10 Surprising Things You Can Detect With a Blood Test
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Lorna Collier on September 5, 2020
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Blood Test Results Show More Than You ThinkLike most patients, you’ve probably undergone routine blood work, maybe to check your cholesterol level or to see whether you're anemic. So, the idea that your blood holds clues to what's going on inside your body isn't new. But what has changed today is the type of information doctors are able to mine from that simple vial of blood. Thanks to new gene science and better technology, blood test results can help doctors find conditions from hearing loss to depression, and much more.
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1. Whether You Have a ConcussionYou’ve banged your head in a fall. A new blood test can quickly tell your doctors whether it's likely you have a brain injury. The Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator blood test was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2018. Doctors hope this concussion test will eliminate at least one-third of CT scans now being done on people with suspected brain injuries. The blood test measures proteins released by the brain within 12 hours of a head injury and was found to be 97.5% effective at finding injuries and 99.6% effective at ruling out concussions in those who don't have them.
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2. If You Have Colon Cancer or PolypsResearchers are developing simple blood tests for cancer, hoping to catch it in its earliest stages. One promising test aims at ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, colon, lung and breast cancers. Another test targets colorectal cancer, finding precancerous polyps as well as early-stage tumors, with an overall 88% accuracy rate. This test may not replace colonoscopy but would give another option besides stool sampling tests for those who don't choose or can't have colonoscopy. Cancer blood tests are still being studied and aren't yet widely available.
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3. Your Risk for PreeclampsiaPreeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that can be dangerous to you and your unborn baby if not detected early. Israeli scientists have discovered biomarkers of preeclampsia that appear in the blood as early as the first trimester, before symptoms appear. The researchers reported their findings in February 2018. They are hoping to develop a blood test that can be given early in pregnancy, which can help doctors treat preeclampsia more effectively.
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4. Whether You Have a Mental Illness, Such as DepressionResearchers are working on tests that can help doctors determine whether you have a mental illness and what type you might have, using biological markers in the blood. One test distinguishes between depression and schizophrenia. Others check the level of depression or anxiety you may have. One team of researchers is trying to test for bipolar disorder. The hope is that with earlier, more precise diagnosis, better treatment can follow.
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5. Your Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s DiseaseResearchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have detected two key markers of Alzheimer's in the blood, amyloid beta and tau, which appear many years—even decades—before symptoms begin. Right now, these markers can only be detected through a PET (positive emission tomography) scan or spinal tap. Blood tests for these markers can help show if you are at risk for the disease, so that preventive steps, such as diet and lifestyle changes, can be taken early.
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6. Your Likelihood of Becoming a Binge DrinkerWhen University of Illinois at Chicago researchers examined the blood of binge drinkers and moderate drinkers, they found binge drinkers had much higher levels of one particular biomarker (phosphatidylethanol, or PEth). Binge drinking occurs when people drink a lot in a short amount of time, usually five or more drinks in two hours for men and four or more drinks in two hours for women. It’s associated with serious health risks, such as injuries, violence, sexually transmitted disease, and alcohol dependence. Bloodwork to detect PEth could help screen for and prevent binge drinking, said researchers.
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7. If You Are DehydratedDehydration, especially in the elderly, can be a serious problem, leading to urinary tract infections, disability, and even death. Up to 20% of elderly people in residential care are dehydrated. Researchers from the University of East Anglia in England have developed a formula that uses results from routine blood tests to quickly and inexpensively detect dehydration. At present, a costly and time-consuming "serum osmality" blood test can also find dehydration, but it is not given as often due to expense.
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8. Whether a Child Is AutisticA team of British and Italian researchers has found biomarkers in both blood and urine that can indicate autism. A study published in February 2018 revealed differences in blood proteins in children with autism spectrum disorder compared to non-autistic children. The blood and urine tests are believed to be the first of their kind. Researchers hope their ongoing work helps lead to earlier detection of autism, along with more effective treatment and a better understanding of the causes of this disorder.
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9. Every Virus You’ve Ever HadWhen you get sick with a virus, such as a cold or flu, your body makes antibodies, which stay in your system to protect you against this virus in the future. Researchers have developed a blood test to show what you've been infected with in the past, in order to help guide your care in the future. For example, if you need a transplant, this information can predict potential future problems. Or it can detect your risk for illnesses related to past viruses you’ve fought, which you may not have realized you had or forgot to mention to your doctor.
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10. Whether You Have Hearing LossResearchers at the University of Connecticut are investigating blood biomarkers that may be able to identify inner ear disorders, such as hearing loss and vertigo. The blood test for hearing loss would be able to detect this loss at an early stage, before most patients are referred for audiograms or other complex tests. The researchers also have found a blood marker for a common type of vertigo. As with other blood tests that reveal conditions at early stages, this valuable knowledge can help doctors treat your condition more quickly and effectively.
10 Surprising Things You Can Detect With a Blood Test