What Are Blood Tests?

Blood tests help doctors check for certain diseases and conditions. They also help check the function of your organs and show how well treatments are working.

Specifically, blood tests can help doctors: 

• Evaluate how well organs—such as the kidneys, liver, thyroid, and heart—are working 
• Diagnose diseases and conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, anemia, and coronary heart disease 
• Find out whether you have risk factors for heart disease 
• Check whether medicines you're taking are working 
• Assess how well your blood is clotting 

Overview

1. Blood tests are very common. When you have routine checkups, your doctor may recommend blood tests to see how your body is working.
2. Many blood tests don't require any special preparations. For some, you may need to fast (not eat any food) for 8 to 12 hours before the test. Your doctor will let you know how to prepare for blood tests.
3. During a blood test, a small sample of blood is taken from your body. It's usually drawn from a vein in your arm using a needle. A finger prick also might be used.
4. The procedure usually is quick and easy, although it may cause some short-term discomfort. Most people don't have serious reactions to having blood drawn.
5. Laboratory (lab) workers draw the blood and analyze it. They use either whole blood to count blood cells, or they separate the blood cells from the fluid that contains them. This fluid is called plasma or serum.
6. The fluid is used to measure different substances in the blood. The results can help detect health problems in early stages, when treatments or lifestyle changes may work best.
7. Doctors can't diagnose many diseases and medical problems with blood tests alone. Your doctor may consider other factors to confirm a diagnosis. These factors can include your signs and symptoms, your medical history, your vital signs (blood pressure, breathing, pulse, and temperature), and results from other tests and procedures.

Outlook

Blood tests have few risks. Most complications are minor and go away shortly after the tests are done.

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What Is an Arrhythmia?

 

An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.

• A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia. 
• A heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia.

Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. During an arrhythmia, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. Lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart, and other organs.

Sign and Symptoms

Many arrhythmias cause no signs or symptoms. When signs or symptoms are present, the most common ones are:

• Palpitations (feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or fast)
• A slow heartbeat
• An irregular heartbeat
• Feeling pauses between heartbeats

More serious signs and symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Weakness, dizziness, and light-headedness
• Fainting or nearly fainting
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

The Outlook

There are many types of arrhythmia. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some are not. The outlook for a person who has an arrhythmia depends on the type and severity of the arrhythmia.

Even serious arrhythmias often can be successfully treated. Most people who have arrhythmias are able to live normal, healthy lives.

Learn how to take your pulse. Discuss with your doctor what pulse rate is normal for you. Keep a record of changes in your pulse rate and share this information with your doctor.

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Why Is Cholesterol Important?

Why Is Cholesterol Important?

Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. A risk factor is a condition that increases your chance of getting a disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack. 

How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?

When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup causes "hardening of the arteries" so that arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart is slowed down or blocked. The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach your heart, you may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.

High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms, so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high. It is important to find out what your cholesterol numbers are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease, even if you already have it. Cholesterol lowering is important for everyone--younger, middle age, and older adults; women and men; and people with or without heart disease.

What Do Your Cholesterol Numbers Mean?

Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. It is best to have a blood test called a "lipoprotein profile" to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a 9- to 12-hour fast and gives information about your: 

• Total cholesterol 
• LDL (bad) cholesterol--the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries 
• HDL (good) cholesterol--helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries 
• Triglycerides--another form of fat in your blood 

If it is not possible to get a lipoprotein profile done, knowing your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol can give you a general idea about your cholesterol levels. If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL* or more or if your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, you will need to have a lipoprotein profile done.

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How Is Anemia Diagnosed?

Your doctor will diagnose anemia based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and results from tests and procedures.

Because anemia doesn't always cause symptoms, your doctor may find out you have it while checking for another condition.

Medical and Family Histories

Your doctor may ask whether you have any of the common signs or symptoms of anemia. He or she also may ask whether you've had an illness or condition that could cause anemia.

Let your doctor know about any medicines you take, what you typically eat (your diet), and whether you have family members who have anemia or a history of it.

Physical Examination

Your doctor will do a physical exam to find out how severe your anemia is and to check for possible causes. He or she may: 

• Listen to your heart for a rapid or irregular heartbeat 
• Listen to your lungs for rapid or uneven breathing 
• Feel your abdomen to check the size of your liver and spleen 

Your doctor also may do a pelvic or rectal exam to check for common sources of blood loss.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

You may have various blood tests and other tests or procedures to find out what type of anemia you have and how severe it is.

Complete Blood Count

Often, the first test used to diagnose anemia is a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC measures many parts of your blood.

The test checks your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body. Hematocrit is a measure of how much space red blood cells take up in your blood. A low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit is a sign of anemia.

The normal range of these levels might be lower in certain racial and ethnic populations. Your doctor can explain your test results to you.

