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	PERSONAL BLOOD TESTING, BLOOD TESTS FOR TYPES OF BLOOD DISEASE AND BLOOD DISORDER TEST AND COST ESTIMATES OF ANNUAL PERSONAL BLOOD TESTING AND BLOOD TYPING.	TO HOME PAGE
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When it comes to Blood testing we all would like to find out how we stand on important health issues such as diabetes, cholesterol, cancer, thyroid problems, arthritic factors, or other health related conditions which could adversely affect our lives or kill us. All of these can be defined by a personal Blood test. Many cases of serious disease exist and remain undiagnosed that seriously affect our quality of life. Many of these conditions can be corrected or improved through a simple course of treatment once they have been discovered by a quick and inexpensive Blood test. There are Blood tests for diabetes, Blood tests for cholesterol, Blood testing for cancer, Blood test for thyroid problems, Blood tests for arthritis and arthritic factors, or Blood testing for other health related conditions.

Others may be concerned about the possibility that they may have been exposed to a condition that may be considered sensitive or private. They would like to privately and/or anonymously test for such conditions as AIDS/HIV, drug use indications, sexually transmitted diseases, or hepatitis (types A, B, and C), among others. Free Blood testing and Blood test discount coupons.

In this day and age, people can be adversely affected by a disease whose effects could have been prevented if their Blood were tested from time to time. When a Blood test reveals an abnormality, corrective action can often be taken early enough to prevent the development of a serious disease. There are several major categories of Blood testing, and there are differing reasons for having our Blood tested.

Unfortunately, there are reasons why we do not get our Blood tested. Often cited is the high cost of Blood testing, which keeps many of us from discovering risk factors that could predispose us to developing a serious, and in many cases preventable, disease. The second, and most often the overriding reason, is that we simply do not know how or where to get tested.

Personal Blood testing is good, and does not have to be expensive, nor must it be a great hassle when we are properly informed. Blood test privacy is important.

After testing, when you get your Blood test results back, you will definitely have questions. The first question that comes to mind is; "What does all of mean?" And next; "What does this mean to me?" Interpretation of your Blood test results should be carefully reviewed with your physician, or a licensed nutritionist knowledgeable about the specific Blood tests and familiar with your condition, medication and needs. Low cost Blood testing and Blood test discount coupons.

If your tests reveal significant abnormalities, then you must see your physician. You may be headed for trouble. In some cases there may simply be a mistake in the testing and sampling procedures, the testing process itself, of even in the transcription of the results. Only your health care specialist can say for certain. Schedule Blood testing and get FREE Blood test discount coupons.

One more thing, the very important subject of selecting a Laboratory. The laboratory must be on a list of accredited laboratories, or in the United States Department of Health and Human Services Directory Testing Laboratories.

Now, let's take a look at Blood tests. Men and women are different, and, therefore, require different Blood tests! Your physician will explain the differences and their implications. Often you must ask your busy physician specific questions. Before you can ask the question, however, you must know what question to ask.

Following here are suggestions recommending minimums for personal Blood testing. The first, an ABO Blood Type Test is the bare minimum, and will tell you of your Blood type, and basic Rh factors. In an emergency, knowing your Blood type can make the difference between life and death.

DNA Genealogy and Anthropology Testing - DNA research on full-blooded indigenous populations from around the world has led to the discovery and documentation of genetic markers that are unique to populations, ethnicity and/or deep ancestral migration patterns. The markers having very specific modes of inheritance, and which are relatively unique to specific populations, are used to assess probabilities of ancestral relatedness. Available services include: Ancestral Heritage DNA testing, Native American DNA Verification, Y-Chromosome DNA Testing and mtDNA Sequence Analysis.

Visit our other Blood test related pages for more information on Blood Testing.

Preparing for Blood Testing
Interpreting Your Blood Tests
Blood Test Reference/Range Chart
Blood Testing and Sampling Kits
Tests Performed on Donated Blood

The Basic Test that Everyone Should Have

Free Blood test information from the Bloodmobile; CLICK HERE.

Following here is an outline of a 'CBC Profile.' These tests analyze over 30 important Blood parameters. The test results will reveal many facts about your health, and when properly reviewed and interpreted, can be used as a guide for your way of life. The chart outlines recommend test components that we include in our:

Recommended Annual Blood Test Series.

What will these tests show?

