All About Blood Tests

 Frequency

 Routine tests and others

 Fasting vs. non-fasting

 Getting results

 Ordering

 Important blood tests

 Procedure

 Takeaway

Overview
Regular blood testing is one of the most important ways to keep track of your
overall physical well-being.

Getting tested at routine intervals can allow you to see the way your body
changes over time and empower you to make informed decisions about your
health.

How often should I get routine

blood work?
Your doctor will typically recommend that you get routine blood work at least
once a year, around the same time as your yearly physical.

But this is the bare minimum. There are several major reasons you may want
to get blood tests more often than that:

 You’re experiencing unusual, persistent symptoms. These could

include anything from fatigue to abnormal weight gain to new pain.
 You want to optimize your health. Knowing levels of various blood
components, such as HDL and LDL cholesterol, can allow you to tweak
your diet or fitness plan to minimize unhealthy habits (that you may not
even realize are unhealthy). This can also maximize the nutrients you
put in your body and more.
 You want to reduce your risk of disease or complications. Regular
blood tests can catch the warning signs of almost any disease early.
Many heart, lung, and kidney conditions can be diagnosed using blood
tests.

Talk to your doctor first if you want to get certain tests more often than once a
year.

What are some routine tests and

others I should ask about?
Some of the most common routine tests are:

 complete blood count (CBC)

 chemistry (basic metabolic) panel
 thyroid panel
  nutrient tests for levels of vital nutrients, such as iron or B vitamins

Some other tests that you may want include:

 enzyme markers if you’re at risk for cancer or other conditions like liver
cirrhosis, stroke, or celiac disease
 sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests if you have multiple sexual partners
or a new partner

Why do some blood tests require

fasting?
Everything you eat and drink contains vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients
that can cause the related levels in your blood to temporarily spike or drop.

Fasting for 8–12 hours helps ensure that blood test results are free from these
variables, making your test results as accurate as possible.

Some common tests that may require fasting include:

 cholesterol tests
 blood sugar tests
 liver function tests
 kidney function tests
 basic metabolic panel
 glucose tests
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How long does it take to get
results?
Results may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to become
available. Here’s an overview of how long some common tests may take:

 complete blood count (CBC): 24 hours

 basic metabolic panel: 24 hours
 complete metabolic panel: 24–72 hours
 lipid panel: 24 hours.

This can depend on the specific lab where you get tested or how many tests
you get done at once. If you order multiple tests, you may not get the
complete results until all of the tests are completed.

Sometimes a lab will only release results to your doctor, who reviews them
and then releases them to you.

Who orders my blood tests?

Your doctor typically orders blood tests for you during a physical, checkup, or
an appointment intended for a specific condition.

Blood testing is usually partially or fully covered by insurance. Ordering tests

through your medical provider ensures that you’re not paying too much. Your
doctor can also advise you on how to choose testing facilities that are reliable,
well-managed, or convenient for you.
It’s possible to order your own blood tests without a doctor or even health
insurance, but it’s not recommended. You may end up paying the full cost by
not going through an insurance plan, which can be expensive.

And some blood testing facilities may not give you accurate results. One
infamous case of this is Theranos, a Palo Alto, California, biotechnology firm
shut down in 2018 when an investigation uncovered lies and fraud around the
accuracy of its private blood testing technology.

10 important blood tests

Let’s take a closer look at tests for adults to have done regularly.

1. Complete blood count

A routine complete blood count (CBC) test checks for levels of 10 different
components of every major cell in your blood: white blood cells, red blood
cells, and platelets. Important components measured by this test include red
blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.

Here’s the typical range of results:

Component Normal range

red blood cells men: 4.32–5.72 million cells/mcL; women: 3.90–5.03 million cells/mcL

white blood
3,500 to 10,500 cells/mcL
cells

platelets 150,000 to 450,000/mcL

hemoglobin men: 13.5–17.5 grams/deciliter (g/dL); women: 12.0–15.5 g/dL

hematocrit men: 38.8–50.0 percent; women: 34.9–44.5 percent

Abnormal levels of these components may indicate:

 nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B-6 or B-12

 iron deficiency
 bone marrow issues
 tissue inflammation
 infection
 heart conditions
 cancer

Based on your results, your doctor will order follow-up tests to confirm
abnormal levels and a possible diagnosis.

2. Basic metabolic panel

A basic metabolic panel (BMP) checks for levels of certain compounds in the
blood, such as:

 electrolytes
 calcium
 glucose
 sodium
 potassium
 carbon dioxide
 chloride
 blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
 creatinine
This test requires you to fast for at least eight hours before your blood is
drawn.

See our chart for normal results.

Abnormal results may indicate kidney disease, diabetes, or hormone

imbalances. Your doctor will perform follow-up tests to diagnose any of these
conditions.

