Blood tests with abbreviations are taken to determine a range of medical conditions. Often, they are used to see if certain drugs are present in a patient’s body, or if medications taken for a specific illness are effective, or if there are any imbalances of minerals in the body and if all the organs are functioning well.
At some point in one’s life, everyone needs to have a blood test. Blood tests are usually written in abbreviated form. Knowledge of these types of blood tests with abbreviations will help one understand just what the results of these blood tests mean. You can also get a clear picture of blood tests in general. Here are 21 most common blood tests taken:
1. HDL (High-density Lipoprotein) & LDL (Low-density Lipoprotein):
This test refers to measuring good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. HDL helps reduce LDL levels, thereby helping to prevent conditions like heart disease.
2. ABO Grouping (Blood Typing):
This is the type of classification used to find out blood types. This system is particularly used because antibodies that are used for testing are consistent and present in the serum of specific blood types.
3. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH):
This test measures Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) levels. By knowing these levels, an individual’s health conditions can be identified and monitored and relate to excessive or inadequate cortisol in the body.
4. CPR:
C-reactive protein levels, when elevated, indicate body inflammation. In certain cases, short surges occur. If CPR levels are consistently high, it proves that the patient suffers from underlying health problems.
5. CBC:
Also known as Complete Blood Count, this test comprises 15 readings that give the doctor a picture of the patient’s overall health. This test includes measuring white and red blood cell levels.
The MCHC blood test to check the average concentration of heamoglobin in your blood cells is usually done as part of the Complete Blood Count(CBC) test. MCHC stands for ‘Mean Corpuscular Heamoglobin Concentration’.
6. TSH:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone helps normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland whose duty it is to keep the body metabolism functioning normally. If a patient has low levels of TSH, it could translate to anxiety and weight loss; just as high levels could mean weight gain, depression, and fatigue.
7. Vitamin D:
It is very important to test for Vitamin D levels in the blood, though it’s not always used as a standard blood test. Whereas low levels can make one feel tired and in pain while high levels can be toxic.
8. FBC:
This test gives a complete picture of one’s overall health. These tests don’t pinpoint any illnesses, but they can lead the doctor in the right direction.
9. ESR:
The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate test measures the time taken by red blood cells to reach the bottom of a test tube. If they fall rapidly, it means high inflammation levels have occurred.
10. INR:
International Normalized Ratio test is used to find out whether one’s blood clots normally. It also tests how effective the Warfarin therapy is which retards the rate of blood clotting so that it can be used to prevent thrombosis.
11. LFT:
Liver Function Test, this test measures innumerable proteins, enzymes, and waste products manufactured or processed by the liver. Liver complications like gallstones can be identified through this test.
12. Uric Acid:
When the RNA and DNA break down, uric acid results. It is excreted from the body as part of the urine. If the blood shows up high levels of uric acid, it can form crystals and cause gout or joint inflammation. Through this test, uric acid levels show if there are any abnormalities.
13. CMP:
Also known as Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, this test gives your doctor a complete overall picture of your health. It also checks for levels of bilirubin, calcium, albumin, sodium, potassium, chloride, etc.
14. Alkaline Phosphatase:
This test measures Alkaline Phosphatase levels. These are enzymes found all over the body, especially in the intestine, bones, placenta, and liver.
15. Aluminium (Blood):
This blood test measures the body’s aluminium levels. Aluminium exposure is often due to its presence in the environment or in the diet and could be related to Alzheimer’s disease.
16. Ammonia:
Ammonia in the blood can end up harming the vital organs, such as the brain.
17. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Profile:
This hormone is also called Vasopressin. It causes the blood vessels to constrict and raises the blood pressure, thereby reducing the water level lost to urine.
18. Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) with Reflex:
This blood test finds out the presence of antibodies to nuclear antigens in the blood.
19. Arsenic (Blood):
Arsenic levels in the blood can be tested through this test. If it is not detected in the blood, it can also be found in the skin, kidneys, central nervous system and digestive tract.
20. B Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP):
B Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) levels can be determined by this blood test. It is also used to mark the risk of heart disease in the absence of clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease.
21. Basic Female Hormone Panel:
This group of blood tests comprises Total Estrogens, Progesterone, and Testosterone Woman/Child. When these hormones are imbalanced, cardiovascular disease increases, just as metabolic imbalances and risk of cancer increases.
| Blood Test | Stands for/Purpose |
|---|---|
| HDL & LDL | High Density Lipoprotein & Low Density Lipoprotein |
| ABO Grouping | This is the type of classification used to find out blood types |
| ACTH | This blood test measures Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) levels |
| CPR | C-reactive protein levels, when elevated, indicate body inflammation |
| CBC | Complete Blood Count measures white and red blood cell levels in blood |
| TSH | Thyroid Stimulating Hormone helps normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland |
| Vitamin D | This blood test measures the Vitamin D levels in the body |
| FBC | Full blood count (FBC) is a common blood test to check a person’s general health |
| ESR | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate test helps your doctor determine whether you’re experiencing inflammation |
| INR | International Normalized Ratio test is used to find out whether one’s blood clots normally |
| LFT | Liver function tests are groups of blood tests that give information about the state of a patient’s liver |
| Urate | Urate is a frequently measured blood test in people with gout and those at risk of gout |
| CMP | Complete Metabolic Panel is used to assess the overall health as it gives the current status of liver and kidney function |
| ALP | Alkaline Phosphatase Blood Test measures the amount of the phosphatase enzyme in your blood |
| Aluminium | This test measures the amount of aluminium in blood |
| ADH | Antidiuretic Hormone test measures how much ADH is in your blood which helps the kidneys manage the amount of water in the body |
| ANA | Antinuclear Antibody with Reflex blood test finds out the presence of antibodies to nuclear antigens in blood |
| Arsenic | Arsenic blood test measures the arsenic levels in blood |
| BNP | B Natriuretic Peptide levels can be determined by this blood test |
| FHP | Basic female Hormone Panel is a group of blood tests that measures total Estrogens, Progesterone, and Testosterone |
By knowing all about Type of blood tests with abbreviations, you can avert any possible health ailment by taking swift action immediately.
Medically Reviewed By
Maanasi specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition. A mother of an untiring seven year old, she enjoys nurturing her love affair with English. She is often found nestled with a book, plopped against a dozen pillows, smiling away at the brink of finishing yet another book of the many dozens, that adorn the shelves of her Mini Library!
