what are doctors checking for with routine blood tests?

Answer 1

With a routine blood test doctor checking:

1.CBC (Complete blood count)
This is a routine test to determine the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. Hematocrit and hemoglobin
2.Coagulation tests
PT (Prothrombin time)
PTT (Partial thromboplastin time)
INR (International normalized ratio)
These tests measure how quickly your blood clots.
3.Blood chemistry tests
These tests measure the levels of normal chemical substances in your blood.
4.Blood lipid tests
Cholesterol, total lipids, HDL, and LDL
Elevated cholesterol (particularly "bad" cholesterol, or LDL) is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
That's in brief

Answer 2

A blood test can give a picture of your overall health... it checks your cholesterol, your mineral level, glucose, stuff like that. For example, I have to have my blood checked every so often to make sure my potassium level is alright, since I take a blood pressure medicine, a diuretic, that tends to take away my potassium. (Potassium is important because without enough, your heart can stop).

To have your cholesterol, etc. checked accurately, you should do what is called a fasting blood test, where you don't eat or drink anything, not even water, for 8 hours.

http://www.amarillomed.com/howto.htm#Glucose:

Answer 3

Abnormalities. They compare the results against the normal results for your age and sex, and make conclusions regarding your general health from the result.

Answer 4

component values out of range which can signal underlying pathologies.

Answer 5

cholesterol, enzymes, stuff secreted by glands, concentrations of sugar etc.

Answer 6

diabetes

Answer 7

...your credit history.