What diseases can be detected through blood tests?
Generally speaking, blood tests refer to routine blood examinations. Routine blood tests can be used for the preliminary diagnosis of diseases such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and leukemia. If experiencing any discomfort, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia may be related to excessive intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, lack of physical activity, obesity, and other factors. If blood lipid levels are not controlled promptly, cardiovascular health may be affected, leading to symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue. Based on the four or five lipid profile tests included in the routine blood examination, elevated triglycerides and cholesterol levels may be observed in patients.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease caused by abnormal insulin secretion due to genetic and environmental factors. Patients may experience symptoms such as polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyuria (frequent urination), and polyphagia (excessive hunger). A routine blood test can measure a patient's blood glucose levels, including fasting glucose and postprandial glucose two hours after a meal. Fasting blood glucose ≥7.1 mmol/L or postprandial blood glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L may indicate diabetes.
3. Anemia
Anemia is commonly associated with deficiencies in iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and other factors. As the condition worsens, patients may develop symptoms such as pallor and fatigue. Routine blood tests can reveal changes in blood cells, including decreased red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration, as well as reduced mean red blood cell volume and mean hemoglobin content.
4. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease potentially linked to genetic and environmental factors. Patients primarily experience symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and rashes. Blood tests may reveal positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, along with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
5. Leukemia
Leukemia is a malignant clonal disease of hematopoietic stem cells, associated with hereditary factors, gene mutations, and others. When clonal leukemia cells abnormally proliferate and impair hematopoietic function, symptoms such as fever and bleeding may occur. Routine blood tests may show increased or decreased white blood cell counts, along with reduced red blood cell and platelet counts.
It should be noted that the above indicators are only reference values and cannot serve as a definitive diagnostic basis. Therefore, if abnormalities are detected through routine blood tests, further examinations should be promptly conducted under a doctor's guidance to enable timely treatment based on the underlying cause.