The CBC also checks the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. Abnormal results might be a sign of anemia, another blood disorder, an infection, or another condition.

Finally, the CBC looks at mean corpuscular (kor-PUS-kyu-lar) volume (MCV). MCV is a measure of the average size of your red blood cells and a clue as to the cause of your anemia. In iron-deficiency anemia, for example, red blood cells usually are smaller than normal.

Other Tests and Procedures

If the CBC results show that you have anemia, you may need other tests, such as: 

• Hemoglobin electrophoresis (e-lek-tro-FOR-e-sis). This test looks at the different types of hemoglobin in your blood. The test can help diagnose the type of anemia you have. 
• A reticulocyte (re-TIK-u-lo-site) count. This test measures the number of young red blood cells in your blood. The test shows whether your bone marrow is making red blood cells at the correct rate. 
• Tests for the level of iron in your blood and body. These tests include serum iron and serum ferritin tests. Transferrin level and total iron-binding capacity tests also measure iron levels. 

Because anemia has many causes, you also might be tested for conditions such as kidney failure, lead poisoning (in children), and vitamin deficiencies (lack of vitamins, such as B12 and folic acid).

If your doctor thinks that you have anemia due to internal bleeding, he or she may suggest several tests to look for the source of the bleeding. A test to check the stool for blood might be done in your doctor's office or at home. Your doctor can give you a kit to help you get a sample at home. He or she will tell you to bring the sample back to the office or send it to a laboratory.

If blood is found in the stool, you may have other tests to find the source of the bleeding. One such test is endoscopy. For this test, a tube with a tiny camera is used to view the lining of the digestive tract.

Your doctor also may want to do bone marrow tests. These tests show whether your bone marrow is healthy and making enough blood cells.

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Anemia and the Signs

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Anemia?

The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue (feeling tired or weak). If you have anemia, you may find it hard to find the energy to do normal activities.

Other signs and symptoms of anemia include: 

• Shortness of breath 
• Dizziness 
• Headache 
• Coldness in the hands and feet 
• Pale skin 
• Chest pain 

These signs and symptoms can occur because your heart has to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood through your body.

Mild to moderate anemia may cause very mild symptoms or none at all.

Complications of Anemia

Some people who have anemia may have arrhythmias . Arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. Over time, arrhythmias can damage your heart and possibly lead to heart failure.

• Anemia also can damage other organs in your body because your blood can't get enough oxygen to them.
• Anemia can weaken people who have cancer or HIV/AIDS. This can make their treatments not work as well.
• Anemia also can cause many other health problems. People who have kidney disease and anemia are more likely to have heart problems. With some types of anemia, too little fluid intake or too much loss of fluid in the blood and body can occur. Severe loss of fluid can be life threatening.

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What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells.

Anemia also can occur if your red blood cells don't contain enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. This protein helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

If you have anemia, your body doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. As a result, you may feel tired or weak. You also may have other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or headaches.

Severe or long-lasting anemia can damage your heart, brain, and other organs in your body. Very severe anemia may even cause death.

Overview

Blood is made up of many parts, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma (the fluid portion of blood).

Red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. They carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body. These cells are made in the bone marrow—a sponge-like tissue inside the bones.

White blood cells and platelets also are made in the bone marrow. White blood cells help fight infection. Platelets stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on the blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. With some types of anemia, you may have low numbers of all three types of blood cells.

Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, or high rates of red blood cell destruction. These causes might be the result of diseases, conditions, or other factors.

Outlook

Many types of anemia can be mild, short term, and easily treated. You can even prevent some types with a healthy diet. Other types can be treated with dietary supplements.

However, certain types of anemia can be severe, long lasting, and even life threatening if not diagnosed and treated.

If you have signs or symptoms of anemia, see your doctor to find out whether you have the condition. Treatment will depend on the cause of the anemia and how severe it is.

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Heart Disease in Men: 6 Lifestyle Changes to Lower Your Risk

Heart disease is the world biggest killer, but you have the power to significantly reduce your chances of developing it.

1.4 million men are living with it and around 110,000 suffer heart attacks each year. While you can’t control things like family history, sex or age - there are many things you can.

1. Don’t smoke

You’re twice as likely to have a heart attack if you smoke. Despite the well known fact that smoking is terrible for your health, many still keep up the habit. Chemicals in the tobacco and the carbon monoxide produced when smoking narrow the arteries and reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood, which can dramatically increase the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. By quitting smoking, your risk of heart disease drops almost to that of a non-smoker in about five years. 

2. Exercise and be more active

Staying active is great for keeping your heart healthy. Physical activity helps you control your weight and can reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day can drastically improve your health.

