Biokemijske preiskave krvi

Customer question:

Which diseases are detected by biochemical blood tests? Anonymous customer

Pharmacist's answer:

Biochemical blood tests are laboratory tests that measure various substances in the blood, which enables the assessment of the functioning of various organs and systems in the body.

These tests can help detect and monitor many diseases. Some of the diseases that can be detected with the help of biochemical blood tests include:

• diseases of the heart and blood vessels
• diabetes
• liver disease
• kidney diseases
• electrolyte balance
• thyroid diseases
• bone diseases
• rheumatic diseases

Can biochemical blood tests detect cancer?

Biochemical blood tests are essential in diagnosing various diseases, including cancer. Although biochemical tests alone cannot directly detect cancer, they can indicate specific body changes associated with malignant processes.

The following biochemical blood tests can be used to assess health and the possible presence of cancer:

• Tumor markers are substances that can be produced by tumor cells or are present in increased amounts due to tumor activity. Examples include specific proteins, enzymes, or other molecules, such as PSA (prostate-specific antigen) for prostate cancer or CA-125 for ovarian cancer.

• Inflammatory Markers: Cancer often causes inflammatory responses in the body. Specific markers in the blood, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), can be increased by inflammation caused by cancer.

• Enzymes and proteins: changes in the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in the blood can indicate problems with organs or tissues, possibly related to cancer. For example, liver enzymes (AST, ALT) or CA 19-9 protein can be increased in some types of cancer.

It is important to emphasize that no marker is a 100% reliable indicator of the presence of cancer. Additional imaging tests (e.g., CT, MRI, PET-CT), biopsy, and other diagnostic methods are often needed to confirm a cancer diagnosis. If there are suspicions of cancer or specific symptoms, it is essential to consult a doctor, who will refer to appropriate tests to assess the patient's health.

Interesting reading: Elevated lymphocytes

Interesting reading: Elevated Lymphocytes forum