A view of your bones: Tests for alkaline phosphatase, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous are tests that reveal the health of your bones as well as revealing bone diseases. Components of these tests can be particularly important to women. Electrolytes: Electrolytes are a large category of substances dissolved in plasma. The balance of water and salt is critical to good health. These tests are important indicators of the amount of water and salt in your body, and include: sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, bicarbonate (carbon dioxide) and magnesium. These chemicals are absolutely essential in many bodily functions including fluid balance, nerve conduction, muscle contraction (including the heart), Blood clotting and pH balance. Glucose: A test useful in the detection of diabetes and hypoglycemia. This test is closely watched, in particular, by men over 40. Kidney Function: Kidney function tests include albumin, creatinine, total protein and Blood urea nitrogen. These tests indicate normal or abnormal function of the kidney, which filters your Blood, returning the useful elements to your system, while discarding waste into the urine. Lipid Tests: Lipid (fat) tests include cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL or "good cholesterol"), low density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad cholesterol") and triglycerides. These tests provide information about the fat in your Blood which is important in assessing your risk for heart disease. This is another test closely watched in men over 40. Liver Function: Liver function tests include aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, albumin, direct and total bilirubin, gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), globulin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LD). These tests indicate normal or abnormal condition of the liver, an important (we only have one) organ with many functions including the removal of toxic substances from your Blood. Red Blood Cell Count, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC: These tests are different ways of looking at the amount and quality of the red cells. This component of your Blood carries oxygen to every cell. Abnormalities in these indicators may mean anemia, iron deficiency, or kidney problems, or problems with your bone marrow, liver, spleen, lung, or gastrointestinal tract. Women normally have lower ranges of red Blood cell count than men. Thyroid Tests: The thyroid gland helps to maintain a normal metabolic rate. T4 reflects the total amount of thyroid hormone in your body. The Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is how the pituitary gland controls the thyroid gland. Platelet testing is a Blood test that is often used by doctors. First lets define platelets. Platelets are very small cells in the Blood. These clump together at places where injury to Blood vessels occur. They are the basis of the Blood clot that normally forms when the skin is broken. A Blood test revealing a low platelet count can make us vulnerable to bleeding, sometimes even without an injury that we see. Some of the causes of a low Blood platelet count include autoimmune diseases, where the effected individual produces an antibody to his or her own platelets, chemotherapy, leukemia, viral infections and some medicines. High numbers of platelets make an individual more vulnerable to Blood clotting. High Blood platelet counts are always found where a condition involving bone marrow such as leukemia, cancer and other Blood borne conditions that are revealed by Blood test results. White Blood Cell Count: White Blood cells in the body help fight infection. Variations from normal may represent acute or chronic infection, or even diseases of the Blood. This test is often used to monitor the progress of a patient's treatment when a disease or infection is present. White Blood Cell: Following here is an explanation of some test results: Low numbers of WBCs (leukopenia) may indicate: Bone marrow failure (due to granuloma, tumor, fibrosis), Presence of cytotoxic substance, Collagen-vascular diseases, such as lupus erythematosus; Disease of the liver or spleen; or, The use of radiation treatment recently. High numbers of WBCs (leukocytosis) may indicate: Infectious diseases, Inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergy, Leukemia, Severe emotional or physical stress; or, Tissue damage such as, for example, burns. White Blood Cell Differential: White Blood cells (leukocytes) come in several shapes and sizes and can be microscopically identified and 'counted' by a laboratory instrument. There are five different types of white Blood cells; Neutrophilis, a high count points to possible infection, some cancers, arthritis and sometimes stress; Lymphocytes, a low count may point to AIDS; Monocytes, a high count may reveal an infection often caused by bacteria; Eosinophilis, a high count often indicates allergies, skin disease, or parasitic infections, and Basophilis, when a decrease in number is noted, an active allergic reaction may be present.

OTHER IMPORTANT BLOOD TESTS

PREMARITAL BLOOD TESTING: In the United States, Premarital Blood Testing is no longer required in every state. The test was formerly required to ensure that you and your betrothed were free of venereal disease, chiefly syphilis. Nearly one third of the states have now repealed the requirement on the grounds that the handful of cases of VD detected does not justify the high cost.

