How can blood tests help diagnose anemia, diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Blood tests are essential diagnostic tools that measure specific chemical and cellular constituents to identify various diseases.

Anemia

Anemia is typically diagnosed using a complete blood count (CBC), which quantifies red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. A decrease in these values often indicates anemia. Additionally, microscopic examination of a blood film can reveal pale red cells, a hallmark of iron-deficiency anemia, while measuring folic acid and vitamin B12 levels helps identify specific nutritional deficiencies.12

Diabetes

Diagnosis relies on measuring blood glucose concentrations. Elevated fasting levels (typically ≥126 mg/dL) or high levels after a glucose tolerance test indicate diabetes. Furthermore, measuring hemoglobin A1c helps assess long-term blood sugar control.134

Kidney and Liver Disease

  • Kidney Disease: When kidneys fail to excrete waste, nitrogenous products like urea accumulate in the blood, serving as a key indicator of renal impairment.13
  • Liver Disease: Blood tests measure substances like bilirubin, proteins, and specific enzymes (such as alkaline phosphatase and transaminases). Elevated levels of these markers often reflect liver damage or dysfunction.513