3. Complete metabolic panel

A complete metabolic panel (CMP) includes all the measurements of a BMP

as well as additional proteins and substances related to liver function:

 albumin
 total protein
 alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
 alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
 aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
 bilirubin

The same conclusions can be drawn from a CMP as from a BMP for the same
substances that a BMP covers. Other abnormal levels can also indicate
underlying conditions, such as:

High levels Low levels

• bile duct blockage

• bone metabolism
• cirrhosis
disorders
• gallbladder inflammation
ALP • heart surgery
• gallstones
• malnourish
• hepatitis
• mentzinc deficiency
• Paget’s disease
 • cirrhosis
• hepatitis
ALT considered normal
• liver cancer
• liver damage

• cirrhosis
• heart conditions
AST • hepatitis considered normal
• mononucleosis
• (mono)pancreatitis

• abnormal red blood cell destruction

(hemolysis)
Bilirubi • adverse medication reactions
not a concern
n • bile duct blockage
• Gilbert’s syndrome
• hepatitis

4. Lipid panel

This test checks levels of two types of cholesterolTrusted Source:

 high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol

 low-density lipoprotein (LDL) , or “bad” cholesterol

HDL is “good” because it removes harmful substances from your blood and
helps the liver break them down into waste. LDL is “bad” because it can
cause plaque to develop in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease.

You need to fast for at least 8 hours before this test.

Here are the ranges for each type:

High Low

HDL > 60 mg/dL men: < 40 mg/dL; women: < 50 mg/dL

LDL > 160 mg/dL < 100 mg/dL

Normal levels can also vary by age.

5. Thyroid panel

A thyroid panel, or thyroid function test, checks how well your thyroid is
producing and reacting to certain hormones, such as:

 Triiodothyronine (T3). Along with T4, this regulates your heart rate and
body temperature.
 T3 resin uptake (RU). This measures how well a hormone called
thyroxin-binding globulin is binding.
 Thyroxine (T4). Along with T3, this regulates your metabolism and how
you grow.
 Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This helps regulate the levels of
hormones your thyroid releases.

Your thyroid, a tiny gland in your neck, helps regulate bodily functions like your
mood, energy level, and overall metabolism.

Here are normal results:

 T3:100–200 nanograms per deciliter of blood (ng/dL)

 T3RU:depends on T3 levels (will be low if T3 levels are high, and vice
versa)
 T4: 5.0–12.0 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL)
 TSH:0.4–4.0 milli-international units per liter of blood (mIU/L)

Abnormal levels of these hormones can indicate numerous conditions, such as

low protein levels, thyroid growth disorders, and abnormal levels
of testosterone or estrogen.
6. Enzyme markers

Enzymes are proteins that help your body accomplish certain chemical
processes, such as breaking down food and clotting blood. They’re used
throughout your body for many vital functions. Abnormal enzyme levels can
indicate many different conditions.

Common enzymes tested include:

 Creatine phosphokinase (CPK-1). This is found in your lungs and

brain. High levels can indicate brain injuries or cancer.
 CPK-2 (CK-MB). These enzymes are found in your heart. They often
increase in your blood after a heart attack or other heart injury.
 CPK-3. These enzymes are also found in your heart. They often result
from muscle inflammation, injury, or intense exercise.
 Troponin. This is a heart enzyme that can leak into your blood and
results from heart injury.

Here are the normal ranges for the enzyme listed above:

 CPK-1:about 200 units per liter (U/L)

 CPK-2:5–25 international units per liter (IU/L)
 CPK-3:about 200 U/L
 troponin:< 0.02 ng/mL

7. Sexually transmitted disease tests

Many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be diagnosed using a blood

sample. These tests are often combined with urine samples or swabs of
infected tissue for more accurate diagnoses.
The following STDs can be diagnosed with blood tests:

 chlamydia
 gonorrhea
 herpes
 HIV
 syphilis

Blood tests aren’t always accurate right after contracting an infection. For an
HIV infection, for example, you may need to wait at least a month before a
blood test can detect the virus.

8. Coagulation panel

Coagulation tests measure how well your blood clots and how long it takes for
your blood to clot. Examples include the prothrombin time (PT)
test and fibrinogen activity test.

Clotting is a crucial process that helps your stop bleeding after a cut or wound.
But a clot in a vein or artery can be deadly, blocking blood flow to your brain,
heart, or lungs and causing heart attack or strokes.

Coagulation test results vary based on your health and any underlying
conditions that may affect clotting.

Results from this test can be used to diagnose:

 acute myeloid leukemia

 excessive bleeding (hemophilia)
 thrombosis
  liver conditions
 vitamin K deficiency

9. DHEA-sulfate serum test

The dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) hormone comes from your adrenal

glands. This test measures whether it’s too high or too low.

In men, DHEA helps develop traits like body hair growth, so low levels are
considered abnormal. In women, high levels can cause typically male traits,
like excess body hair, to develop, so low levels are normal.

Low levels in men are called DHEA deficiency, which can be caused by:

 type 2 diabetes
 kidney disease
 anorexia nervosa
 AIDS

High levels in men or women can result from:

 cancer or tumor in adrenal glands

 early onset of puberty from congenital adrenal hyperplasia
 abnormal genital development
 polycystic ovary syndrome (in women)

10. C-reactive protein test

C-reactive protein (CRP) is made by your liver when tissues in your body are
inflamed. High CRP levels indicate inflammation from a variety of causes,
including:

 artery inflammation
 infection
 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
 heart disease
 rheumatoid arthritis
 lupus
 cancer

The higher the level in your results, the higher your risk of heart disease:

 < 1 mg/L: low risk

 1–2.9 mg/L: intermediate risk
 > 3 mg/L: high risk
 > 10 mg/L: extremely high risk, and further testing should be done to
diagnose high levels of inflammation in your body

What’s the typical blood work

procedure?
These procedures are usually done at a laboratory or in a doctor’s office and
take a few minutes.

