Biochemical blood test is a complex laboratory diagnostic, which is carried out to determine the state of the internal organs and to identify the body's need for trace elements. According to the results of blood biochemistry tests, the work of the kidneys, liver, pancreas and other internal organs is evaluated. In addition, they receive information about metabolic processes: protein, lipid, carbohydrate. Such an analysis is recommended to be done annually in order to prevent and control the state of he alth, as well as to detect diseases in the early stages. The study is carried out for various ailments, both in the process of illness and during recovery.
General analysis and biochemistry of blood
In a he althy individual, the blood has a constant composition of cells, so any of its changes that occur in various pathological conditions are important for diagnosis. One of the mostAn informative and frequently used method is a complete blood count. With its help, various diseases caused by inflammatory processes, and diseases of the blood itself, as well as allergic conditions are detected.
For research, capillary blood is taken from a finger. Due to the fact that this type of analysis makes it possible to identify early signs of pathology, it must be carried out with regular preventive examinations, as well as medical examinations. Blood biochemistry is the second main type of research, with the help of which the doctor has the opportunity to correctly diagnose. In this case, venous blood is taken in the morning and always on an empty stomach. This is considered one of the main conditions, since otherwise the results will be unreliable and will not reflect the full picture of the state of the individual's body.
The main complaints of the patient, in which a biochemical blood test is indicated
In case of he alth problems, the presence of symptoms that are incomprehensible to him, a person goes to the clinic to the local doctor, who prescribes a blood test for biochemistry in the presence of the following signs:
- unpleasant and pungent smell of urine;
- prolonged vomiting for no reason;
- low or high blood pressure for a long time;
- constant thirst;
- jaundice symptoms;
- skin itching of unknown etiology;
- pain in the abdomen.
To detect genetic abnormalities or the presence of congenital pathologies, biochemistry is prescribed andnewborns. For children, this type of analysis is indicated for the presence of signs of a lag in mental, speech, physical development, as well as for monitoring therapy and diagnosing pathologies.
Preparing for analysis
Blood is taken from a vein by a he alth worker, the material is taken in a volume of 5–10 ml. A blood test for biochemistry is carried out in the morning in the laboratories of polyclinics, the results are issued after two days. For the reliability of the results of the analysis, the following recommendations must be followed:
- do not eat fried, fatty or smoked food a day before the procedure, do not drink strong tea and coffee, give up alcohol and sweets;
- come to the laboratory in a calm state, do not exercise the day before and do not attend sports training;
- do not smoke for an hour and a half, but rather a day before the procedure;
- do not visit the bath and sauna, body temperature should be normal;
- on the day of blood donation, stop taking medications: vitamin complexes, antibiotics, sedatives, antihistamines and hormonal drugs (if this is not possible, inform the doctor about all medications taken).
In case of unreliable indicators of a blood test for biochemistry, it is desirable to repeat it in the same laboratory.
When is a biochemical blood test prescribed?
When the concentration of some indicators in the general blood test changes, there is a possibility of accurately determining any pathology. For reliableinterpretation of the results and diagnosis of the disease, the doctor prescribes blood biochemistry. In addition, this type of study is indicated for preventive examinations, pregnancy. In each case, the medical worker selects exactly those blood parameters that need to be analyzed in a particular patient. The following are situations in which there is a need for a blood test for biochemistry:
- failure in the structure of the musculoskeletal system;
- sexual disorders;
- heart muscle dysfunction;
- allergic reactions;
- failure of the liver, stomach, intestines, kidneys;
- pathology of the cardiovascular system;
- blood diseases;
- pancreatic dysfunction;
- viral diseases;
- hereditary pathologies and others.
Additionally, other types of examinations are recommended, especially when the results obtained differ from the norm. The interpretation of a blood test for biochemistry in adults, as well as the interpretation of other studies, is best left to the doctor.
Basic indicators of blood biochemistry
Let's look at some of them:
- Creatinine. This substance is involved in energy and metabolic processes in different tissues of the body. Affects kidney function.
- Hemoglobin. This protein compound is responsible for the formation of blood and the movement of oxygen in the body. A decrease in its concentration in the blood indicates the development of anemia.
- Glucose. Fluctuations in this indicator, which gives an idea of the carbohydratemetabolism, signal problems of the endocrine system and liver function.
- Bilirubin. Its increase, revealed by the results of the analysis, indicates hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholelithiasis, anemia. Exceeding the norm in the blood test for biochemistry in adults of direct bilirubin indicates the presence of jaundice. An excess level of indirect bilirubin indicates the development of hemolytic anemia, hemorrhages or malaria.
- Cholesterol is common. Analyzing this indicator, you can imagine a picture of fat metabolism in the body. Changing its concentration helps to identify heart disease and vascular pathology.
- Urea. Its presence in the blood shows the functioning of the urinary system.
- ALT. An increase in the concentration of a liver enzyme is a sign of a pathology of the cardiovascular system, blood, liver.
- AST. An enzyme substance found in the blood in small amounts.
- Fibrinogen. Gives an idea of blood clotting.
- Amylase. Fluctuations in this indicator indicate pathology in the organs of the digestive system and pancreas.
