Blood Drug Testing

Can a blood disorder usually show up in blood tests?

Tests that include Full Blood Count and Blood Cultures It was just a general question because there is something going on and I don't know what it is. I had a blood screen and cultures taken last week. The blood screen was normal apart from slightly raised white cells but I have had a bad cold too. I am still waiting for the culture results but currently my veins are all very prominent and I am getting thread veins appearing and itching to my skin all over the place.

Public Comments

1. yeah thats why they have them
2. No. I lost 2 boys due to a blood disorder. They both died of blood clots. Nathan was 24. Rob 35. The test for the clotting factor they carried was never done routinely. The cost of the tests are excessive. One of the factors they had was anti thrombin 3. Proteims too. The clotting factors are also inherited. Especially if you have American Indian in your genes. You have to request these specialized blood tests.
3. Blood disorders such as leukemia would likely be obvious from a CBC, however such things as a bleeding or clotting disorder probably would not. You should explain either a family history or symptoms of your own to your doc to have them order the special tests.
4. The answer you get depends on the question you ask. If you posted what blood disorder you're talking about, you could expect to get some statistics on how accurate the tests are, but they're never 100%.
5. Certain things can be seen, such as anemia, polycythemia, increased/decreased white count, macrocytosis, increased/decreased lymphocytes, etc. any of which can mean many things, but they primarily help direct your physician to a specific etiology if a blood disorder is suspected. Other disorders like thalessemia, spherocytosis, etc, could be more subtle and require a blood smear. Coagulation disorders, as another person mentioned, would require special assays, if suspected. If you're unclear as to what your physician is looking for, or the rationale behind the tests, you should ask for clarification on a level that is easily understood for you.