To perform a blood test, a nurse or technician:

 1. Cleans the area on your arm where they’ll draw the blood from.
2. Ties a rubber band to your upper arm to help make your veins more
visible.
3. Puts a needle attached to a tube gently into a vein to draw blood.
4. Removes the needle from the skin and takes the rubber band off your
arm when the collection is complete.
5. Covers the drawing site with a bandage or clean cotton and medical
tape.

The risks of routine blood tests are very low, but can include:

 slight pain or discomfort when the needle goes in

 fainting from blood loss
 vein puncture

The Takeaway
Blood tests offer an important snapshot of your overall health. They’re also a
good way to catch illness or disease early or see how well your body
responds to treatments for various conditions.

Get routine blood tests done at least once a year. Talk to your doctor to learn
if there are any other tests you may need to ensure your optimal health.

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How Long Does It Take to

Get Blood Test Results?
 Procedure

 Timing for blood test results

 Blood testing and location

 Getting faster results

  Takeaway

Overview
From cholesterol levels to blood counts, there are many blood tests available.
Sometimes, results are available within minutes of performing the test. In
other instances, it can take days or weeks to obtain blood test results.

How soon you can learn your levels really depends on the test itself and a
number of other factors.

How does the procedure work?

A blood draw is also known as a venipuncture. The procedure involves taking
blood from a vein. Medical personnel known as phlebotomists most commonly
perform blood draws. To take your blood, they’ll:

 Wash their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer and apply
gloves.

 Place a tourniquet (usually a stretchy, rubber band) around a location,

usually on your arm.

 Identify a vein and clean the area off with an alcohol wipe.

 Insert a small, hollow needle into the vein. You should see blood coming
through the needle and into a collection tube or syringe.

 Remove the tourniquet and hold gentle pressure on the venipuncture

site. Sometimes, they’ll place a bandage over the site.

The blood draw process can be very quick if you have veins that are easily
visualized and accessed. The process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
However, sometimes it may take more time to identify a vein. Factors such
as dehydration, the experience of the phlebotomist, and the size of your veins
can impact how quickly a blood draw can be done.

Common blood tests and how

long it takes to get results
Some of the more common blood tests a doctor may order include:

 Complete blood count (CBC). This test measures the presence of 10

cell types in the white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Examples of these results include hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood
cell count, and white blood cell count. CBC results are usually available
to your doctor within 24 hours.

 Basic metabolic panel. This test measures common electrolytes in the

blood as well as other compounds. Examples
include calcium, glucose, sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, chloride, blood
urea nitrogen, and creatinine. You may be asked to fast for a certain
period of time before having your blood drawn. These results are also
typically sent to your doctor within 24 hours.

 Complete metabolic panel. This blood test measures all the factors

mentioned in the test above as well as two protein
tests, albumin and total protein, as well as four tests of liver function.
These include ALP, ALT, AST, and bilirubin. A doctor may order this
more comprehensive testing if they wish to understand more about your
liver or kidney function. They’ll usually receive your results within one to
three days.

 Lipid panel. Lipid panels measure the amount of cholesterol in the

body. This includes high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density
 lipoprotein (LDL). Your doctor should receive results from the lab within
24 hours.

Often a laboratory’s personnel will call or transmit results directly to a doctor’s

office for their review. Depending on your doctor’s schedule, you may learn
your results via a phone call or online portal shortly after the doctor’s office
receives them. However, you should be prepared to allow more time.

Some labs will release results directly to you via a secure online portal without
your doctor’s review. In this case, the lab can tell you when to expect results.

Your results may be delayed if the sample is inadequate (not enough blood),
contaminated, or if the blood cells were destroyed for some reason before
reaching the lab.

Pregnancy blood test

Pregnancy blood tests are typically quantitative or qualitative. A qualitative

blood test delivers a “yes” or “no” result to a pregnancy. A quantitiative blood test
can answer how much human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is present in the
body. This hormone is produced during pregnancy.

The time it takes for these tests to result can vary. If a doctor has an in-house
laboratory, you may receive your result in a few hours. If not, it could take two
to three days. Both tests take longer than a pregnancy urine test. That test
typically gives results in minutes, but is less precise.

Thyroid tests

A thyroid panel tests for the presence of thyroid hormone, such as thyroid-

stimulating hormone (TSH), in the blood.
Other measurements include T3 uptake, thyroxine (T4), and free-T4 index, also
known as T7. A doctor would order this test to determine if a person has a
medical condition affecting their thyroid, such
as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

These results should be sent to your doctor within one to two days, so you
can usually expect to learn your levels within a week.

Cancer tests

Doctors may use several different blood test types to detect for the possible
presence of cancers. The blood tests recommended depend on the type of
cancer your doctor is looking for. Some of these tests can be rarer, as is the
case for certain types of immunoglobulins and tumor markers.