- Protein. Exceeding the upper permissible limit means the presence of inflammatory and infectious processes in the body. If the decoding of a blood test for biochemistry in adults showed a protein concentration below the permissible lowest value, then this indicates a pathology of the liver and kidneys.
- Alkaline phosphatase. According to this indicator, an idea of phosphorus-calcium metabolism is formed.
- Trace elements: sodium is responsible for enzyme and water metabolism, normalwork of the nervous system and muscle tissue; potassium, the increase of which exceeds the permissible concentration signals problems with the kidneys; chlorine in the body maintains water-electrolyte and acid-base balance.
You can get acquainted with the norms of a blood test for biochemistry by looking at the information presented in the table.
In some cases, it is inappropriate to order a full study. The doctor selects specific indicators to be tested.
Biochemical blood test in children: transcript
Normative indicators of research results in this category depend on age. Consider some of them (the norms are given in the table above).
Glucose. Instances of exceeding allowable values may indicate the following problems:
- pathology of endocrine glands;
- liver disease;
- presence of diabetes;
- neoplasms in the brain;
- various injuries;
- burns;
- stress condition;
- excess consumption of sugary foods;
- taking sedative and psychotropic drugs.
If this indicator, when deciphering a blood test for biochemistry (the norm is given in the table), is less than the lower limit, then the reason lies in prolonged refusal of food or starvation, various metabolic disorders, with excessive synthesis of hormonal substances (insulin), as well as some pathologies of the kidneys and digestive tract.
Creatinine. This substance isthe end product, which is formed as a result of creatine-phosphate reactions occurring in the body. The increase in concentration lies in the following reasons:
- liver atrophy;
- inflammatory process in the lungs;
- excessive exercise;
- insufficient myocardial activity;
- jaundice;
- intestinal obstruction;
- neoplasms in the urinary system;
- acromegaly.
Fasting and long-term use of hormonal drugs (corticosteroids) lead to insufficient creatinine levels.
Urea. An increase according to research results is associated with endocrine disorders, kidney pathologies, problems with the cardiovascular system, or burns with a large affected area. If the decoding of a blood test for biochemistry revealed that this indicator is below the established values, then the reason lies in the pathology of the digestive system or liver tissue damage.
Total protein. Increases in its concentration in the blood are associated with the following pathological conditions:
- malignant blood diseases;
- diseases of the joints;
- kidney failure;
- liver disease;
- extensive burns;
- dehydration;
- autoimmune pathologies.
Insufficient concentration of this substance is manifested in large blood loss, intoxication, starvation, thyroid pathology.
What indicators should be examined in a biochemical blood test, determines the attendingdoctor depending on medical indications.
Biochemical blood test during pregnancy
During this period, the doctor will definitely prescribe a blood test for indicators such as:
- alkaline phosphatase;
- bilirubin;
- GGT;
- ALT;
- ACT.
The set of the above parameters is determined by the fact that during pregnancy in women, a large load falls on the liver. Determining the content of other parameters, including creatinine, cholesterol, urea, diastase, glucose, trace elements, is also necessary in order to assess the he alth of the expectant mother. The norm of the results of a blood test for biochemistry for some indicators will depend on the duration of pregnancy and the age of the woman. Let's take a closer look at some of them.
Glucose
It is considered the main marker for determining pathologies such as diabetes mellitus. In he althy women in position, this indicator is below the minimum limit of the norm. This is due to the fact that the fetus, as it grows, requires more glucose, which it takes from the mother's body. In addition, during pregnancy, some women develop gestational diabetes mellitus, which disappears after delivery. These two phenomena are acceptable and do not constitute deviations. However, a decrease in glucose concentration can also be caused by pathologies of the endocrine system. An increase in this indicator above the norm indicates pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney pathologies.
Cholesterol
This stuffparticipates in the synthesis of sex hormones, so it is important to monitor its concentration, especially during the bearing of the baby. If the decoding of a blood test for biochemistry showed an increase in the allowable amount of cholesterol by half, and all other parameters are within the normal range, then this is not a cause for concern. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the hormones necessary for the formation of the placenta are released into the blood. All other increases in cholesterol values indicate the following diseases:
- pancreatitis;
- obese;
- diabetes;
- renal failure and others.
Excess cholesterol provokes the development of intrauterine anomalies of the fetal cardiovascular system. And in a pregnant woman, the strength of blood vessels decreases, blood clots form, there is a high risk of premature birth or miscarriage.
Conclusion
It is best to entrust the interpretation of the results of the blood biochemistry analysis to the doctor, since on your own you can only compare the obtained values with the norm. It will be considered those values that are within the numerical boundaries. And this is not enough for conclusions. You can not consider only one of any parameter that deviated from the allowable value.
By assigning this analysis, they study not only the state of blood cells, but also the processes of metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, pigments, electrolytes and vitamins. So, examining proteins, pay attention to urea, creatinine, albumin, uric acid, total protein. Lipid metabolism is assessed byparameters such as triglycerides, cholesterol and apolipoproteins. Biochemical changes in the characteristics of the blood appear even before the onset of visible symptoms of the disease. Therefore, their timely detection helps to identify the disease at an early stage, identify deviations and take the necessary actions.
