How Often Should You Get a Blood Test? What Los Angeles Patients Should Know

Blood tests are one of the most common types of tests that people get for their health, and once you get the results, it’s important for people to understand them. It is one of the easiest ways to get information about what is happening in your body and it helps doctors understand your health in a better way.

Many individuals in Los Angeles often wonder how often they should get a blood test and what exactly happens during one and at Brentview Urgent Care, we provide Blood Test Services in Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Brentwood for adults, seniors and children. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable during your visit and to make sure the process is done correctly and safely, so that you can go home with results that are helpful.

Why Blood Tests Are Important

Blood tests are used for checking the many different things that are inside your blood. They can measure the number of blood cells and the levels of other things like cholesterol, sugar, and hormones. These things can change depending on your diet, stress, or other health problems.

Doctors recommend getting blood tests to:

• Check how your organs are working and if they are healthy.
• Detect infection or inflammation that can happen in your body.
• Measure your cholesterol levels and sugar levels in the blood.
• See if medication you are taking is affecting your health.
• Check if your vitamins are low or high.

Our blood test services in Los Angeles use modern equipment that is very precise and results are ready in a short amount of time.

How Often You Should Get a Blood Test

The number of times a person should get a blood test depends on their age, condition and doctor’s advice. For most healthy adults, it is recommended to get a blood test at least once per year for general health. For others who have conditions like diabetes, thyroid, or cholesterol problems, the test should be done more often.

At Brentview Urgent Care, we help patients understand how often blood testing is recommended for their unique case, it all depends on what they need and based on how the patient feels or their medical history.

Different Kinds of Blood Tests

There are many different blood tests and each test has a purpose. The most common tests include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
• Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP): This test checks electrolytes and kidneys and glucose.
• Lipid Panel: This test is used to see cholesterol and triglycerides.
• A1C Test: It measures average sugar in your blood.
• Thyroid Test: It checks thyroid levels for hormones that control metabolism.

All these tests work together to show a complete picture of your health and help your doctor give advice that is specific to you.

An Easy and Simple Process

If you have never had a blood test before and it’s your first time, you don’t need to worry. Blood Tests usually take less than fifteen minutes or slightly more depending on the number of tests you need. There is no significant pain and the process is very straightforward.

Here is what usually happens:

• Preparation: Sometimes you are told not to eat or drink anything before your blood test, this helps the results be more accurate.
• Collection: The staff member will take a small sample from your arm using a needle.
• Completion: The process is finished quickly and you can leave right after.

Blood tests at Brentview Urgent Care use the latest and best equipment and take only a few minutes to complete the procedure. Patients often say they feel fine after the test, and is safe practice for almost everyone.

When to Get Tested Earlier Than Usual

There are times when you may need to get a blood test sooner than the usual yearly one. These include when:

• You are feeling tired for no reason or weak even after sleeping.
• There is a sudden change in your weight or your appetite.
• You are taking new medication that can affect your body.
• Your family has a history of heart or other medical problems.
• Your last test results were not normal.

If you notice any of these problems then it may be a good idea to come for a test as soon as possible, this will help you check up on your health and prevent anything serious.

Visit Brentview Urgent Care for a Blood Test

If you are not sure when your next blood test should be, or if you want to get one soon, visit Brentview Urgent Care today.

We provide blood test services in Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Brentwood. Our locations make it easy for you to come in for blood tests and other conditions any time you need it. You don’t require an appointment and depending on the amount of work, most visits are finished in about an hour.

We are here to help with your health and your needs for you and your family.