Question 1

how important is it to have regular blood tests?

Accepted Answer

Depends on tests: Depends on the test &amp; reason for it. Screening periodically for cholesterol is helpful to find those at high risk for heart disease so we know what to advise to whom.  Checking A1c on uncontrolled type 1 diabetics every 3 months is very important to guide treatment &amp; prevent severe complications. Some tests have pros/cons. Worthwhile asking ordering doc the reasons for the ordered tests.

Question 2

can you help? could regular blood tests pick up cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: Regular blood tests do not diagnose any particular cancer. Though abnormalities, e.g., blood cell counts,  seen on regular tests may lead to additional tests that diagnose cancer, 
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex.

Question 3

do sexual diseases show on regular fasting blood tests done by doctors?

Accepted Answer

No: There are separate tests for each of the sexually transmitted infections. There is no well defined panel of "regular" blood tests. 
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex. 
Get HPV vaccine.

Question 4

can regular blood tests pick up on alcohol drinking?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the test: There are lab tests that can detect alcohol intake, one being test for carbohydrate deficient transferrin, others being elevations in liver enzymes and hdl. These are in addition to direct measurement of alcohol in blood.

Question 5

if chimpanzee/great ape hunting and consumption is common in some areas of the world, is it possible that new undetectable kinds of hiv (from regular blood tests) are spreading throughout the world esp. with increased global travel to/from countries?

Accepted Answer

HIV diagnosis: Any such newly evolving virus would almost certainly be sufficiently similar to current HIV strains that something like this would be easily detected long before it became a common problem. It certainly is not an issue at the present time. In the US, and really in any country worldwide, any and all HIV infections are detected with the standard tests now in use. Nothing to worry about.

Question 6

would regular blood tests rule out kidney failure?

Accepted Answer

They help.: Two blood tests that pinpoint kidney funcion are the serum creatinine and the egfr (estimated glomerular filtration rate). Creatinine is a breakdown product of muscle cells; creatinine is eliminated by healthy kidneys. As kidneys work less well, the creatitine level rises in the blood. The egfr, on the other hand, will fall as kidney function declines.

Question 7

have yearly  regular blood tests to do, been taking valtrex1000 mg daily for last 6 months , will it affect my tests, doing my rbc, wbc, cholestol etc?

Accepted Answer

It shouldn't: Your physician knows you're on it. If your labs are off, your physician will consider possible causes including meds. Hope the Valtrex (valacyclovir) has been helpful.

Question 8

can daily use of regular-strength aspirin (325mg) lead to internal bleeding over time? how would a person know if that were the case? would blood tests indicate that somehow?

Accepted Answer

: yes under certain circumstances. It would be manifested as bruising of skin, black stools and in other ways. Taking ANY drug /medicine without MD supervision (yes aspirin is a drug) is dangerous. Blood tests can indicate it

Question 9

how would the symptoms and treatment of chemical epididymitis (caused by urine flowing backwards) differ from the regular type? would it show on urine tests, blood tests or ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

: There is no such thing as "urine flowing backwards" causing epididymitis. I hope you've been tested for STDs:  Below age 30, by far the most common causes are gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Question 10

what do blood tests check for? i have a friend who has to get regular blood work done to check his kidneys and liver. im worried that theyre going to fin pot in his system. can that kind of blood test show pot?

Accepted Answer

See below : Routine blood tests do not look for pot. It is urine that is commonly the specimen for drug tests.  Even the lab will only do the test if specifically ordered by the doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Do regular blood tests look for weed

A member asked:

How important is it to have regular blood tests?

A member asked:

Can you help? could regular blood tests pick up cancer?

A member asked:

Do sexual diseases show on regular fasting blood tests done by doctors?

A member asked:

Can regular blood tests pick up on alcohol drinking?

A member asked:

If chimpanzee/great ape hunting and consumption is common in some areas of the world, is it possible that new undetectable kinds of hiv (from regular blood tests) are spreading throughout the world esp. with increased global travel to/from countries?

A member asked:

Would regular blood tests rule out kidney failure?

A member asked:

Have yearly regular blood tests to do, been taking valtrex1000 mg daily for last 6 months , will it affect my tests, doing my rbc, wbc, cholestol etc?

A member asked:

Can daily use of regular-strength aspirin (325mg) lead to internal bleeding over time? how would a person know if that were the case? would blood tests indicate that somehow?

A member asked:

How would the symptoms and treatment of chemical epididymitis (caused by urine flowing backwards) differ from the regular type? would it show on urine tests, blood tests or ultrasound?

A member asked:

What do blood tests check for? i have a friend who has to get regular blood work done to check his kidneys and liver. im worried that theyre going to fin pot in his system. can that kind of blood test show pot?

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