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Blood Panels Specialist

Portland Wellness Center

Addiction Treatment Center located in Portland, TN & Harriman, TN

A blood panel is a standard test that provides information about your health and body function. At Portland Wellness Center in Portland and Harriman, Tennessee, Verna Bain, MD, and her team use blood panels to develop a comprehensive understanding of your wellness and to identify any hormonal imbalances or vitamin deficiencies that are disrupting your well-being. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or are having a routine annual exam, a blood panel provides critical information that helps Dr. Bain create a treatment plan to optimize your health. Schedule an appointment today by calling Portland Wellness Center or booking online.

Blood Panels Q & A

What is a blood panel?

A blood panel is a comprehensive blood test. At Portland Wellness Center, Dr. Bain and her team use both basic metabolic panels and comprehensive metabolic blood panels. The blood panels test your blood, measuring chemicals and other factors such as:

  • Glucose
  • Cholesterol
  • Calcium
  • Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium
  • Creatine and blood urea nitrogen
  • Albumin and total proteins
  • Alkaline phosphates and other liver function tests

Your doctor can order additional tests along with a basic or comprehensive metabolic blood panel to check the function of your thyroid and other hormone-producing glands to identify any hormonal imbalances.

Why would my doctor order a blood panel?

A blood panel is a powerful diagnostic tool that provides Dr. Bain and her team with many details about your health. They may order a blood panel as part of your routine annual exam. For example, many people who have diabetes or prediabetes may not have noticeable symptoms. The glucose test in a blood panel can reveal elevated blood sugar levels, so you can adjust your lifestyle and start treatment before you develop problematic symptoms.

Additionally, if you live with low energy levels, have experienced unexplained weight gain or loss, or just don’t feel yourself, a blood panel can show your doctor what’s going on in your body to help her diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan to improve your well-being.

What should I expect during a blood panel?

A blood panel is a quick test. You go to a lab and a technician draws one or more vials of blood, depending on the extent of the testing Dr. Bain orders. The tech uses a small needle, and the test shouldn’t be painful. In most cases, the results of your blood panel are available in seven days or less.

Dr. Bain may ask you to have your blood panel before your appointment, or she may suggest a blood panel after your initial appointment so she can collect more information about what could be causing your symptoms.

What does the doctor do with my blood panel results?

When Dr. Bain receives the results of your blood panel, she reviews them, checking for signs of abnormality or impaired body function. For example, if she discovers that you have elevated glucose levels, she’ll suggest adjustments to your diet and exercise habits to try to regulate your blood sugar naturally, or she may prescribe medication. Similarly, if she finds a vitamin deficiency, she may also suggest IV therapy to replenish your body.

If you’re due for an annual exam or haven’t been feeling well, call Portland Wellness Center or make an appointment online today.