Your blood can reveal a lot when it comes to diagnostic or preventive care, which is why your doctor often requests a blood test. Once your blood is tested, Dr. Payum Abdarbashi and Dr. Dilip Anmangandla of Pacific MD in Woodland Hills and Agoura Hills, California, sit down with you to review your results and whether anything should be investigated further.
Since your blood travels from one end of your body to the other, delivering oxygen to where it’s needed and waste to where it’s processed, the blood contains a lot of information about your health. A typical blood test will measure the following:
Each of these measurements divulges something about how your body is functioning.
Blood is typically drawn during an annual physical to perform standard tests that can shed light on your health, such as whether you have any diseases or infections, and just to simply make sure your blood levels are within the norm.
The reasons for drawing blood outside an annual physical depend entirely upon your situation and your reasons for seeking medical care. Blood is a great diagnostic tool and is one of the first things you doctor will turn to to find answers.
Usually, nothing needs to be done before you get your blood drawn. Some blood tests, however, require that you fast for anywhere from 8-12 hours before you get blood drawn. The staff at Pacific MD can help advise you in how you can prepare for your blood test.
Drawing blood is a simple and quick procedure, and usually takes place at a diagnostic or testing center. The procedure itself takes only minutes and involves:
Side effects are uncommon, but may include some spotting or minor bruising.
At Pacific MD, we accept most major insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed here.