Newswise — Most of us know why vampires like to draw blood, but have you ever wondered why your medical doctor might want to have blood work done on you? What can a tube of blood tell about you?
To help the public get a better understanding of the answers, as well as being more comfortable with blood work, the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society has teamed up with some of Pennsylvania’s best physicians to produce its Fall 2010 Good Medicine web show on blood testing.
The four-minute web show features Maria De Mario D.O., a family medicine specialist from Newtown Square, Pa., and Christopher Hannum M.D., an internist from Chester, Pa. Both are members of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Delaware County Medical Society.
During the show, both Dr. De Mario and Dr. Hannum describe the reasons why a physician might be interested in studying a patient’s blood. They also describe the process of having blood work done to give patients a better understanding of what to expect.
Currently, the show can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItQe3NTKHLE. Good Medicine is provided free to the media and bloggers for their use either on their web sites or on the air.
Community groups and schools are also welcome to use these materials for free.
To watch other episodes of Good Medicine visit http://www.myfamilywellness.org/Videos.aspx or http://www.youtube.com/PAMedSociety. Good Medicine is a product of the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society. It is produced periodically to help patients live better, healthier lives, and taps Pennsylvania Medical Society members to cover topics ranging from flu shots to tobacco use.
For those unable to watch the web show, Pennsylvania Medical Society member physicians want you to know the following:
Who wants your blood and why?
Blood carries many secrets about your health. When your doctor orders a blood test, he or she is looking to see if the levels of different substances in your blood fall within a “normal” range which may differ depending on your age, gender, race, and other factors.
Some of the most common blood tests are:
• A Complete Blood Count (CBC) can detect blood diseases and disorders. • Blood chemistry tests measure different chemicals in the blood and provide information about nerves, muscles (including the heart), bones, and organs, such as the kidneys and liver. • Blood enzyme tests measure the amounts of certain enzymes in your blood. These tests can help diagnose a heart attack.• Blood tests to assess heart disease risk measure substances in your blood that may show whether you're at increased risk for coronary artery disease. What do blood tests show?
“We often order blood tests to see if your medications are causing side effects, if your cholesterol count is too high, if your blood sugar levels are managed or if we suspect low thyroid issues,” adds Harrisburg internal medicine physician John Goldman, MD. “We also draw blood as part of your annual physical exam to see how well your organs, like the kidney or liver are working.”
Many factors can cause your blood test levels to fall outside the normal range. Abnormal levels may be a sign of a serious disorder such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, or diabetes. “But many factors—diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and medication (both prescription and over-the-counter)—also can cause abnormal levels,” notes Dr. Goldman.
He also adds that blood tests alone can't be used to diagnose many diseases or medical problems. However, blood tests also can help find potential problems early, when treatments or lifestyle changes may work best.
“Remarkably, blood tests haven’t changed in 20 years. It’s a pretty standard and reliable process,” notes Dr. Goldman. “If you’re not sure what your doctor is looking for, just ask.”
The patient-doctor relationship has been the priority of the Pennsylvania Medical Society since its founding in 1848. Today, the physician members continue to focus on better health for all Pennsylvanians. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Medical Society, visit the web site at www.pamedsoc.org or its patient website at www.myfamilywellness.org. The Institute for Good Medicine at PAMED can be found www.goodmedicine.org.
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