As part of a health examination there is a possibility to do a complete blood count, blood glucose and cholesterol count on site, and the SEM doctor can see the results almost immediately. Other samples (including the tests within the package for fitness athletes) are dispatched for processing to our partner medical laboratory SYNLAB Eesti OÜ, and we send the encrypted results to patients by e-mail.
For the purpose of tests, venous blood samples are collected by the nurse when the patient is seated or lying down.
This is an important test that allows the body’s condition to be evaluated and/or a disease process to be suspected. The blood panel measures hemoglobin level in the patient’s blood, determines the cell count of leukocytes (white blood cells), erythrocytes (red blood cells) and thrombocytes (platelets), and calculates the indices characterizing the blood cells.
Hemoglobin is the protein found in erythrocytes, which transports body oxygen and, to a lesser extent, also carbon dioxide. The level of hemoglobin in the athlete’s blood is an important indicator for identifying the causes of fatigue, poorer performance, rapid heartbeat, muscle cramps and other complaints. Lower than normal hemoglobin level may indicate anemia, and its cause (iron deficiency, blood loss, chronic disease, etc.) needs to be determined by further testing. Hemoglobin level can also drop after increased fluid intake. Hemoglobin concentration reference values depend on age and sex: lower for children than for adults and lower for women (118-150 g/l) than for men (136-163 g/l).
A change in erythrocyte count may indicate a variety of conditions and chronic diseases. In case of anemia, erythrocyte count decreases. Erythrocyte count can increase as the result of dehydration or being in an oxygen-poor environment (for instance, at high altitudes).
Total leukocyte count indicates the likelihood of an inflammatory state (high values), body fatigue and exhaustion (low values), a malignant disease, etc. Leukocyte count can increase after physical exertion.
Thrombocytes influence blood clotting. If their number is low, bleeding may occur easier than normal. If their number is significantly higher than the reference value, there is an increased risk of a blood clot. Unless there are other complaints, slight deviations in the number of thrombocytes may occur in healthy people.
The complete blood count test is normally performed as a part of a health examination package, but it can be done separately if necessary.
It is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations before a blood test so that blood samples are usable. The blood samples for the tests within the fitness athlete’s package should be collected in the morning between 9:30 and 11:00 without eating or drinking before.
In case any deviations are discovered, additional tests can be run. The necessity for additional tests depends on the person’s age, current or past conditions, physical activity, etc.
Laboratory doctors and SEM doctors recommend undertaking the fitness athlete’s package of tests once a year.