The many benefits of getting bloodwork, Part 1 of 3
Your blood can tell a great deal about your current health state. Whether you are five or eighty-five, having your blood drawn each year is important because it helps your doctor identify problems if there are any. Bloodwork is one of the most common preventative medical services, and yearly blood draws are typically covered by insurance. Getting your bloodwork done is quick and affordable. Oftentimes, we can get you in and out within half an hour and have comprehensive results back within a week.
Why You Should Get Your Bloodwork Done Annually
When performed regularly, bloodwork can reveal health concerns before they become major issues. Your blood can help your doctor identify problems with your organs, catch cancer early, and allow them to form a baseline for your natural levels. Some people have cholesterol that is naturally a little higher, but if we see a drastic spike from one year to the next, we can make recommendations for lifestyle changes or medication that will help bring those levels down. Bloodwork can catch diseases like leukemia, prostate cancer, liver cirrhosis, and others.
Blood tests show whether the levels of different substances in your blood fall within a normal range. For many blood substances, the normal range is the range of levels seen in 95 percent of healthy people in a certain group. For many tests, normal ranges vary depending on your age, gender, race, and other factors. Your blood test results may fall outside the normal range for many reasons. Abnormal results might be a sign of a disorder or disease. Other factors—such as diet, menstrual cycle, physical activity level, alcohol intake, and medicines (both prescription and over the counter)—also can cause abnormal results. Your doctor should discuss any unusual or abnormal blood test results with you. These results may or may not suggest a health problem. Many diseases and medical problems can’t be diagnosed with blood tests alone. However, blood tests can help you and your doctor learn more about your health. Blood tests also can help find potential problems early, when treatments or lifestyle changes may work best.
When you come to a provider like Atracare Health to get your bloodwork done, your doctor will order a set of tests that include your CMP, CBC, and a lipid panel. Your CMP, or complete blood count, looks at markers that measure liver function, kidney function, and electrolytes. Your doctor may also request a urine sample to accompany your bloodwork. If your bloodwork results raise any concerns, we are able to refer you to a specialist to help treat the issue. If you have any concerns about your health, please let your doctor know. For example, if you are having symptoms that indicate an issue with your thyroid, your doctor can add a test to your bloodwork to see what’s going on.
How Much Does Bloodwork Cost?
In many cases, annual bloodwork is completely covered by insurance. Most people don’t have to pay out of pocket, which is why it’s worth the time to come in and get your blood drawn even if you are young and healthy. If you don’t have insurance, we can narrow down the panel of tests and usually get your bill under $100. We work with Lab Corp, and they will ensure that you meet medical necessity so that you don’t get surprised with a huge bill.
What Age Should I Start Getting Annual Bloodwork?
Blood testing starts in childhood. If you saw a pediatrician as a kid, chances are they ordered a CBC and lead exposure panel for you. Bloodwork should be done every year, but some tests may be added by your doctor as you reach certain ages. For example, prostate cancer screening begins at age 45.
By William P Albanese III, PharmD, MBA, BCPS
Text Atracare Health to Make Your Annual Bloodwork Appointment
Getting your bloodwork done annually can help diagnose or prevent medical issues. As the premier partner in health for patients in Lewes, Delaware, we are dedicated to providing preventative medical services that are easily accessible. Making an appointment to get your bloodwork done is as simple as sending a text to 302 517 1385.