These tests can take days to a week or more before results are available.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests

Rapid testing is available for HIV tests, often at community health centers and
clinics. According to Columbia University, these tests most commonly provide
results in 10 to 20 minutes. Doctors also use blood tests to test for the presence
of conditions such as herpes, hepatitis, and syphilis. These results may take up
to one to two weeks.

Be aware that swabs (of either the genital area or inside the mouth) and urine
tests may be the preferred method for some STI testing. Results can also take
longer if cultures need to be grown.

Some STIs don’t show up immediately after they’re transmitted, so your

doctor may order a follow-up test a certain period of time after a negative
result.
Anemia tests

A doctor could order a CBC to test for anemia or order fewer tests by

requesting a hemoglobin and hematocrit (H and H) test. Rapid testing for these
results is available, with levels sometimes reported in 10 minutes or less.
However, other laboratory tests may take hours to result.

Inpatient vs. outpatient blood

testing
Location can play a factor into how fast you’ll get your results back. For
example, going to a place where there’s an on-site laboratory (such as a
hospital) may get you results more quickly than if your blood has to be sent to
another laboratory. Specialty tests for rare conditions often need to be sent to
specific laboratories.

According to Regional Medical Laboratory, most in-hospital results can be

obtained within three to six hours after taking the blood. Sometimes blood
drawn at other, non-hospital facilities can take several days to get results.

Tips for getting results faster

If you’re hoping to receive blood test results as quickly as possible, some tips
to do this can include:

 Ask to have blood drawn at a location where there’s an on-site

laboratory.
 Ask if there are “quick test” options for a particular test, such as an H
and H for anemia.
  Ask if the results can be sent to you via a web portal.
 Ask if you can wait at the medical facility until results are available.

Sometimes, how quickly the blood tests take depends on how common the
blood test is. Blood tests performed more often, such as a CBC or metabolic
panel, are usually available more quickly than tests for rare conditions. Fewer
laboratories may have the testing available for these conditions, which could
slow results.

The takeaway
With innovations in quick testing, many more laboratory tests are available
sooner than ever before. However, it’s often important that your doctor do a
careful review before passing along the results. Asking a doctor or laboratory
technicians about how long average tests will take can help you to establish a
realistic time frame for getting results.

The AACC provides comprehensive information on blood tests in their guide.

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Last medically reviewed on March 9, 2018

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Everything You Need to

Know About Fasting
Before a Blood Test
 How long

 Coffee
  Alcohol

 Water

 Children

 During pregnancy

 Q&A

How do you prepare for a blood

test?
Some blood tests will require you to fast beforehand. In these cases, your
doctor will instruct you not to eat or drink anything, except water, in the hours
leading up to the test.

Fasting before certain blood tests is important to help make sure that your test
results are accurate. The vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
that make up all food and beverages can impact blood-level readings,
clouding the results of your test.

Not all blood tests will require you to fast beforehand. Blood tests that you will
likely need to fast for include:

 blood glucose test

 liver function test
 cholesterol test
 triglyceride level test
 high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level test
 low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level test
 basic metabolic panel
  renal function panel
 lipoprotein panel

If your doctor has prescribed a new blood test for you, or doesn’t mention
whether or not you should fast or for how long, ask them if fasting is required.
Some tests, such as a fecal occult blood test, don’t require fasting but do limit
certain foods. Red meats, broccoli, and even some medications may cause a
false positive test. Always follow your doctor’s advice when preparing for a
test.

How long should you fast before a

blood test?
The amount of time you need to fast for will vary depending on the test. For
most tests, you will be told not to consume anything but water for eight hours
leading up to the test. For a few tests, a 12-hour fast may be needed.

Tip
1. Schedule your test as early in the day as possible. The hours you spend
sleeping are considered part of the fasting period, as long as you don’t
break your fast with coffee or food once you’re awake.

Can you drink coffee if you’re

fasting before a blood test?
Even if you drink it black, coffee can interfere with blood test results. That’s
because it contains caffeine and soluble plant matter, which might skew your
test results.

Coffee is also a diuretic, which means that it will increase how much you pee.
This can have a dehydrating effect. The less hydrated you are, the harder it
can be for the nurse or other medical professional who’s doing your blood test
to find a vein. This can make the blood test harder or more stressful for you.

Can you drink alcohol if you’re

fasting before a blood test?
Some blood tests, such as those that assess liver health or triglyceride levels,
may require you to not drink any alcohol for a full 24 hours. Trace amounts of
alcohol can remain in your bloodstream for several days. If you have any
concerns about alcohol consumption, discuss this with your doctor when you
schedule your test.

Also ask your doctor if you can smoke cigarettes before the test, or if you
should refrain from smoking during your fast.

Is it OK to drink water before a

blood test?
It’s fine to drink water before a blood test, unless you’re instructed otherwise
by your doctor. This is different from some surgical procedures, which may
require you to have a totally empty stomach.
Tap or bottled water are both OK, but leave the squeeze of lemon for another
time. Seltzer and club soda are off-limits. Carbonated beverages, flavored or
otherwise, shouldn’t be consumed during a fast, and neither should any type
of tea.

