The pre-op (surgery) blood test comprises the top three tests commonly ordered before an individual has surgery. Pre-operative testing is usually done during the few weeks leading up to the surgery date. A patient is required to do this type of testing to give rise to potential complications and analyze overall health.
Each surgery is different as such testing requirements may differ. For this reason, it is always important to discuss the required testing with the physician or surgeon before having bloodwork performed.
Tests included in the pre-op testing panel include:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Gives important information about the numbers and kinds of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps your health professional check any symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, or bruising, that you may have. A CBC also helps your health professional diagnose conditions like infection, anemia, and several other disorders. Test includes: WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelets, Neutrophils, Lymphs, Monocytes, Eos, Basos, Neutrophils (Absolute), Lymphs (Absolute), Monocytes(Absolute), Eos (Absolute), Basos (Absolute), Immature Granulocytes, Immature Grans (Abs)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose-Blood sugar level, the most direct test to diagnose diabetes, may be used to identify diabetes and evaluate how one controls the disease.
- Kidney Profile
- Bun or Urea Nitrogen - A by-product of protein metabolism eliminated through the kidneys, BUN is an indicator of kidney function.
- Creatinine, Serum - Indicates kidney function.
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio - Calculated by dividing the BUN by the creatinine. Glomerular Filtration (eGFR) - Provides an assessment of the kidney's filtering capacity.
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Sodium - Important in the body's water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles and one of the major salts in body fluid.
- Potassium - Helps to control the muscles and nerves.
- Chloride - Similar to sodium, chloride helps maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide - Total used to detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
- Calcium - A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy teeth and bones. It is also essential for the normal function of nerves, muscles, and blood clotting.
- Liver panel
- Protein, Total - A measure of the state of nutrition in the body together with albumin.
- Albumin Serum - A major protein in the blood and reflects the general state of nutrition.
- Globulin, Total - A major group of proteins in the blood that comprises the infection-fighting antibodies.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio - Calculated by dividing the albumin by the globulin.
- Bilirubin, Total - A chemical that is involved with liver functions. High concentrations of bilirubin may result in jaundice.
- Alkaline Phosphatase - A body protein important in diagnosing proper bone and liver functions.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) - An enzyme found in skeletal and heart muscle, liver, and other organs. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) - An enzyme that is found primarily in the liver. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
Prothrombin Time (PT INR) and Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
The PT and PTT Blood Tests are useful in diagnosing excessive, unexplained bleeding in patients who are not taking blood-thinning medications. These bleeding disorders include conditions such as nosebleeds, bruising, heavy menstrual periods, blood in the stool and/or urine, and bleeding gums, among others. The tests are sometimes ordered for patients before surgery to ensure normal clotting ability.
