Key Blood Tests That Help Identify Major Health Concerns

Blood work, also known as blood tests, is an integral part of a standard doctor's visit to check how well your organs are functioning. It can also detect any nutritional deficiencies, and anemia, and can help diagnose many chronic conditions and diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. You may not realize it, but several life-saving blood tests can reveal serious health conditions.

Blood tests assess how well organs function and reveal abnormalities that typically warrant further specific testing. As Dr. Keith Hoots of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explained, the first question after a blood test is "Is it accurate?"

Blood tests broadly screen for potential conditions that subsequent testing must confirm. They are part of a process going from general to more specific, Dr. Hoots added.

To identify life-saving blood tests that reveal serious health conditions, 24/7 Tempo conducted a review of various medical publications such as the Mayo Clinic, the U.S. National Library of Medicine, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration press announcements.

We chose conditions where blood tests either confirm the disorder or raise red flags prompting confirmation. Information on symptoms, confirming tests, and treatment came from Mayo Clinic and other sources. (See why the women and men in these countries live the longest.)

Here are life-saving blood tests that reveal serious health conditions:

1. Allergies

Common symptoms: Sneezing, watery eyes, hives, rash
Confirmation tests: Allergy testing
Treatment: Medication, immunotherapy

2. Rheumatoid arthritis

Common symptoms: Joint stiffness, fever, fatigue
Confirmation tests: Test for antibodies, imaging tests, additional blood tests
Treatment: Biologic agents, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, steroids

3. HIV

Common symptoms: Rash, swollen lymph glands, fever, weight loss
Confirmation tests: ELISA test, saliva tests, viral load tests
Treatment: Protease inhibitors (PIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

4. Pulmonary embolism

Common symptoms: Shortness of breath, chest pain, cough
Confirmation tests: Chest X-ray, ultrasound, spiral CT scan

5. Diabetes

Common symptoms: Slow-healing sores, extreme hunger, thirst
Confirmation tests: Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test, blood sugar test
Treatment: Insulin, monitoring blood sugar

6. Lyme disease

Common symptoms: Rash
Confirmation tests: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test
Treatment: Antibiotics

7. Zika

Common symptoms: Mild fever, rash, joint pain
Confirmation tests: Blood or urine test
Treatment: No antiviral treatment. No vaccine

8. Vitamin K deficiency

Common symptoms: Excessive bleeding, dark stool
Confirmation tests: Coagulation test, or PT test
Treatment: Phytonadione supplement

9. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

Common symptoms: Rapid heartbeat, sweating, increased appetite, sleeping problems
Confirmation tests: Physical exam, radioiodine uptake test, thyroid scan or ultrasound
Treatment: Radioactive iodine, beta-blockers, surgery

10. Lymphoma

Common symptoms: Lymph swelling, fatigue, fever
Confirmation tests: Removing lymph for testing, physical exam
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant

11. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Common symptoms: Pain in leg, discolored skin, feeling of warmth
Confirmation tests: Ultrasounds, further blood tests, venography
Treatment: Blood thinners, clot busters, filters, compression stockings

12. Hepatitis A

Common symptoms: Fatigue, sudden nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine
Confirmation tests: Blood sample
Treatment: No specific treatment; rest, nausea management

13. Lung cancer

Common symptoms: Coughing up blood, chest pain, bone pain, headache
Confirmation tests: CT scan, tissue sample, imaging tests
Treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy

14. Gonorrhea

Common symptoms: Painful urination, pain or swelling, discharge
Confirmation tests: Urine test, swab of affected area
Treatment: Antibiotics

15. Dehydration

Common symptoms: Thirst, sunken eyes, listlessness
Confirmation tests: Additional blood tests, urinalysis
Treatment: Electrolytes, intravenous fluids

16. Paget's disease

Common symptoms: Flaky skin on nipple, redness, lumps
Confirmation tests: Physical exam, breast biopsy, sentinel lymph biopsy
Treatment: Simple mastectomy, lumpectomy

17. Osteoporosis

Common symptoms: Back pain, weight loss
Confirmation tests: Bone density measurement, X-rays
Treatment: Bisphosphonates, hormone-related therapy

18. Concussion

Common symptoms: Confusion, nausea, slurred speech
Confirmation tests: Neurological examination, review of medical history
Treatment: Limit physical activity and reading

19. Colorectal cancer

Common symptoms: Rectal bleeding, weight loss, weakness
Confirmation tests: Colonoscopy, further blood tests
Treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy

20. Influenza

Common symptoms: Fever, headache, sore throat
Confirmation tests: Physical exam, polymerase chain reaction testing
Treatment: Liquids, fluids, pain medication

21. Coronary heart disease

Common symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, heart attack
Confirmation tests: Electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, stress test
Treatment: Beta-blockers, bypass surgery, stent placement

22. Liver problems

Common symptoms: Jaundice, abdominal pain, itchy skin, dark urine, loss of appetite
Confirmation tests: Additional blood tests, imaging tests, tissue analysis
Treatment: Lifestyle modification, liver transplant

23. Gilbert's syndrome

Common symptoms: Yellow skin
Confirmation tests: Complete blood count, liver function tests
Treatment: None, disease usually resolves itself