Tip
1. Water hydrates your body and makes your veins plumper and more
visible. Stay hydrated in the two days before your test. Also try drinking
several glasses of water right before the blood draw to make it easier for
the nurse or other medical professional to find a vein.

What if your child needs to fast

before a blood test?
Just like adults, children may need blood tests that require them to fast
beforehand. If so, your child’s pediatrician will let you know how long your
child should abstain from eating and drinking.

Tips
 Schedule your child’s blood test as early in the day as possible.
 Distract, distract, distract: The hours leading up to the test may be the
time to give in and let them watch a nonstop hour of goofy cartoons on
TV or play with your iPad.
 Pack a snack for them to devour as soon as the test is done.
 If they manage to sneak a snack when you’re not looking, it’s better to
reschedule than to get inaccurate readings.
What about fasting for a blood
test during pregnancy?
There are several blood tests you may need if you’re pregnant. These are
designed to assess any potential health concerns that you or your baby might
experience during pregnancy or after you give birth. Some of these tests will
require you to fast beforehand. Your doctor will advise you how to prepare for
each test.

Fasting is usually safe if you’re pregnant, provided you’re in good health and
aren’t having a high-risk pregnancy. For your overall comfort, your doctor may
advise you to drink extra water or to remain indoors, especially if the weather
is very hot or humid.

Fasting may increase heartburn in some pregnant women. If you experience

uncomfortable or concerning symptoms of any kind while you’re waiting to
have your blood drawn, let your doctor know immediately.

If you’re seeing a doctor other than your obstetrician-gynecologist, make sure

they are made aware of your pregnancy before your blood test.

Q&A: What happens if you don’t

fast before a blood test?
Q:
What happens if you don’t fast before a blood test? Should you still do the
test?

Anonymous patient

A:
If you don’t fast before a test that requires it, the results may not be accurate.
If you forget and eat or drink something, call your provider and ask if the test
can still be done. Some tests can be analyzed with a notation that it isn’t
fasting and results may vary. The main thing is to be honest. If you had a
snack, a cup of coffee, or even a full breakfast, tell the technician when you
have your blood drawn. They should make a note so that the results are
reviewed with the food intake as a variable. And if fasting is an absolute must
for meaningful results, they should stop and reschedule your blood draw.

Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, RN, CRNAAnswers represent the opinions of our medical
experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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STD Testing: Who Should

Be Tested and What’s
Involved
 What STDs should you be tested for?

 Where can you get tested?

 Testing for men and women

 Takeaway

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we
may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Testing for sexually transmitted

infections
If left untreated, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), often called sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs), can cause severe health problems. These
include:

 infertility
 cancer
 blindness
 organ damage

According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC)Trusted Source, about 20 million new STIs occur each year in the
United States.

Unfortunately, many people don’t receive prompt treatment for STIs. Many
STIs have no symptoms or very nonspecific symptoms, which can make them
hard to notice. The stigma around STIs also discourages some people from
getting tested. But testing is the only way to know for sure if you have an STI.

Talk to your doctor to learn if you should be tested for any STIs.

What STIs should you be tested

for?
There are a number of different STIs. To learn which ones you should be tested
for, talk to your doctor. They may encourage you to be tested for one or more
of the following:

 chlamydia
 gonorrhea
  human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
 hepatitis B
 syphilis
 trichomoniasis

Your doctor probably won’t offer to test you for herpes unless you have a
known exposure or ask for the test.

Ask your doctor

Don’t assume that your doctor will automatically test you for all STIs at your
annual physical or sexual health checkup. Many physicians don’t regularly test
patients for STIs. It’s important to ask your doctor for STI testing. Ask which
tests they plan to do and why.

Taking care of your sexual health is nothing to be shy about. If you’re

concerned about a particular infection or symptom, talk to your doctor about it.
The more honest you are, the better treatment you can receive.

It’s important to get screened if you’re pregnant, as STIs can have an effect
on the fetus. Your doctor should screen for STIs, among other things, at
your first prenatal visit.

You should also get tested if you’ve been forced to have intercourse, or any
other type of sexual activity. If you’ve experienced sexual assault or were
forced into any sexual activity, you should seek care from a trained healthcare
provider. Organizations like theRape, Abuse & Incest National Network
(RAINN) offer support for survivors of rape or sexual assault. You can call
RAINN’s 24/7 national sexual assault hotline at 800-656-4673 for anonymous,
confidential help.
Discuss your risk factors

It’s also important to share your sexual risk factors with your doctor. In
particular, you should always tell them if you engage in anal sex. Some anal
STIs can’t be detected using standard STI tests. Your doctor might
recommend an anal Pap smear to screen for precancerous or cancerous
cells, which are linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV).

You should also tell your doctor about:

 the types of protection you use during oral, vaginal, and anal sex
 any medications you’re taking
 any known or suspected exposures you’ve had to STIs
 whether you or your partner have other sexual partners

Where can you be tested for STIs?

You may receive testing for STIs at your regular doctor’s office or a sexual
health clinic. Where you go is a matter of personal preference.

