What is a comprehensive blood test and is such a blood test useful?

We are often asked if it is possible to have the blood tested for everything through a blood test. However, the truth is that this is virtually impossible. And yet… In our private lancing center, both men and women can go for very comprehensive blood analyses. In the preventive panel “check up comprehensive” more than 40 parameters are mapped and give a clear picture about your general health. We also advise you which panel of blood tests best suits your question or concern.

But why and how important are such blood tests for the functioning of our bodies? And what all should be tested for to get the most complete and accurate picture possible? We list everything.

Prevention is better than cure. A phrase you may have heard thousands of times, but it still rings true. Good health starts with a preventive approach. Having your blood tested on a frequent basis can certainly provide useful information here. After all, it gives insight into the functioning of your body. We can examine a lot today: the proper functioning of various organs, the risk of, for example cardiovascular diseases, whether you have a shortage of vitamins have, gluten intolerance,…

The importance of prevention

Agreed, common symptoms of illness such as the flu, a cold or a headache do not easily set off alarm bells. Nevertheless, it is important that when such symptoms occur more frequently, don’t simply ignore them. On the contrary, it is always possible that there is more going on. A blood analysis can certainly rule out certain things or show certain diseases. For example, liver, thyroid or kidney diseases can be detected at an early stage. This way you can take much more precise measures and still be referred to a doctor if necessary.

So be on the safe side, try to avoid risks, and when in doubt, have your blood tested in a timely manner.

Measuring cholesterol with a blood test

Not only total cholesterol, but also the ratio of your LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) to HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), is analyzed. To complete the lipid bilan, triglycerides are also measured.

The importance of nutrients or nutrients

Nutrients are essential to our bodies and important for their proper functioning. Through a blood test you can find out if you have deficiencies or, on the contrary, an excess of the most important vitamins and minerals. Again, when you suffer from at first glance little abnormal symptoms such as, for example fatigue, muscle aches, lethargy, difficulty concentrating there may still be more to it. It may indicate a shortage of certain necessary nutrients. So it is important to detect such deficiencies in time and take action where necessary.

Healthy mind in a healthy body

Last but not least, a healthy mind in a healthy body still remains valid advice for each of us. So preventive blood sampling and analysis is simply an efficient and quick way to take good care of yourself.

Through a general check-up, we measure about 40 parameters in your blood. These give as complete a picture as possible of your current state of health. Below we describe what you can expect from such a general blood test and what things, among other things, we chart.

Measuring cholesterol and fats in your blood

When cholesterol levels are measured in the blood, several values determine the general state of health. In addition to total cholesterol, we also distinguish between good(HDL) and bad cholesterol(LDL). The lower the LDL values, the better. In addition, triglycerides are also measured. This lipid bilan is an important indicator of the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Measuring diabetes by a laboratory test

In order to determine whether or not you have diabetes or diabetes, your blood sugar or blood glucose level is checked. Here there is a difference between a sober state and the value you may have after eating a meal. If you are sober, the value should be below 126 mg/dL. If you have already eaten a meal, the value should not exceed 200 mg/dL. If not, it is best to be further investigated for diabetes.

Not only the glucose value is measured. We also measure the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin: the glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1c is like a memory of your sugar balance. If it is elevated, it indicates excessive sugar levels in the months preceding the blood draw, even though your blood sugar levels were normal at the time of the draw.

Kidney function studies

To check whether the kidneys are performing their function properly, the blood is examined for creatinine and urea levels. Creatinine is a waste product of the muscles, urea is released during the breakdown of proteins. The kidneys ensure that these substances are purified from the blood. When excessive values are detected, there may be malfunctioning kidneys.

Liver function studies

Liver function is examined by determining the levels of specific substances in our body. These include values for liver enzymes, proteins and bilirubin. Each of these components tells us something about the functioning of the liver.

Changing liver function can point toward liver disease but does not necessarily mean the worst right away. The cause can often also be found in alcohol consumption, medication use, obesity or changing dietary patterns. Timely detection and proper follow-up of advice can ensure that the liver quickly recovers. So a blood measurement can be very helpful.

Thyroid function monitoring thanks to medical laboratory

A screening for thyroid function is done, among other things, by determining TSH levels. This is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. The thyroid plays an important role in our body’s metabolism and growth. It is therefore essential to detect abnormal values in a timely manner. Thyroid abnormalities can be referred to as a thyroid gland working too slowly (hypothyroidism) or too quickly (hyperthyroidism).

Mineral and vitamin balance

Consider minerals and vitamins as essential building blocks for certain processes in our body that make us feel healthy and fit. It is important that these are kept in balance, deficiencies are detected in time and nutritional supplements can be provided as needed. A deficiency or excess of these substances can give rise to various symptoms of illness, depending on the severity of the deficiency or excess of these substances or, in the case of some vitamins, can even be symptomless in the beginning, sometimes leading to very late detection of deficiencies.

• Decreased Sodium: including nausea and malaise, fatigue, headache, drowsiness, muscle cramps,…
• Decreased Potassium: including muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias
• Elevated Potassium: including muscle weakness, tingling and paralysis
• Decreased Magnesium: including muscle weakness, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias
• Elevated Magnesium: including nausea, headache, drowsiness.
• Decreased Calcium: including muscle cramps, muscle pain, spasms, fatigue, anxiety, cardiovascular abnormalities Increased Calcium: including nausea, muscle weakness, drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, difficulty concentrating, bone pain and kidney stones
• Iron deficiency: including anemia, headaches, fatigue, restless legs

Everyone is in charge of his or her own body. People want more and better control over their own state of health and are therefore more likely to knock on the door themselves for a preventive blood test. And that’s where the shoe pinches. Doctors often put on the brakes, waiting times are long or hospitals struggle with overload.

Therefore Betamedics offers with testmijnbloed.be the possibility to have a preventive blood analysis done without referral. You can visit our private blood testing center. You usually receive the results within 48h or 72h, depending on the scope of the blood test. Always ask when you schedule an appointment. You don’t have to wait and everything is done anonymously. Fast, simple and above all discreet. That’s what we guarantee.

So you can perfectly have an extensive blood test done without a doctor’s referral. Because we cooperate with the medical laboratory of AZ Delta, you get the quality of a professional laboratory, but you can also count on a very personal service.

Do you have questions or want more information about our general blood analysis and check-ups? Want a blood test done without a prescription? Make an appointment quickly and discreetly and get your blood tested. All tests are performed in collaboration with physicians and specialists at AZ Delta.