A biochemical blood test is a comprehensive laboratory diagnosis that is carried out to determine the condition of the internal organs and to identify the body's need for trace elements. According to the results of blood biochemistry analyzes, 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 health, as well as to identify diseases in the early stages. The study is carried out with various ailments both in the process of the disease, and during recovery.
General analysis and blood biochemistry
In a healthy individual, blood has a constant composition of cells, so any changes that occur in various pathological conditions are important for diagnosis. One of the most informative and frequently used methods is a general blood test. With its help, various diseases caused by inflammatory processes, and diseases of the blood itself, as well as allergic conditions, are revealed.
For research, they take capillary blood 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 organism.
The main complaints of the patient, in which a biochemical blood test is indicated
In case of health problems, the presence of symptoms incomprehensible to him, a person goes to the clinic to the district doctor who prescribes a blood test for biochemistry in the presence of the following symptoms:
- unpleasant and pungent smell of urine;
- prolonged vomiting for no reason;
- for a long time low or high pressure;
- constant thirst;
- symptoms of jaundice;
- pruritus of incomprehensible etiology;
- pain in the abdomen.
To identify genetic abnormalities or the presence of congenital pathologies, biochemistry is also prescribed for newborns. For children, this type of analysis is indicated for signs of mental retardation, speech, physical development, as well as for monitoring therapy and diagnosing pathologies.
Analysis preparation
Blood sampling is made from a vein by a health worker, 5-10 ml of material is taken. A blood test for biochemistry is carried out in the morning in the laboratories of clinics, the results are given in two days. For the reliability of these results of the analysis, it is necessary to follow these recommendations:
- do not consume fried, fatty or smoked foods the day before the procedure, do not drink strong tea and coffee, refuse alcohol and sweets;
- come to the laboratory in a calm state, on the eve of not doing physical activity and not attending sports training;
- do not smoke for one and a half hours, but preferably a day before the procedure;
- Do not visit the bathhouse and sauna; body temperature should be normal;
- on the day of blood donation, stop taking drugs: vitamin complexes, antibiotics, sedatives, antihistamines and hormones (if this is not possible, tell the doctor about all the medications taken).
With unreliable indicators of a blood test for biochemistry, it is desirable to repeat it in the same laboratory.
In what cases is a biochemical blood test prescribed?
With a change in the concentration of some indicators in the general blood test, there is the likelihood of accurately determining any pathology. For a reliable interpretation 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;
- malfunction of the liver, stomach, intestines, kidneys;
- pathology of the cardiovascular system;
- blood diseases;
- violation of the functions of the pancreas;
- viral diseases;
- hereditary pathologies and others.
In addition, 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 entrusted to a doctor.
The main indicators of blood biochemistry
Let's consider some of them:
- Creatinine. This substance is involved in energy and metabolic processes in various 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. Vibrations of this indicator, which gives an idea of carbohydrate metabolism, signal problems of the endocrine system and liver function.
- Bilirubin. An increase in it, identified by the analysis, indicates hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstone disease, anemia. Exceeding the norm in a blood test for biochemistry in adults of direct bilirubin indicates the presence of jaundice. Excessive levels of indirect bilirubin indicate the development of hemolytic anemia, hemorrhages, or malaria.
- Total cholesterol. By analyzing this indicator, you can imagine a picture of fat metabolism in the body. A change in its concentration helps to identify heart disease and vascular pathology.
- Urea. Its presence in the blood indicates the functioning of the urinary system.
- ALT. An increase in the concentration of the liver enzyme is a sign of a pathology of the cardiovascular system, blood, and liver.
- AST. An enzymatic substance that is present in the blood in a small amount.
- Fibrinogen. Provides an idea of blood coagulability.
- 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 in the body of inflammatory and infectious processes. If the decoding of a blood test for biochemistry in adults showed a protein concentration below the permissible minimum 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, normal functioning of the nervous system and muscle tissue; potassium, an increase in which is an overly permissible concentration, indicates kidney problems; chlorine in the body maintains a 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 not advisable to prescribe a full study. The doctor selects specific indicators that need to be checked.
