contain type A or B antigens.
The presence or absence of Rh antigens (factors) determines whether
your blood is Rh-positive or Rh-negative.
Blood typing is important for transferring blood from one person to
another. Antigens are the immunity of the individual and reflect one’s ability
to fight pathogenic invasions.
Other Common Terms and Tests Used
Electrolyte Panels: Show glucose and blood serum electrolytes.
Thyroid Panels: Show T4s (Thyroxin), T3s (Systemic converted
Thyroxin), and TSHs (Thyroid stimulating hormone, from pituitary).
Lipid Profile Panels: Show cholesterol (LDLs and HDLs) and blood
triglyceride levels.
PART II
HOW TO INTERPRET YOUR BLOOD TESTS
General Chemistry
GLUCOSE — In general, basic serum glucose levels may be an indicator of
many conditions within the body. Elevated levels may indicate diabetes
mellitus, hyper-parathyroidism, Cushing’s disease, stress, pancreatitis,
corticosteroid and diuretic therapy, pheochromocytoma, and cellular acidosis.
Decreased levels may indicate hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, liver disease
and Addison’s disease.
MINERALS — The minerals sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium are
the main electrically-charged cations and anions, which constitute the body’s
electrolytes.
SODIUM — Sodium is the most abundant cation (positively charged)
mineral in extracellular fluids. Therefore, it is the major salt in determining
extracellular osmolality (transportation) of nutrients and constituents. Blood
sodium is a direct result of the balance between dietary intake and kidney