How Often Should You Take Blood Samples?

Although many people consider taking blood samples unnecessary because they are healthy, that is exactly why they should do so. Blood tests should be taken regularly to find diseases early enough to treat them in a timely manner. 

When your doctor asks for routine blood tests, they do so to look for signs of certain diseases that are common at a certain age. Some blood components may change before symptoms manifest. It creates a huge benefit for preventative treatment and prevents future complications. On the other hand, if the patient is already suffering from a chronic disease, routine blood tests can allow professionals to monitor the progression and effects of the prescribed treatments. 

As a rule, healthy people only need to take annual blood tests. However, patients with chronic diseases will need to take them more often, especially at the beginning of treatment.

What can doctors look at in the blood tests?

When we talk about blood tests, we are referring to the biochemical tests on blood tissue. Blood is a fluid that travels through the circulation through veins and arteries.

Although liquid, blood contains:

• Solids. The solid parts of blood are also known as shaped elements, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

• Liquids. The liquid part of the blood is blood plasma.

Some parts of the sample focus on the solid parts of the blood and analyze the cells. The number of red blood cells, for example, determines how many of these cells are present in a given amount of blood. The number of white blood cells and platelets can also be determined. In addition, a microscope can also see the shape of the solid blood elements. Red blood cells can be large or small and have malformations or specific limitations that give a signal of the presence of a disease.

In addition, the laboratories have a number of parameters for measuring the liquid part of the blood. They usually measure the concentration of sugar, creatine, urea, uric acid and lipids in the plasma. Medical professionals can also measure the concentration of ions such as sodium, magnesium and potassium. 

Through blood tests, a person can get information about the body’s hormonal concentration. Usually a doctor can request tests on the function of the thyroid gland to determine the number of hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

Finally, there is serology, used by laboratories to detect the presence of infectious diseases or the presence of antibodies to these diseases.

What blood samples should be taken for each age group

Certain routine blood tests have been established for each stage of life. In other words, medical professionals based on the patient’s age will focus on the most appropriate biochemical tests for them. These protocols have been set globally and nationally based on the usual ages for each disease. It is believed that these tests can help detect most diseases that cause death or altered quality of life.

Let’s take a look at why it is important to take blood samples at different stages of life.

Blood tests to take between 20 and 35 years

Although most diseases do not manifest at this age, annual checkups are fundamental to preventing future complications. Diseases that are detected early will be easier to treat.

Routine laboratory tests for this age group include blood percentage, kidney function, liver condition, blood sugar and lipids.  

Blood tests you should take if you are pregnant

During childbearing age, women can become pregnant. Pregnancy is a unique situation that requires specific blood tests for each of the trimesters.

Routine check-ups during pregnancy include blood counts at least once every three months to measure normal, as well as infections that may affect the fetus, such as toxoplasmosis, syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV. 

Between 35 and 55 years

This age group needs to take more blood samples as well, because the presence of chronic diseases in this demographic increases after the age of forty. Doctors indicate blood tests with imaging tests such as mammography, pathological tests such as cell samples and invasive tests such as colonoscopy.

Doctors usually add tests to see hormonal imbalances, especially in menopausal women.

After 60 years

The presence of disease is much higher in seniors. Many people over 60 already suffer from chronic conditions, which is why they have to take blood tests often. 

Conclusion

Taking blood samples is part of every healthy person’s routine. If someone is suffering from a disease, it is even more necessary to have a biochemical examination performed regularly to prevent the disease from progressing.

After a medical checkup, your doctor will know what kind of tests you should take according to your age and physical condition. Remember that taking blood samples in time can allow the team to detect serious problems and prevent irreversible situations that could affect your future health.