How do you know if your blood is healthy?
Here are some signs that your blood may be healthy:
- Red blood cell count within the normal range. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. A healthy red blood cell count is between 4.35 and 5.65 million cells per microliter for men and 3.92 and 5.13 million cells per microliter for women.
- White blood cell count within the normal range. White blood cells fight infection. A healthy white blood cell count is between 3,500 and 10,500 cells per microliter.
- Platelet count within the normal range. Platelets help stop bleeding. A healthy platelet count is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter.
- Normal levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in your blood. Healthy hemoglobin levels are between 13.5 and 17.5 grams per deciliter for men and 12.0 and 15.5 grams per deciliter for women. Healthy hematocrit levels are between 40% and 54% for men and 36% and 48% for women.
- Normal cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that can build up in your arteries and lead to heart disease. Healthy cholesterol levels are total cholesterol less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol greater than 40 mg/dL for men and greater than 50 mg/dL for women, and triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL.
- Normal blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries. Healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
If you have any of the following signs, you should talk to your doctor about whether you need a blood test:
- Unexplained fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Pale skin
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
A blood test can help to diagnose a variety of health conditions, including:
- Anemia
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Sickle cell disease
- Thalassemia
- HIV/AIDS
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
A blood test can also be used to monitor your health and track your progress if you have a chronic condition, such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Thyroid disease
If you are concerned about your blood health, talk to your doctor. They can recommend the best blood tests for you and help you interpret your results.