24. Hepatitis C

Common symptoms: Bleeding and bruising, swelling, confusion
Confirmation tests: Genotype test, viral load test, additional blood tests
Treatment: Antiviral medications, liver transplantation

25. Ovarian cancer

Common symptoms: Pelvic area discomfort, weight loss, bloating
Confirmation tests: Pelvic exam, imaging tests, additional blood tests, surgery
Treatment: Targeted therapy drugs, chemotherapy, surgery

26. Hormone imbalances

Common symptoms: Weight gain, fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold or heat, muscle aches
Confirmation tests: Pelvic exam, ultrasound
Treatment: Hormone therapy

27. Chronic kidney disease

Common symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sleep problems
Confirmation tests: Urine tests, imaging tests, kidney biopsy
Treatment: Blood pressure, anemia, cholesterol, swelling, medications

28. Breast cancer

Common symptoms: Breast lump, redness of breast skin, change of shape of breast
Confirmation tests: Mammogram, breast ultrasound, biopsy
Treatment: Lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy

29. Cirrhosis

Common symptoms: Fatigue, itchy skin, jaundice
Confirmation tests: Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), biopsy
Treatment: Treatment for alcohol dependency, liver transplant surgery

30. Pregnancy

Common symptoms: Nausea, late period, increased urination
Confirmation tests: Blood test, MRI
Treatment: Consult physician

31. Ebola

Common symptoms: Fever and chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Confirmation tests: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test
Treatment: Fluid and blood replacement, hospital care

32. Syphilis

Common symptoms: Gеnital rash, hair loss, muscle aches
Confirmation tests: Further blood tests, spinal tap
Treatment: Antibiotics (usually penicillin)

33. Lupus

Common symptoms: Facial rash, fever, fatigue, joint pain
Confirmation tests: Further blood and urine tests, chest x-ray, echocardiogram
Treatment: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants

34. Excessive alcohol use

Common symptoms: Memory loss, poor coordination, isolation, alcohol withdrawal
Confirmation tests: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin blood test, DSM-5 diagnosis
Treatment: Behavioral treatments, medication, mutual-support groups

35. Menopause

Common symptoms: Hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, weight gain
Confirmation tests: Review of symptoms, menstrual cycle tracking
Treatment: OTC vaginal lubricants, improved diet, hormone replacement therapy

36. Herpes

Common symptoms: Sores and ulcers on gеnitals
Confirmation tests: Viral culture, polymerase chain reaction, additional blood tests
Treatment: No cure, medication for symptoms

37. Mononucleosis

Common symptoms: Swollen tonsils, fatigue, fever
Confirmation tests: Antibody tests, white blood cell count
Treatment: No treatment available

38. Leukemia

Common symptoms: Bone pain, weight loss, nose bleed recurrent
Confirmation tests: Coagulation panel blood test, bone marrow aspiration
Treatment: Stem cell transplant, radiation, biological therapy

39. Early-onset Alzheimer's

Common symptoms: Memory loss, depression, loss of inhibitions
Confirmation tests: Physical tests, neurological tests, further blood tests, brain imaging
Treatment: Cholinesterase inhibitors, Memantine

40. Stomach cancer

Common symptoms: Fatigue, bloated feeling, heartburn, stomach pain
Confirmation tests: Upper endoscopy, imaging tests
Treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs

41. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

Common symptoms: Weight gain, sensitivity to cold, thinning hair, depression, enlarged thyroid
Confirmation tests: Thyroid panel blood test
Treatment: Hormone therapy

42. Hemophilia

Common symptoms: Excessive bleeding, deep bruising, bloody stool
Confirmation tests: Coagulation panel blood test
Treatment: Replacement therapy, desmopressin hormone, clot-preserving medication, physical therapy

43. Hepatitis B

Common symptoms: Abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain, jaundice
Confirmation tests: Further blood tests, transient elastography, liver biopsy
Treatment: Rest, antiviral medication, interferon injection, liver transplant

44. Liver cancer

Common symptoms: Weight loss, abdominal pain, jaundice, white stools
Confirmation tests: Imaging tests, liver biopsy
Treatment: Surgery, liver transplant, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy

45. Chlamydia

Common symptoms: Painful urination, abdominal pain, vaginal or penile discharge
Confirmation tests: Urine test, swab test
Treatment: Antibiotics

46. Pancreatitis

Common symptoms: Abdominal pain, fever, rapid pulse
Confirmation tests: Stool test, CT scan, ultrasound, MRI
Treatment: Fasting, pain medication, IV fluids

47. Cholecystitis (gallbladder Inflammation)

Common symptoms: Severe abdominal pain, nausea, fever
Confirmation tests: Imaging tests, hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan
Treatment: Fasting, IV fluids, antibiotics, pain medication, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

48. Anemia

Common symptoms: Weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, cold hands and feet
Confirmation tests: Complete blood count test
Treatment: Nutritional supplements, blood transfusion

49. Multiple myeloma

Common symptoms: Bone pain, nausea, constipation, excessive thirst, weakness in legs
Confirmation tests: Blood test, urine test, bone marrow aspiration, imaging tests
Treatment: Drug treatment, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, bone marrow transplant, radiation therapy

50. Tuberculosis

Common symptoms: Excessive coughing, coughing up blood, chest pain, weight loss
Confirmation tests: Skin test, blood test, imaging tests, sputum tests
Treatment: Medication