Several STIs are notifiable diseases. That means your doctor is legally
required to report positive results to the government. The government tracks
information about STIs to inform public health initiatives. Notifiable STIs
include:

 chancroid
 chlamydia
 gonorrhea
 hepatitis
  HIV
 syphilis

At-home tests and online tests are also available for some STIs, but they
aren’t always reliable. Check to make sure the Federal Drug Administration
(FDA)Trusted Source has approved any test you buy.

The LetsGetChecked test is an example of an FDA-approved testing kit. You

can purchase this online here.

How are STI tests performed?

Depending on your sexual history, your doctor may order a variety of tests to
check you for STIs, including blood tests, urine tests, swabs, or physical
exams.Blood and urine tests

Most STIs can be tested for using urine or blood samples. Your doctor can
order urine or blood tests to check for:

 chlamydia
 gonorrhea
 hepatitis
 herpes
 HIV
 syphilis

In some cases, urine and blood tests aren’t as accurate as other forms of
testing. It may also take a month or longer after being exposed to certain STIs
for blood tests to be reliable. If HIV is contracted, for example, it can take a
couple of weeks to a few months for tests to detect the infection.
Swabs

Many doctors use vaginal, cervical, or urethral swabs to check for STIs. If
you’re female, they can use a cotton applicator to take vaginal and cervical
swabs during a pelvic exam. If you’re male or female, they can take urethral
swabs by inserting a cotton applicator into your urethra. If you have anal sex,
they may also take a rectal swab to check for infectious organisms in your
rectum.

Pap smears and HPV testing

Strictly speaking, a Pap smear isn’t an STI test. A Pap smear is a test that looks
for early signs of cervical or anal cancer. Women with persistent HPV
infections, particularly infections by HPV-16 and HPV-18, are at an increased
risk of developing cervical cancer. Women and men who engage in anal sex
can also develop anal cancer from HPV infections.

A normal Pap smear result says nothing about whether or not you have an
STI. To check for HPV, your doctor will order a separate HPV test.

An abnormal Pap smear result doesn’t necessarily mean that you have, or will
get, cervical or anal cancer. Many abnormal Pap smears resolve without
treatment. If you have an abnormal Pap smear, your doctor may recommend
HPV testing. If the HPV test is negative, it’s unlikely that you’ll develop
cervical or anal cancer in the near future.

HPV tests alone aren’t very useful for predicting cancer. About 14 million
AmericansTrusted Source contract HPV each year, and most sexually active
people will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. Most of
those people never develop cervical or anal cancer.

Physical examination
Some STIs, such as herpes and genital warts, can be diagnosed through a
combination of physical examination and other tests. Your doctor can conduct
a physical exam to look for sores, bumps, and other signs of STIs. They can
also take samples from any questionable areas to send to a laboratory for
testing.

It’s important to let your doctor know if you’ve noticed any changes on or
around your genitals. If you engage in anal sex, you should also let them
know about any changes on or around your anus and rectum.

Get tested
STIs are common, and testing is widely available. The tests can vary,
depending on which STIs your doctor is checking for. Talk to your doctor
about your sexual history and ask which tests you should get. They can help
you understand the potential benefits and risks of different STI tests. They can
also recommend appropriate treatment options if you test positive for any
STIs.

Last medically reviewed on December 12, 2017

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Medically reviewed by University of Illinois — Written by the Healthline Editorial

Team — Updated on August 10, 2020

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What’s the Difference
Between a CMP and BMP,
the Two Common Blood
Tests Ordered by Doctor?
 Collection

 Uses

 CMP measurements

 Normal ranges

 Cost

 Outlook

Overview
The basic metabolic panel (BMP) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
tests are both blood tests that measure levels of certain substances in your
blood.

A doctor may order either a BMP or CMP during a physical or check-up.

Abnormally elevated levels of one or more substances in your blood may
result from a condition that can be treated.

These tests are used for different reasons. A BMP test gives your doctor
information about:
  blood urea nitrogen (BUN), or how much nitrogen is in your blood to
measure kidney function
 creatinine, another indicator of kidney function
 glucose, or blood sugar (having high or low blood sugar could both
indicate pancreatic issues)
 carbon dioxide (CO2), or bicarbonate, a gas that can indicate issues with
your kidneys or lungs
 calcium, which can indicate bone, kidney, or thyroid issues (though
sometimes not included in a BMP)
 sodium and potassium, minerals that indicates your body’s overall fluid
balance
 chloride, an electrolyte that indicates fluid balance

A CMP test includes all the previous tests as well as tests for:

 albumin, a protein that can indicate liver or kidney issues

 total protein, which accounts for overall blood protein levels
 alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a liver enzyme that can indicate liver or bone
conditions
 alanine amino transferase (ALT or SGPT) , an enzyme in your kidneys and
liver that can indicate liver damage
 aspartate amino transferase (AST or SGOT) , an enzyme in liver and heart
cells that can also indicate liver damage
 bilirubin, created when your liver naturally breaks down red blood cells

Read on to learn more about how blood samples are collected, how to
understand the test results, and how much these tests might cost.
How and where are blood samples
collected?
Many medical facilities are licensed to collect blood. But your doctor will most
likely refer you to a laboratory that specializes in blood tests.

