Latest news with #bloodtests
News.com.au
a day ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Huge blood test myth has finally been busted
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner explores whether or not blood tests are back for you. QUESTION: Dear Dr Zac, I saw a doctor on Instagram saying that getting blood tests can make you more sick, because the more blood you have drawn, it's taking away your immune system? Is that true or just social media pseudoscience? – Amanda, 27, Gold Coast ANSWER: If I had a dollar for every time an 'Instagram doctor' spread weird health advice, I'd be rich enough to launch my own line of overpriced supplements and film it shirtless in a rainforest. Let's get straight to it: The claim that drawing blood somehow removes your immune system is complete nonsense. According to this so-called 'Medical Medium' (who, by the way, says his info comes from a spirit – yes, really), taking blood for tests will make you sicker because it weakens your immune system. That's not just wrong, it's dangerously misleading. Here's why you shouldn't panic if your GP orders a blood test – and why listening to ghost-guided wellness influencers could do more harm than a few millilitres of blood ever could. Blood tests don't drain your immune system – just your TikTok feed. Let's bust the myth first: Your immune system doesn't live in your blood like it's floating around in a tiny lifeboat. Yes, some immune cells are in your bloodstream, but they're constantly being produced by your bone marrow and lymphatic system. Drawing a small amount of blood doesn't cripple your defences, it gives your doctor valuable clues to help strengthen them. Standard blood tests typically take about 5–10ml of blood. That's around two teaspoons. The average adult has five litres of blood. You've probably lost more than squeezing a pimple or stubbing your toe in the dark. Even if you get extensive testing done, say 50ml worth, it's still less than 2 per cent of your total blood volume. Your body replenishes that quickly, usually within 24–48 hours. Unless you're a lizard person (or actively haemorrhaging), you'll be just fine. But what about people who feel worse after blood tests? This is where things get a bit nuanced. Some people do feel faint, dizzy or tired after having blood drawn. But that's more to do with how the blood was taken (and whether you had breakfast) than the blood itself. Feeling queasy is often linked to: Vasovagal response (a fancy way of saying your body freaks out at needles), Low blood sugar, or anxiety. These are temporary reactions, not signs your immune system is crumbling. Where did this bizarre idea come from? The quote in question comes from Anthony William, aka the 'Medical Medium'. He claims to hear health advice from a spirit (who apparently skipped immunology class). He's not a licensed doctor, has no formal medical training, and has previously claimed celery juice can cure everything from anxiety to shingles. He's also built a multimillion-dollar wellness empire promoting unproven health advice, often to people who are desperate and vulnerable. That, in my opinion, is the real sickness. Sure, he throws in the odd disclaimer like 'work with your doctor,' but that's like a car salesman saying 'test the brakes' while handing you a steering wheel held on with duct tape. Here's what you actually should do around blood tests If you're sick or dealing with chronic illness, your doctor might want to order blood work to understand what's going on. That's a good thing. The faster you get the right diagnosis, the faster you can get the right treatment. Some basic tips for a smooth blood test experience: • Drink plenty of water beforehand (it makes veins easier to find) • Don't skip meals unless told to fast • If you get dizzy, let the phlebotomist know, they can take extra care • Rest afterwards if needed, and have a snack That's it. No sage burning or spirit communication required. The only thing scary about blood tests is the fact that some influencers think they're dangerous. Removing 5ml of blood won't wreck your immune system – but believing Instagram pseudoscience just might. Blood tests are safe, essential, and can literally save your life. And if someone tells you otherwise while claiming to get their health info from ghosts, maybe it's time to unfollow. You've got this. Dr Zac Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
GPs cut appointments after computer problems in Nottinghamshire
Some GPs say surgeries in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have cut down appointments as they deal with computer problems impacting the delivery of blood test results. Practices have complained of being "bombarded" with duplicate blood test results after new IT systems were introduced at hospital pathology labs in the city and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said it had made some progress sorting out the difficulties and was continuing to liaise with doctors. Dr Carter Singh, a GP at the Willowbrook Medical Practice in Sutton-in-Ashfield, said the problems receiving test results had created "extra stress and workload for doctors who are already stretched". In the first week since the new information technology systems at pathology labs went live, there have been a series of problems reporting blood test results to GP computer software needed updating because the old software used at the pathology labs based at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham City Hospital and King's Mill Hospital in Ashfield was no longer supported. This is not the first time there have been issues around information technology used for blood tests. In September 2024, Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust declared a critical incident because of computer problems. Dr Singh said one of the biggest problems had been working out what results had been sent to GPs electronically from the labs. He said: "Rather than one test result coming through, we have been dealing with duplicated results and others sometimes sent four or five times, [that are] exactly the same results. "It takes a lot of effort and energy to file and navigate and it means less time for patients." The Nottinghamshire Local Medical Committee (LMC), which represents local GPs, stressed it is continuing to work to resolve problems. Michael Wright, the LMC chief executive, said: "It is frustrating that practices were reassured the new system would work … it is causing so many problems." He understood the testing of the system was made on "dummy patients" - and only when it went live for real patients did problems said one GP was starting work early at 4.30am to get on top of the difficulties ahead of seeing patients, a situation Mr Wright concluded is "clearly unsustainable".He added some practices had declared a "black alert" status, meaning they were struggling to maintain their normal levels of Wright said he was not aware that patient safety had so far been compromised but concluded "the time needed to deal with these issues has to come from somewhere".He understood some surgeries have been forced to reduce the number of appointments offered as they grapple with computer problems and, if issues persist, that may have to continue. 'Significant progress' In a statement, Caroline Goulding, director of Primary Care at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: "We have experienced some issues following the launch of new IT systems in the pathology departments at Nottingham University Hospitals and Sherwood Forest Hospitals on 30 June."This has been impacting the way blood test results are reported to GP practices. Whilst this has not affected the accuracy and quality of the tests, it has, regrettably, led to practices requiring extra time to process and study those results due to the way they have been provided."The ICB and hospital leaders have been working with GP representatives to work through these problems at speed and significant progress has been made."The new IT systems were required to replace an old system which was no longer being supported by the supplier and, as with many projects of this size and complexity, this can sometimes lead to some short-term disruption."We are sorry for the significant impact this has had on our GP practices and are grateful for their continued hard work and support during this."