In the 'old days,' we, more often than now married someone from our community, known to us and to our family. This is, now, seldom the case. We see Premarital Blood Testing as a good idea, and here we recommend, for good reason, some more testing. In the world as it now exists, we NEVER know the actual 'health' of Blood and its contents without testing. Remember that Blood transfusion that you had after the skiing accident as a child; or the forgotten casual contact that your partner may have had that one night, about which he doesn't remember too much? All of our Blood problems, all of our spouses' Blood problems, and all of both sets of parents' Blood problems may well be passed along to our children. Many of these unseen disasters could be prevented or exposed by a simple Blood test, and in some cases, while you are getting to know your new mate, other types of tests. This is a really great time and can be used as a good excuse to have a really complete Blood test.

Very important are tests for various strains of Hepatitis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Herpes Simplex (HSV), and yes that old Syphilis.

There are, however, other important reasons for Premarital Blood Testing. The Rh factor was first isolated from rabbits inoculated with rhesus (hence Rh) monkey Blood. It turns out that 85% of the population tests positively for the Rh antigen in their red Blood cells (i.e., they are Rh-positive.) The other 15% are Rh-negative. If you are an Rh-negative female and your husband is Rh-positive, as revealed by a Blood test, you run the risk of having an Rh-positive child. If so, you would produce antibodies against your own child's Blood. The first child might well be anemic, and a second or third might well die in-utero or soon after birth (erythroblastosis fetalis). If you are planning to have children, it is very important to know if you are Rh-positive or negative so that proper, proven and practical precautions may be taken.

There are some good reasons for a husband to not donate Blood to his wife during her childbearing years. During this time, a women who plans to become pregnant, receiving Blood from her husband may pose a small risk to the infants born of these pregnancies. If, after the Blood transfusion the woman develops an antibody to an antigen on the father's red Blood cells, and the subsequently born fetus inherits the father's red cell antigen, the antibody from the mother may enter the Bloodstream of the fetus causing destruction of fetal red Blood cells. This may cause serious anemia in the fetus and excessive jaundice in the infant after birth. This is a known major cause of brain damage. Special Blood transfusions, using selected red Blood cells that do not have the particular in-compatible and offending antigen, are available when this condition is pre-diagnosed. Of course, we suggest autologous Blood donation for the mother. However, for those mothers who are unable to make an autologous donation, the decision to select her husband as a donor should always take this risk under consideration, and specific consultation with your pediatrician on this subject is essential.

Other Recommended Premarital Testing: While we are on the subject, and while the love and the money are flowing, we suggest some other beneficial tests:

Pap Smear - always an excellent idea, is used primarily to detect cancer of the uterine cervix or precancerous conditions, that is abnormalities of the cervix that may lead to cancer. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - often detected on a Pap smear, with no previous signs or symptoms, because there are often no symptoms. Urinalysis - checks for early signs of diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease, also checks for urinary tract infections or Blood in the urine.

PARENTAGE BLOOD TESTING: Basic Blood testing of the ABO, Rh and MN groupings does not constitute parentage Blood testing. Parentage Blood testing discloses the presence of specific antigens indicating particular genetic composition or "markers." The statistical analysis of the Blood test results provides a likelihood of paternity if the putative parent is not excluded. Any parentage Blood testing of a child, mother and father should involve a hierarchy of systems to establish the relative chance of paternity based on the probability of exclusion. That means that if a putative parent is not excluded by the basic red cell antigen test, further testing of the sample will be conducted until the putative parent is excluded or a likelihood of parentage can be calculated with an inclusion rate considered valid under the AMA/ABA Guidelines. Parentage Blood tests include the basic red cell antigens, extended red cell antigens, red cell enzymes and serum proteins, and white cell enzymes. If the test results are inconclusive, the complete series of testing may be necessary, including testing of white cell antigens (Human Leukocyte Antigens or HLA). Electrophoresis testing of the red cell enzymes and serum proteins and HLA testing are highly sophisticated procedures that generally can be conducted only at a laboratory involved in organ transplant donor identification.

What Samples are Collected: Blood samples are most often used for these tests. A small amount is sufficient. Testing can also be done using cells from the inside of the mouth which are collected with a cotton swab (buccal swab). Tissue samples collected from deceased individuals may also be used for testing. In order to assure the integrity of the results, all stages of DNA and parentage Blood testing must be conducted under appropriate safeguards. These safeguards must include strict controls concerning protection of the chain of custody of Blood or tissue samples, identification of the parties to be tested (generally including photographing and even fingerprinting of the individuals tested), and correct preparation of the test results.