Blood tests are important to check the state of health and obtain information about a person’s metabolism.
They help to identify risk factors or diseases.
Many diseases can be quickly ruled out with a blood test if the laboratory values are unremarkable.
At NUHR Medicalcenter, we carry out blood tests to gain a better understanding of your health.
Based on the results, you will receive professional recommendations and customized treatment.
What is a blood test?
A blood test is an important part of preventive healthcare and is used to obtain information about the condition of the body.
Various parameters in the blood are measured in order to detect possible diseases at an early stage or to monitor the state of health.
The examination includes the analysis of blood cells, such as red and white blood cells, as well as platelets.
In addition, important values such as the haemoglobin content and haematocrit are determined in order to obtain indications of possible problems.
Blood tests are carried out both as part of routine examinations and for targeted diagnosis of health complaints.
The results provide important information for further treatment and therapy planning.
What can be found in a blood count?
A blood count can reveal various important information about a person’s metabolism.
The blood test provides indications of risk factors or existing diseases.
This test makes it possible to detect or rule out a variety of diseases and therefore offers a quick, cost-effective and efficient way of monitoring health status.
This diagnostic approach is also known as laboratory diagnostic “screening”.
Which 5 blood values are important?
The five most important blood values that can provide information about the health and condition of the body are:
Hemoglobin and red blood cells (erythrocytes)
These values provide information about the oxygen transport capacity of the blood and the number of red blood cells, which are responsible for oxygen transport in the body.
Hematocrit
The hematocrit value indicates the ratio of the cellular components of the blood (such as red blood cells) to the total blood volume and is an important indicator of blood concentration and viscosity.
Leukocytes (white blood cells)
These values provide information about the immune system and the body’s own defense against infections and diseases.
Thrombocytes (blood platelets)
Thrombocytes are responsible for blood clotting and play an important role in wound healing and preventing excessive blood loss.
Inflammation values (e.g. erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein)
These values can indicate inflammation in the body and are important indicators of infections or inflammatory diseases.
What is the difference between a complete and a complete blood count?
The CBC focuses on the basic parameters of the blood, such as the number of blood cells (erythrocytes, reticulocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes), the haematocrit and the haemoglobin content.
It provides an overview of the most important blood components and can reveal anomalies such as anemia or thrombocytopenia.
In contrast, the complete blood count includes a differentiated examination of the white blood cells (leukocytes) in addition to the complete blood count.
These are divided into different types, which is known as a differential blood count.
This differentiation allows doctors to draw more precise conclusions about various illnesses and infections.
For example, an increased number of leukocytes can indicate bacterial infections or inflammation, while a reduced number can indicate autoimmune diseases or viral infections.
In addition to the standard parameters of the CBC, such as the number of red and white blood cells and platelets, the CBC measures specific values such as mean cellular volume (MCV), mean cellular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cellular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC).
These provide information about the size and haemoglobin content of the red blood cells and can contribute to the further diagnosis of various haematological diseases.
What is tested in a normal blood test?
During a normal blood test, various aspects of the blood are examined.
This includes an examination of the red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, which are responsible for transporting oxygen around the body.
The number, size and shape of these cells provide important information about the oxygen supply and possible anemia.
The haemoglobin content is also measured, which represents the red blood pigment and enables oxygen binding in the blood.
Another value is the haematocrit, which indicates the ratio of blood cells to blood plasma.
This value provides information about the volume of the blood and can provide information about various health conditions.
The mean single red blood cell volume (MCV) indicates the average size of a red blood cell, while the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) indicates the haemoglobin content in a single red blood cell.
In addition, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is measured, which indicates the concentration of haemoglobin in the red blood cells.
These values are important for the diagnosis of various blood anemias and other haematological diseases.
In addition to the red blood cells, the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) and blood platelets (thrombocytes) are also determined.
White blood cells play an important role in the immune system and fight infections in the body.
An abnormally high or low number of leukocytes can indicate an infection or inflammation.
Platelets are responsible for blood clotting and a deficiency or excess of these cells can lead to bleeding disorders.
For which diseases is a blood test important?
A large number of different diseases can be detected by a complete blood count.
Anemia
Anemia is characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells and haemoglobin in the blood count.
Symptoms include paleness, general weakness and dizziness.
The most common causes of anemia are iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency.
Infections
Bacterial infections and acute or chronic inflammation are often indicated by an increased number of neutrophil granulocytes, known as neutrophilia.
An increased number of white blood cells overall can also indicate an infection.
Blood formation disorders
Various disorders of blood formation can be diagnosed:
Leukemia
In this malignant disease, immature white blood cells appear in the blood.
Immature neutrophil granulocytes may be found in the blood count, accompanied by anemia (reduced red blood cells) and thrombocytopenia (reduced platelet count).
The number of leukocytes may be greatly increased, which may be an indication of leukemia.