CNET
17-06-2025
- Health
- CNET
Stay on Top of These 6 Blood Tests to Make Sure You're Monitoring Your Health
Having your blood drawn might not be much fun, but regular diagnostic tests of your blood can detect diseases early for treatment and give your doctor and medical providers critical information about how well your body is functioning. The proper frequency of these blood tests depends on your age and personal health status -- the most important thing is to ask your doctor which tests you need and when you need them. With all the different types of blood tests out there, it's good to go into your health care provider with a sense of what the most popular tests do and how they work. To help you out, we spoke with doctors for their expert insights about some important blood tests you may want to talk to your doctor about. 1. Complete blood count The complete blood count routine test provides a snapshot of your body's blood production and immunity. The test measures a variety of components in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Dr. Soma Mandal, a board-certified internist at Summit Health in New Providence, New Jersey, says that getting a CBC test is "recommended for individuals of all ages as part of a routine health examination or when symptoms suggest a potential health issue." Dr. Maria Knöbel, medical director of Medical Cert UK, agrees that this foundational test is appropriate for many patients. She says the test is ideal for anyone undergoing a routine health check-up. Still, she advises that you may want to get it if you're "experiencing symptoms like persistent fatigue, unexplained bruising or frequent infections." A CBC blood test can indicate lots of things, including: Allergies Anemia Certain cancers Heart disease Immune system disorders Infection Inflammation Iron deficiency Leukemia Low platelets (can affect blood clotting) Risk of clotting and bleeding Vitamin deficiency Mandal explains that each lab may have slight variations for what they consider "normal" test results. The ranges typically accepted as normal for adults are: Red blood cells: 4.5-5.9 million cells per microliter (men), 4.1-5.1 million cells per microliter (women) White blood cells: 4,500-11,000 cells per microliter Hemoglobin: 13.8-17.2 grams per deciliter (men), 12.1-15.1 grams per deciliter (women) Hematocrit: 40.7%-50.3% (men), 36.1%-44.3% (women) Platelets: 150,000-450,000 platelets per microliter 2. Lipid panel Lipids are fats and fatty substances in your blood. One type of lipid is cholesterol, which is used as a source of energy. Too much "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) can damage your heart. You may need to get this test if you have cardiovascular disease or other risk factors. Mandal states this test is essential for anyone "at risk of cardiovascular diseases, including those with a family history of heart disease, smokers, people with hypertension or those who are overweight." Knöbel explains that a lipid panel measures total cholesterol and also breaks it down into HDL/LDL: Triglycerides LDL (bad cholesterol) HDL (good cholesterol) She says, "Elevated LDL levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, while high HDL levels are generally protective. Elevated triglycerides can also indicate a risk for heart disease and may be associated with other conditions like diabetes." The normal parameters for a lipid panel in adults are: Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL LDL cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL or higher (men), 50 mg/dL or higher (women) Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL3. Basic metabolic panel The basic metabolic panel (BMP) measures what Knöbel calls "critical aspects of your body's chemistry." This includes glucose, calcium and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and bicarbonate. The test also looks for kidney function indicators, such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. "Glucose levels provide insight into blood sugar control," Knöbel explains. "Electrolyte imbalances can reveal issues related to dehydration, kidney disease or metabolic imbalances. Abnormal calcium levels can indicate issues with bone health or parathyroid function." BMP is often part of a routine exam. It also may be recommended for patients with diabetes or kidney disease or those at risk for these conditions. The results of your BMP could indicate: Dehydration Deteriorating bone health Diabetes Hypertension Kidney disease For adults, Mandal says the normal ranges for results of this test are: Bicarbonate: 23-30 mEq/L Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): 7-20 mg/dL Calcium: 8.5-10.2 mg/dL Chloride: 96-106 mEq/L Creatinine: 0.6-1.3 mg/dL Glucose: 70-99 mg/dL (fasting) Potassium: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L 4. Hemoglobin A1C The Hemoglobin A1C test, also called the HbA1c, is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. Mandel explains that it's primarily used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and pre-diabetes. If you're overweight, have symptoms of diabetes, have a family history of diabetes or are over the age of 45, the doctor says you may also want to get this test. A daily sugar test gives you a short-term view of your blood sugar level. On the other hand, this test is a long-term view