3. Eat well

A healthy diet and a sensible approach to alcohol can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. Only a quarter of adults regularly eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and over a third of men regularly exceed the recommended limits for alcohol intake. Conditions that lead to heart disease, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes can all be influenced by your diet. Check out our guide to help eat your way to a healthier heart.

4. Stay in shape

Being overweight, especially if you carry excess weight around your middle, increases your risk of heart disease. Excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

5. Get yourself checked

Over a quarter of adults have high blood pressure but as many as half of them don't get treatment for the condition. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels. Without testing for them, you probably won't know whether you have these conditions. Get a health check or see your GP to run the tests and discover the shape you’re really in.

6. Get a good night's sleep

Sleep deprivation can seriously harm your health. If you don't get enough sleep you will have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression. Most adults need between six and nine hours of sleep each night however some people can feel perfectly rested with less. If you're someone who is constantly reaching for the snooze button and it's a struggle to get out of bed, you need more sleep each night.

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Regular Check-Ups are Important

It's time to take charge of your health! Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss what screenings and exams you need and when you need them.

Below are resources to help you and your health care provider determine what health services and screenings are best for you.

Why are Check-Ups Important?

Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life. Your age, health and family history, lifestyle choices (i.e. what you eat, how active you are, whether you smoke), and other important factors impact what and how often you need healthcare.

Where Can I Go for Health Services?

The best place to go for health services is your regular health care provider. However, if you do not have one, we can offer you a place for you and your families.

What Health Services are Recommended?

The item below show the service and medical test provided.

• Blood and Urine Test
• Complete Blood Count
• Cholesterol
• Kidney Function Test
• Liver Function test
• Diabetes Screening
• Immunology - HIV, VDRL Screening
• High Blood Pressure
• Immunization Schedules
• Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
• Colorectal Cancer Screening
• Prostate Cancer Screening
• Viral Hepatitis A, B, and C Screening
• Ultrasound Abdomen/ Pelvis
• Allergy Profile - 36 Items
• Resting Electrocardiogram
• Lung Function Test

How Can I Prepare for My Appointment?

You can call up at 1800 88 5001 or 603-6257 5001 for appointment.

Encouraging Others

You may also want to start a campaign in your community (i.e. a faith-based setting, workplace, school, or civic group) to encourage others to make an appointment for a check-up or health screening. We do provide door to door blood sampling service with no extra charges (terms and condition apply). You can also download our mobile apps for more package details.

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Food Intolerance Screening Test: What you need to Know

Over 45% of the population suffers from Food Intolerance at some stage in their life.

What is Food to One Person, Could be Fierce Poison to Another

Food intolerance could manifest itself to different parts of the body such as digestive tract, skin, respiratory tract, cardiovascular system and many more. An individual may produce symptoms of Food Intolerance such as:

• Respiratory (Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Asthma)

• Musculoskeletal (Arthritis, Joint Pains, Arching Muscles and Weakness)

• Gastrointestinal (Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or also known as Leaky Gut System, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating, Cramping, Excessive Wind, Nausea, Constipation, Colic disease etc.)

• Central Nervous Systems (Migraine, Headache, Impaired Concentration, Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue and Hyperactivity especially in children)

• Dermatological (Urticaria, Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema, Itchy skin etc.)

Difference between Food Allergy and Food Intolerance:

	FOOD ALLERGY	FOOD INTOLERANCE
Food Types	Nuts, Seafood	Lactose, Gluten
Mediated	IgE	IgG
Rate Of Response	Immediate after Ingestion	Delayed up to 72 hours after Ingestion
Mechanism	Rapid Production Of Histamine	Gradual Formation of Anitigen or Antibodies Complexes abd Release of Inflammatory Mediators
Symptoms	Classical "Allergic" Response	Various Contributing Symptoms Affecting Various Body Parts
Severity	Possible Life Threathening	Not Life Threathening
Permanance	Can Last Lifetime	Can be Reversed or Reduced by Elimination of Food
Medication	Yes	No, The Only Way is to Reduce or Avoid Foods that the Body are Intolerance to
Diagnosis	Often Self known or Diagnosed	Unable or rarely to be self Diagnosed
Skin Prick Test	Positive	Negative

*Reference: Cambridge Nutritional Science, Allergy UK

Solution:

"Food Elimination and Diet Substitution" is the only solution to this problem. This Food Intolerance Test can Help you to identify and pin point which specific food(s) that could be the main course to your "Allergic" problems.

Wellness Lab Centre

With the gold standard technology, we Wellness Lab Centre are offering Food Intolerance testing to examine and test for 200+ foods from various food groups such as dairy products, vegetables, seafood, meats, herbs and spices, with just few drop of blood!

Specimen Type:  Plain Tube/ EDTA (3 ml) 

TAT: 2 Weeks 

Price: RM 2500.00 

Please Consult Doctor before the test.

For more details, Please call 1800 88 5001 or 03-6257 5001.

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