Blood Test Abbreviations

If you have ever had blood work done you may have noticed the blood test abbreviations that are found on many of the lab work forms. These abbreviations are used to identify specific tests that are to be completed on your drawn blood samples. 

Types of Blood Tests

There are a plethora of blood tests that are noted by their abbreviations. Testing the blood is one of the main ways to identify possible medical conditions and problems. It is often the most effective way and many people choose to have a blood test for confirmation of medical conditions, even if there are other ways to validate the condition.

There are many diseases that can be identified by a blood test. For example, if you are concerned that you have a possible thyroid problem, your physician will order that you receive testing for thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH). Likewise, if you are getting a yearly physical examination, your physician may order a full blood count (FBC) testing on your blood samples in order to screen your health for a number of disorders such as anemia.

Common Blood Test Abbreviations

• ALT-Alanine Transaminase (part of liver function test)
• AST-Alanine aminotransferase (part of liver function test)
• BAC-Blood Alcohol Concentration
• BMP-Basic Metabolic Panel (a group of tests)
• BUN-Blood Urea Nitrogen (part of kidney function test)
• CBC-Complete Blood Count (test red and white blood cells)
• CK-Creatine phosphokinase (test for muscle damage)
• ESR-Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (tests for inflammation)
• HDL/LDL-High Density Lipoproteins/High Density Lipoproteins (testing for good and bad cholesterol)
• INR-International Normalized Ratio (blood clotting test)
• K-Potassium (test for potassium levels)
• PCOS -Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• PSA-Prostate Specific Antigen (Prostate Cancer test)
• Trig-Triglygerides (part of cholesterol test)
• TSH-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (one of the main tests of a thyroid test)

The Importance of Blood Test Abbreviations

Blood test abbreviations are very important. When you undergo any form of blood testing, it is vital that the correct tests are performed on the blood samples that are collected. You can look at the lab paperwork that a physician provides in order to determine which types of tests should be performed.

Sometimes mistakes are made where the wrong test is performed on the blood samples. This happens because someone selected the wrong abbreviation for a test or the technician performing the blood draw labeled the blood work with the wrong blood test abbreviations. Unfortunately, when the abbreviations are not correct, this results in a delay in test results as you will more than likely need to have another blood draw in order to have the correct blood test performed.

There are a number of abbreviations for blood testing that are very similar yet the tests are for completely different diagnostic testing. Thus, it is very important that the correct blood test abbreviations are selected when prepping paperwork for blood work.