To take a blood sample, your doctor or a laboratory technician uses a needle

to remove a small amount of blood and store it in a tube for analysis. This
process is known as venipuncture. One blood sample can be used to test for
all 14 substance.

Before either of these tests, you’ll need to fast. What you eat and drink can
affect the levels of many substances in your blood, and fasting ensures an
accurate measurement not affected by food.

If you’re sensitive to needles or the sight of blood, have someone take you to
the lab so that you can safely return afterward.

What are these tests used for?

The BMP is primarily used to look for:

 electrolyte imbalance
 abnormal blood sugar
 how well your blood is being filtered

Abnormal levels can indicate kidney or heart conditions.

The CMP also measures levels of substances produced by your liver. It can
indicate:
  how well your liver is functioning
 what the protein levels are in your blood

Additional measurements in a
CMP
The additional substances measured by the CMP test essentially allow a
closer look at your liver function and its relation to your bones and other
organs. This test may be chosen over the BMP if:

 your doctor believes you may have a liver condition

 you’re already being treated for a liver condition and your doctor wants
to monitor the results of treatment

How do I read the results?

Results from a BMP are as follows. High or low levels of each of these
components can indicate underlying conditions.

Test Normal range by age (in years)

• 16–20 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood (18–60)

BUN
• 8–23 mg/dL (over 60)

• 0.9–1.3 mg/dL (men 18–60)

• 0.8–1.3 mg/dL (men over 60)
creatinine
• 0.6–1.1 (women 18–60)
• 0.6–1.2 mg/dL (women over 60)

glucose • 70–99 mg/dL (all ages)

albumin • 3.4–5.4 grams per deciliter (g/dL) (all ages)

CO2 • 23–29 milliequivalent units per liter of blood (mEq/L) (18–60)

 • 23–31 mEq/L (61–90)
• 20–29 mEq/L (over 90)

calcium • 8.6–10.2 mg/dL (all ages)

• 136–145 mEq/L (18–90)

sodium
• 132–146 mEq/L (over 90)

potassiu
• 3.5–5.1 mEq/L (all ages)
m

• 98–107 mEq/L (18–90)

chloride
• 98–111 (over 90)

BUN

High levels may mean that you have kidney problems, which could
include kidney failure or glomerulonephritis, an infection of the part of your
kidneys’ blood filters (the glomeruli).

Low levels can mean you’re not getting enough protein in your diet or you
have a liver condition.

Creatinine

High levels may mean that you have muscle or kidney conditions,
or preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that can happen during pregnancy.

Low levels may mean that your muscles are abnormally weak.

Blood sugar

High levels may mean you have diabetes, pancreatic conditions, or

abnormal thyroid enlargement.
Low levels can mean that your thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal glands aren’t
functioning properly.

Albumin

Having high albumin isn’t common. Low levels can result from not getting
enough protein, having liver or kidney conditions, or having recently had
bariatric surgery to lose weight.

CO2

High levels can mean you’re not breathing properly or that you’re having
issues with your metabolism or hormones.

Low levels can mean that you have a kidney condition, poison in your blood,
or too much acid in your body (acidosis).

Calcium

High levels can mean that you have a type of parathyroid gland cancer.

Low levels may mean that you have:

 pancreatic issues
 liver or kidney failure
 parathyroid dysfunction
 lack of vitamin D in your blood

Sodium
High levels can mean that you have:

 Cushing’s syndrome, which results from too much cortisol in your blood
for an extended period
 diabetes insipidus, a type of diabetes that makes you extremely thirsty
and urinate more than usual

Low levels can mean that you:

 are dehydrated
 have vomited recently
 have kidney, heart, or liver failure
 have syndrome of inappropriate hormone secretion (SIADH)
 have Addison’s disease, which happens when your adrenal gland doesn’t
get enough hormones

Potassium

High levels can mean that you have a kidney condition or issues with heart
function.

Low levels can result from hormonal issues or from taking a diuretic to help
pass fluid waste.

Chloride

High levels can mean that your kidneys aren’t filtering enough acid from your
body.
Low levels can result from Addison’s disease, dehydration, or congestive heart
failure (CHF).

ALP

High levels can indicate:

 Paget’s disease
 bile duct blockage
 gallbladder inflammation
 gallstones
 hepatitis
 cirrhosis

Low levels may result from:

 heart surgery
 zinc deficiency
 malnourishment
 bone metabolism disorders

ALT

High levels can indicate:

 hepatitis
 liver cancer
 cirrhosis
 liver damage
Low ALT levels are normal.

AST

High AST levels can indicate:

 mononucleosis (or mono)
 hepatitis
 cirrhosis
 pancreatitis
 heart conditions

Low AST levels are normal.

Bilirubin

High levels can indicate:

 Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless condition where your body doesn’t

produce enough of an enzyme to lower bilirubin levels
 abnormal red blood cell destruction (hemolysis)
 adverse medication reactions
 hepatitis
 bile duct blockage

How much do these tests cost?