Lymphomas
These cancers affect the lymphatic system and can manifest themselves through various changes in the blood count.
These include abnormalities such as anemia and lymphocytopenia (reduced number of lymphocytes).
It can also be determined whether the lymph nodes are enlarged, which can be an indication of lymphoma.
Agranulocytosis
This disorder of blood formation is characterized by a lack of neutrophil granulocytes, which are important for immune defence.
A greatly reduced number of neutrophil granulocytes can be detected in the differential blood count.
Agranulocytosis can be caused by drug intolerance and increase the risk of serious infections.
Malignant neoplasms (neoplasia)
An increased number of neutrophil granulocytes in the blood count can be an indication of a malignant tumor.
These cells can be produced in increased numbers as a reaction of the body to the presence of cancer cells.
However, this finding alone is not sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis.
Further examination, such as a tissue biopsy, is necessary to identify the exact tumor and make a diagnosis.
Only then can suitable treatment be initiated.
Allergies
A blood test offers the possibility of identifying allergies and investigating them in more detail.
This is because an increased proportion of eosinophil granulocytes in the blood count can indicate an allergic reaction.
This finding is particularly relevant for patients with allergic asthma, as such a reaction is typical for this type of allergy.
Autoimmune diseases
Certain autoimmune diseases can also be detected by changes in the complete blood count.
For example, lupus erythematosus often shows anemia and an increased number of white blood cells.
Pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency)
This form of anemia is due to a lack of vitamin B12 and is characterized by fewer but larger red blood cells and increased over-segmented neutrophil granulocytes.
The B12 levels in the blood can be severely reduced.
Are there any risks associated with a blood test?
There are generally no significant risks associated with a blood test as long as all standard procedures are followed properly.
Disinfecting the puncture site and then closing the wound are basic steps to minimize the risk of infection.
It is important not to touch the puncture site after blood collection and to allow sufficient time for the wound to heal to reduce the risk of bruising.
What do I have to consider after a blood test?
After the blood sample is taken, a plaster is usually applied to the puncture site to protect it from external influences.
The blood samples are then sent to the laboratory where they are analyzed before the results are made available.
Do I have to be sober for the blood sample?
You should be fasting for the blood test.
Here, “fasting” does not mean that you have to go hungry, but that you should not eat from a certain time before the blood sample is taken.
For example, you should not eat anything from 8 p.m. the evening before.
However, it is permitted to drink small amounts of water or unsweetened tea on the morning of the blood test.
What does a blood test cost?
A blood test at NUHR costs from €27 depending on the scope
Is a blood test covered by health insurance?
A blood test is usually covered by health insurance if it is medically necessary and has been ordered by a doctor.
However, if an examination is not reimbursed by the health insurance company, we will inform you of the costs incurred before the blood sample is taken.
Conclusion
Blood tests play an indispensable role in the diagnosis of diseases and provide valuable insights into a person’s state of health.
They allow problems to be identified early and provide the basis for treatment.
At NUHR Medical Center, we are at your disposal to perform a comprehensive blood test and help you monitor and improve your health.
Make an appointment for professional and personalized care from our experienced team.
Treatment & Therapy
In most cases, back pain is caused by wear and tear, as well as non-specific pain, the cause of which cannot be immediately identified by X-ray diagnostics or magnetic resonance imaging, but which requires a thorough clinical or physical examination. Exercise therapy is often the best remedy, as very often the complaints are due to a lack of exercise and incorrect strain.
Avoiding stress and getting away from the everyday environment and its movements can also be beneficial.
Avoiding stress and getting away from the everyday environment and its movements can also be beneficial.
The team of doctors at the NUHR Medical Center works in a multimodal and multiprofessional way and specializes in pain of all kinds, including back pain.
We not only treat the symptoms, but also get to the bottom of the cause.
Medication is only used where it is appropriate and necessary.
However, our focus is clearly on special forms of therapy that are individually tailored to each person.
We call this the NUHR Med Concept.
It is based on the three pillars of individuality, intensity and regularity of therapies.
This can be, for example, Dorn and Breuss spinal therapy or Tilscher back training.
We are also specialists in the field of arsonvalization, which involves working with electrical currents.
Kinesio taping can also stimulate the skin receptors and stabilize muscle tension.
We offer individual programs for expectant mothers.
We not only treat the symptoms, but also get to the bottom of the cause.
Medication is only used where it is appropriate and necessary.
However, our focus is clearly on special forms of therapy that are individually tailored to each person.
We call this the NUHR Med Concept.
It is based on the three pillars of individuality, intensity and regularity of therapies.
This can be, for example, Dorn and Breuss spinal therapy or Tilscher back training.
We are also specialists in the field of arsonvalization, which involves working with electrical currents.
Kinesio taping can also stimulate the skin receptors and stabilize muscle tension.
We offer individual programs for expectant mothers.