Biochemical blood test in children: a transcript
The normative indicators of research results in this category depend on age. Consider some of them (the norms are given in the table above).
Glucose. Excessive values may indicate the following problems:
- pathology of the endocrine glands;
- liver disease
- the presence of diabetes;
- neoplasms in the brain;
- various injuries;
- burns;
- stressful condition;
- excessive consumption of sweet foods;
- taking medications of a calming and psychotropic effect.
If this indicator, when deciphering the blood test for biochemistry (the norm is shown in the table), is less than the lower boundary, then the reason lies in a long 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 is the final product that is formed as a result of creatine phosphate reactions that occur in the body. The increase in concentration lies in the following reasons:
- atrophy of the liver;
- inflammatory process in the lungs;
- excessive physical activity;
- insufficient myocardial activity;
- jaundice;
- bowel obstruction;
- neoplasms in the urinary system;
- acromegaly.
An insufficient concentration of creatinine is caused by starvation and prolonged use of hormonal drugs (corticosteroids).
Urea. The 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 lower than the established values, then the reason lies in the pathology of the digestive system or damage to the liver tissue.
Total protein. Increases in its concentration in the blood are associated with the following pathological conditions:
- malignant blood diseases;
- joint diseases
- failure of the kidneys;
- liver disease
- extensive burns;
- dehydration;
- autoimmune pathologies.
An insufficient concentration of this substance manifests itself with large blood loss, intoxication, starvation, and thyroid pathology.
What indicators should be investigated during a biochemical blood test, the attending doctor determines, depending on medical indications.
Biochemical blood test during pregnancy
During this period, the doctor must prescribe a blood test for such indicators as:
- alkaline phosphatase;
- bilirubin;
- GGT;
- ALT;
- AST.
The set of the above parameters is determined by the fact that during pregnancy in women, a large load falls on the liver. Determination of the content of other parameters, including creatinine, cholesterol, urea, diastase, glucose, trace elements, is also necessary in order to assess the health status of the future mother. The norm of the results of a blood test for biochemistry for some indicators will depend on the gestational age and age of the woman. Let us consider in more detail some of them.
Glucose
It is considered the main marker for determining such a pathology as diabetes. In healthy women in position, this figure is below the minimum normal range. This is due to the fact that the fetus, as it grows, requires a greater amount of glucose, which it takes from the mother's body. In addition, during pregnancy, some individuals reveal gestational diabetes, which occurs after delivery. These two phenomena are permissible and are not deviations. However, a decrease in glucose concentration can also be caused by pathologies of the endocrine system. An increase in this indicator in excess of the norm indicates pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, hepatic and renal pathologies.
Cholesterol
This substance is involved in the synthesis of sex hormones, so it is important to monitor its concentration, especially during the gestation of the baby. If the decoding of a blood test for biochemistry has shown a double increase in the allowable amount of cholesterol, and all other parameters are within normal limits, then this is not a cause for concern. This phenomenon is due to the fact that hormones necessary for the formation of the placenta are released into the blood. All other increases in cholesterol indicate the following diseases:
- pancreatitis;
- obesity;
- diabetes mellitus;
- renal failure and others.
Excess cholesterol provokes the development of intrauterine abnormalities of the fetal cardiovascular system. And in a pregnant woman, blood vessel strength decreases, blood clots form, and there is a high risk of premature birth or miscarriage.
Conclusion
The decoding of the results of the analysis of blood biochemistry is best entrusted to the doctor, since you can only compare the obtained values with the norm yourself. It will be considered those values that have entered the limits of numerical boundaries. But this is not enough for conclusions. You cannot consider only one parameter that deviates from the permissible value.
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 evaluated by such parameters as triglycerides, cholesterol and apolipoproteins. Biochemical changes in blood characteristics appear even before the onset of visible symptoms of the disease. Therefore, their timely identification helps to identify the disease at an early stage, establish deviations and take the necessary actions.