or vitamin B9, in your blood. Folic acid is important for making red blood cells and for cell growth. Low levels can lead to a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are larger than normal and don’t function properly. The test helps doctors diagnose this anemia by checking if you have enough folic acid.
Hemoglobin Solubility - A Hemoglobin Solubility test checks how well hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, dissolves in a special solution. This test helps screen for certain types of anemia, like sickle cell disease, by identifying abnormal hemoglobin that doesn't dissolve properly. If the test shows poor solubility, it can indicate conditions affecting hemoglobin and help guide further testing and treatment.
Benefits of the Anemia #2 Essential Blood Test Panel:
- Diagnoses Anemia: Helps identify if you have anemia by measuring key indicators like iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels.
- Finds the Cause: Provides insights into whether anemia is caused by deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid, or other underlying issues.
- Guides Treatment: Assists doctors in determining the most effective treatment based on your specific anemia cause.
- Monitors Health: Helps track your progress and response to treatment if you are already being treated for anemia.
- Improves Energy: By identifying and addressing anemia, it can help improve your energy levels and overall well-being.
