Imagine looking at a test paper full of complicated math problems. If you didn’t study, it takes forever for you to finish the test.
The same complicated way that you may experience when reading your blood test.
You may be wondering what those secret codes or abbreviations mean. Don’t worry, this is the question of most patients or someone who has no medical degree.
Terms such as ALT, AST, and BUN may be confusing to you. But remember, they are not terms used in baking or cooking. They are medical jargon.
This article will guide you to understand what your blood test results show and why it is vital for you to know more.
There is a way to determine what your blood test results say about your health. A smart tip to know your health both inside and out.
Why Blood Tests are Critical for Your Health?
A blood test is one way to understand your real health condition. As most of the early symptoms of a chronic illness begin there.
Your blood can easily be affected by the changes in your body. Knowing the blood test indicators can also tell something about your vital organs.
Here’s what you need to know more:
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Levels: Kidneys’ Status Report
Your BUN levels can be compared to a performance review. However, it determines the status of your kidneys, specifically their ability to filter the body’s waste.
If your blood test indicates high levels of BUN, it means that your kidneys are dehydrated or struggling to filter out the waste.
On the other hand, low bun levels mean that you are malnourished or have liver complications. This signifies that your body fails to process the available protein.
A balanced diet and hydration are key components to achieving a normal BUN level.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Levels: Liver and Muscle Check
AST is a compound that lives both in your muscles and liver. It means that AST levels are focused on checking your muscles and liver.
If you have a high level of AST, it signifies complicated liver or problematic muscles.
In case of problematic muscles, it may be due to a challenging time in recovering from the intense workouts, suffering from injury, or having unresolved stress.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): Another Liver Check
Another compound found in your liver is the ALT or Alanine Aminotransferase. It is one of the most essential markers to determine the condition of your liver.
If your blood test found to have high levels of ALT, that means a damaged or irritated liver. This is caused by inflammation, infections, medications, fatty liver, and alcohol abuse.
High ALT means your liver is in deep trouble.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Liver and Bone Enzyme
Another one to know is the ALP, which is mostly found in your bones and liver.
Having high levels of ALP in your blood means you have a condition or disease relating to bones or the liver.
However, conditions may vary upon your health status. You need to ask the doctor for an explanation about having high ALP in your blood test.
Bilirubin: Body Waste Removal Indicator
Bilirubin is one way to indicate how well your liver can break down and remove the red blood cells in your body.
If it is high, that means your liver must have an issue or complication. High bilirubin is a result of the increased breakdown of red blood cells, bile duct problems, or organ dysfunction (liver).
High bilirubin is what can cause jaundice.
Total Protein Levels
Protein levels are also a determinant in understanding your blood test. Proteins such as the globulins and albumin are carried by your blood, which aids in healing or immunity.
Low total protein means that you have kidney or liver problems, or it can be due to malnutrition.
However, high total protein means that your body is dehydrated or suffering from chronic inflammation.
Should your total protein be lacking, it means that your blood lacks essential minerals, or your body might be working harder.
How to Keep Yourself Healthy?
Blood test results may surprise you. It may turn out to be positive or negative news. There is no in-between.
The news remains as it is. Regardless of how good or bad it will be. But what steps you will take next is critical for your health.
Your end goal after receiving your test results is to keep your health better.
Here are some of the essential ways to keep yourself healthy:
Keep your body hydrated.
Water is needed urgently for your body. It acts as the catalyst to keep the dynamics from within stable, functioning, and less vulnerable to certain diseases.
Being hydrated effectively removes the waste and toxins, balances your protein, and strengthens the function of your kidneys.
A Strong Liver Support
Your liver is the largest internal organ. Treat your liver well, as it helps in breaking down fats, filters your blood, and metabolizes nutrients.
Support your liver health by eating foods that are rich in antioxidants, less sugar intake, and less alcohol consumption.
Give Your Body Its Deserved Nourishment
A healthy and balanced diet makes your blood healthy and circulates. You don’t need to make a complicated or strict meal plan. Just a simple diet will do.
Consume foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Eat sufficiently and not excessively.
Listen to Your Body
Never underestimate the simple muscle pain or the fatigue that you may experience. Sometimes it is one way your body tells you to recover or get enough rest.
Move, rest, and repeat. Do it without aggressiveness.
Conduct a Yearly Blood Test
An annual blood test helps determine what changes in your blood have occurred for any specific and numerous reasons.
Your lifestyle shifts, your age increases, and your stress levels are getting higher. An annual blood test can help you stay out of health risks.
Blood Test Result to Determine Your Health Status
Your blood test may be confusing due to lots of medical terms. So, knowing how to understand the results tells you how your inner body is doing.
As you read the test results, you want to manage your health before it’s too late.
It feels different knowing how to read your blood test result. A power where you can make effective lifestyle changes to positively bring yourself healthier.
Although health professionals can explain your results. But knowing how to read the results personally is one way to monitor your health status.
Choose to be healthy by using healthier methods. Your blood test results will be better at your next check-up session.