Taking blood tests requires certain rules to be followed. For example, the procedure must be carried out by a qualified medical worker who knows and observes all safety standards, and the patient must be in emotional and physical peace. In the material we tell what other factors can affect the results of a blood test.
1. Physical activity
The state of a person’s physical activity largely affects the results of blood tests. Even an hour of intensive training leads to significant changes in the body.
When testing, even 24 hours after significant physical activity, the level of ammonia, lactate, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase can be increased in the blood. And for those who play sports professionally, testosterone levels can be increased in the blood.
2. Pregnancy
In the first trimester, pregnancy does not affect blood counts so much. And in the second and third, its influence greatly increases, since the plasma volume becomes almost 2 times larger. Blood tests may also show an increase in glomerular filtration rate.
During pregnancy, a woman’s hormones, proteins and other biochemical parameters change significantly. For example, the rate of cholesterol can be doubled by almost 2 times, since it is necessary for the body in order to build blood vessels in the placenta and in the fetus.
3. Eating
Various diets, fasting, meal times: all these factors also affect the results of a blood test. For example, if the person taking the test consumes a large amount of fatty foods, high levels of potassium, triglycerides and lipids will be found in his blood.
At the same time, due to prolonged abstinence from food, the overall level of protein, urea and cholesterol will decrease. And a strict diet will lead to a decrease in blood sugar levels, as well as an increase in free fatty acids and triglycerides.
4. Psychological problems
Stress and anxiety experienced before the blood donation procedure can also affect the results of the study. For example, due to stress, white blood cell levels may temporarily increase, as well as iron levels may decrease.
Since stress disturbs the balance of the acid-base state, the concentration of glucose, cortisol, cholesterol and insulin in the blood also increases. And this worsens overall well-being and can cause a sharp decline in strength and sudden mood swings.
5. Age
The concentration of a whole range of components in the blood depends on the age of a person and varies significantly from birth to old age. This is due to the fact that at a young age the synthesis of necessary substances occurs in a larger volume than in old age.
Most clearly, these changes are displayed at the level of hemoglobin, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase activity. In addition, the amount of blood in the body also changes with age. Since in children the metabolism is more intensive, in their body, relative to body weight, there is more blood than in an elderly person.
6. Gender
Scientists have proven that there are significant differences in blood tests between men and women. This is especially true for hormones such as testosterone, progesterone and prolactin. Since they perform different functions in the male and female body, their concentration varies significantly.
The level of creatinine, a substance that is synthesized in muscle tissue and from there enters the blood, also differs depending on gender. The norms of indicators established for such an analysis may differ depending on the race and even the region of residence.
7. Menstruation
The period of menstruation affects the female body both at the psychological and physiological levels. Therefore, in many tests, including blood tests, there can be significant shifts.
As a rule, we are talking about a drop in hemoglobin levels and a change in the level of leukocytes. If menstruation is heavy, the color index may also change.
8. Smoking
Many factors affect the accuracy of blood test results. Including smoking. This is due to the fact that under the influence of nicotine, a large number of various hormones are produced, aimed at suppressing the toxic effect.
In addition, in the process of smoking and for some time after that, the level of erythrocytes in the blood increases sharply, and the level of leukocytes decreases. To make the results of the study as accurate as possible, doctors recommend quitting smoking at least 1.5 hours before the test.
9. Medications
Taking medications also changes blood counts. As a rule, drug manufacturers warn about possible changes in the instructions.
Some drugs can lower the concentration of thyroid hormone, such as those used to treat cardiovascular problems. And others – affect the concentration of prolactin.
Read related:8 indicators of health that every person needs to know
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