Both the BMP and CMP tests may be free as part of your health insurance
plan’s preventive care coverage, which is often covered at 100 percent. One
test per year may be fully covered, but further tests may only be partially
covered or not covered at all.

Costs without insurance may vary widely.

 BMP: $10–$100
 CMP:$200–$250

Takeaway
The CMP tests additional liver substances, so you may not need a CMP test if
your doctor isn’t concerned about your liver function. The BMP test is likely
enough if you simply want a basic overview of the essential metabolic
components of your blood.

If your doctor suspects a liver condition or finds abnormal values in your BMP
test, you may need the CMP to diagnose an underlying condition that must be
treated.

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Last medically reviewed on May 4, 2018

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FEEDBACK:
Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Tim Jewell — Updated
on May 5, 2018

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Managing Walking
Complications with Spinal
Stenosis
 Spinal stenosis and walking concerns

 Examples

 Can walking help?

 Foot and leg complications

 Lifestyle tips

 Physical therapy
If you’re over age 50 and starting to experience discomfort in your back and
legs, you’re not alone. You may have spinal stenosis, a common back
condition that can affect how you walk.

Your spine is made up of 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae. The cervical,

thoracic, lumbar, and sacral bones have an opening called a foramen. These
openings line up to form the protective spinal canal that surrounds your spinal
cord.

“Stenosis” is the Greek word for narrowing. If you have spinal stenosis, it
means that parts of your spinal canal have narrowed and are putting pressure
on your spinal nerves.

Spinal stenosis can occur anywhere on your spine, but the most common
locations are the neck and the lower back, also known as the lumbar region.

The most common cause of spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis. This type of

arthritis is caused by age-related wear and tear on the cartilage that protects
your bones.

Osteoarthritis can cause spinal stenosis in two ways:

 The wearing down of vertebrae cartilage can pinch nerves.

 The vertebrae can develop bone spurs, which put pressure on nerves.

Other conditions that can cause spinal stenosis include:

 ankylosing spondylitis
 rheumatoid arthritis
 previous surgery
 spinal tumor

The link between spinal stenosis

and walking concerns
Your lumbar region is where your spinal cord ends in a collection of nerves
that look like a horse’s tail, called the cauda equina. These nerves send and
receive messages to and from your pelvic area and legs.

Stenosis of your spinal canal interrupts these messages. As a result, lumbar

spinal stenosis can cause walking problems.

Contact your doctor right away if you have severe pain and difficulty standing
up. You may have developed cauda equina syndrome, which puts stronger
pressure on the nerves at the bottom of your spinal cord. If left untreated, this
syndrome can cause permanent nerve damage.

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include:

 disturbance or loss of bladder or bowel function

 numbness in your inner thighs, back of legs, genital area, or anal region
 severe pain or weakness in your legs that makes it difficult to stand up

Examples of walking concerns

with spinal stenosis
If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you may notice symptoms while walking or
standing. These can include:

 lower back pressure when upright

 pain in your back, buttocks, or legs
 leg numbness, cramping, or tingling
 muscle weakness
 a weak foot that drops (slaps down) when you walk
You may feel relief from these symptoms when you lean forward, sit, or
crouch, or while riding a bike or pushing a shopping cart. This is because a
forward-leaning position reduces pressure on your nerves.

Can walking help spinal stenosis?

Walking is a good exercise for spinal stenosis. It’s low impact, and you control
the pace and distance.

However, if walking triggers your symptoms, choose a different type of

exercise. Discuss alternative movement options with your doctor.

If you’re able to walk without symptoms, incorporate this activity into your
routine. Some ways to walk more include:

 taking out the family dog

 parking a few blocks away from your destination
 running short errands on foot

Foot and leg complications with

spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis in your lumbar region can affect your feet and legs. Examples
of this include:

 Foot drop. Nerve compression in your spine can cause weakness in

your foot, causing it to slap the ground as you walk.
 Sciatica. This causes sharp pain and weakness in your legs, usually
one leg at a time.
  Neurogenic claudication. This is pain and numbness in your back or
legs that you can feel when you stand, walk, or bend your spine
backward.

Lifestyle tips
Exercise

Exercise is important for spine health. As part of your spinal stenosis

management strategy, exercise can:

 strengthen back muscles and connective tissue

 develop your core, which supports your spine
 increase delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues via blood flow
 reduce inflammation because of improved circulation
 maintain or increase your spine flexibility
 improve your range of motion

Try exercises that allow you to stretch and strengthen muscles while not
putting pressure on your spine. Examples include:

 swimming
 water aerobics
 biking
 walking

Pace yourself and stop doing any type of movement that causes pain.
Schedule rest days between workouts.
Sleep

Proper sleep is important for everyone, but even more so when you have a
condition that can cause regular discomfort.

Lack of sleep can make your central nervous system more sensitive to pain,
and research from 2020Trusted Source suggests poor sleep quality is common
among people with lumbar spine stenosis.

Insufficient sleep can also trigger inflammation and suppress the release of
healing growth hormone.

Improve your sleep by:

 investing in a comfortable mattress

 keeping a consistent sleep schedule
 avoiding screens with blue light before bedtime
 practicing a midday caffeine cutoff
 getting regular exercise