Q. What blood tests could Sheetal have? Select the crosses next to the blood tubes below to find out more about the tests.
Protocols regarding which blood tests are taken can vary. Remember to refer to your local procedures.
For further information on rarer causes of stroke see the Topic Loops below.
Topic Loops:
Q. What blood tests could Sheetal have? Select the crosses next to the blood tubes below to find out more about the tests.
Blood sugar – There are a number of diagnostic criteria for diagnosing diabetes. Random blood sugar is one component of testing for diabetes.
Serum cholesterol – You would carry out this test to establish her baseline and help determine what measures will be required to reduce her risk.
Liver function tests (Bilirubin, ALT, Alk Phos) – Many people would recommend these tests routinely because abnormalities can indicate a rare cause of TIA and also it is useful to have a baseline test before starting statins which sometimes cause liver abnormalities.
Haemoglobin (HbA1c) – Since she is diabetic this test is useful to assess how well controlled her blood sugar has been over recent weeks. HbA1c can be used to help diagnose diabetes.
Urea & electrolytes – you should carry out this test as metabolic problems e.g. low sodium can sometimes mimic a TIA.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – You could carry out this test to exclude rare causes such as bacterial endocarditis, giant cell arteritis or atrial myxoma.
Full blood count (FBC) – You would carry out this test to exclude polycythaemia i.e. high haemoglobin (Hb) or thrombocythaemia i.e. high platelet count which both may cause blood to clot, severe anaemia which may accompany a rare cause of TIA or evidence of infection which may trigger a TIA.
Page last reviewed: 18 Jan 2021