of how well your body is managing glucose. Getting an HbA1c test could reveal a few things about your health: Diabetes Poor blood sugar control (higher risk of diabetes-related complications) Pre-diabetes Normal ranges for test results are: Normal: Less than 5.7% Pre-diabetes: 5.7% to 6.4% Diabetes: 6.5% or higher 5. Thyroid function tests If you are experiencing fatigue, weight changes, irregular heartbeat, hair loss or mood swings, you may want to get a thyroid function test. Typically prescribed only if you display symptoms such as those previously mentioned, this test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in your blood. Your doctors can use the results to see how well your thyroid (a small, hormone-releasing gland in the front of your throat) is functioning. Mandal tells us this test is commonly included in routine health screenings, especially in women older than 60. Your blood test may indicate: High TSH levels/hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) Low TSH levels/hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) Abnormal levels of T3 and T4 (other thyroid disorders) Doctors typically consider the following normal ranges for test results in adults: TSH levels: 0.4-4.0 mIU/L Free T4 levels: 0.8-1.8 ng/dL Free T3 levels: 2.3-4.2 pg/mL 6. 25-hydroxy vitamin D According to Mount Sinai, a hospital system in New York, some older patients can benefit from getting a 25-hydroxy test to check their vitamin D levels. People who are older than 65, have osteoporosis, get limited sun exposure and/or have celiac disease, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis may benefit from the test. Most people get ample vitamin D from the sun. Both skin production and gut absorption of the vitamin declines as we age. It's important to find out if you don't have enough vitamin D because it helps with everything from bone health to immunity and energy levels. The 25-hydroxy vitamin D will reveal two things: 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 25 hydroxy vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) There is some disagreement among doctors about what a healthy range is for vitamin D but one generally accepted range is 20 and 40 ng/mL. Blood test FAQs Why are blood tests important? Blood tests are important because they can help doctors monitor your health and the effectiveness of treatments. They can also help doctors diagnose different medical conditions and determine the best treatment path. If my blood tests are normal, could I still have cancer? Routine blood tests may not be able to detect most types of cancer so even if your blood tests come back normal, you could still have cancer. Cancers also require additional diagnostic and laboratory testing for confirmation. If you're concerned about a certain type of cancer, discuss this with your doctor. Which blood tests need to be fasting? According to Harvard Health, fasting is often advised before tests such as glucose (blood sugar) and triglycerides, the latter of which is part of the cholesterol or lipid panel. Consult your doctor if you're confused about how long you should fast before your blood tests. The bottom line It's always important to discuss your health and any related concerns with your doctor before requesting any type of test. Based on your personal situation and health plan, your doctor may request blood work not on this list or say that you don't need some of the above tests. As a general rule, many people can benefit from CBC, lipid panel, BMP and hemoglobin A1C even without any symptoms. Also, thyroid function and vitamin D tests should be considered if you experience any symptoms. If you're older, you may also want to talk to your physician about your vitamin D absorption. If your labs are abnormal, you may need additional screening and more frequent repeat labs. If your labs are normal, these labs may only need to be repeated once a year while doing your annual exam with your primary doctor.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Anneka was told she had kidney failure in her 30s. The cause? Undetected high blood pressure. As cases skyrocket, she now reveals the signs that were missed - and the simple test everyone should take
It was only by chance that Anneka Murphy discovered the awful truth. While at work one day, the primary school teacher from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was accidentally pricked by the needle of a diabetic pupil's insulin syringe. Although she wasn't overly concerned about the risk of infection, she visited her GP for precautionary blood tests.
Wall Street Journal
23-05-2025
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
New Tests Promise to Reveal the Secrets in Your Blood
Blood tests have long been an important tool for giving doctors a picture of a patient's health, from cholesterol levels to diabetes risk. Now new genetic science, AI analysis and other advances are providing even more sophisticated information from a simple vial of blood. A wave of cutting-edge diagnostic tests can now identify diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's at much earlier stages, sometimes long before symptoms appear, as well as manage chronic disease and tailor treatments to individual patients. And new data derived from blood can help tailor treatments to individual patients.
