Verikokeista

Verikokeista refers to medical tests in which a sample of blood is analyzed in a laboratory to assess health, diagnose diseases, monitor conditions or treatment, and screen for risk factors. They provide information about organ function, infection status, immune activity, and metabolic balance, and are a central component of routine health care as well as urgent diagnostics.

Common categories and examples include:

- Complete blood count (CBC), which measures red and white blood cell counts and platelets and helps detect anemia, infection, and clotting disorders.

- Metabolic panels (basic or comprehensive) assessing electrolytes, kidney and liver function, and glucose metabolism.

- Lipid profile for cholesterol and triglycerides, and HbA1c for long-term glucose control.

- Liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and kidney markers (creatinine, urea) for organ health.

- Coagulation tests such as PT/INR and aPTT to evaluate blood clotting.

- Specialized tests including infectious disease serology, autoimmune markers, hormones, and drug levels.

Procedure and preparation: Blood is usually drawn from a vein (venipuncture) by a trained professional, though finger-prick samples are used for some tests. The collected blood may be placed in tubes with specific additives to obtain serum or plasma. Some tests require fasting or avoiding certain medications or foods for a period before sampling, while others do not.

Interpretation and limitations: Laboratories provide reference ranges; clinicians interpret results in the context of symptoms, history, and other tests. Anomalies may indicate disease, but can also result from measurement variability, timing, or pre-analytical factors. Abnormal results often lead to repeat testing or further examination. Minor risks from the procedure include short-term discomfort or bruising.