Factors that can affect the accuracy of your blood test results (2023)

According to the World Health Organization, chronic diseases kill millions of people every year.

Diabetes alone was responsible for almost 1.6 million deaths in 2015. Deaths from neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia have doubled since 2000 and this number is expected to increase in the coming years.

While these are alarming facts, you may be pleased to learn that many illnesses and injuries, especially chronic illnesses, are preventable.

In order to prevent a disease, one must first be aware of it.

To be aware of this, you need to do the right thing and monitor your health regularly.

Discovering a predisposition to the disease earlier offers a great advantage. You can carry out special treatments and minimize or eliminate your risks.

But how to get tested for different diseases that can affect you?

Well, one of the easiest and most efficient ways is to use direct-to-consumer labs. These are usuallyWork hardYou can buy it online at affordable prices and check your overall health within a few days. A visit to the doctor is not necessary, so that you, as an informed patient, can quickly check your blood values ​​and monitor your state of health.

However, you should be aware that there are many factors that can affect the results of your lab tests. That said, these factors can reduce the accuracy of your results, so you should follow your doctor's guidelines before drawing blood samples for testing.

This article will give you a more complete understanding of the factors affecting laboratory testing. Read on to learn more about your health and how you can optimize the results of your lab tests.

1. Biotin

Biotin is also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H. This is a coenzyme that the body needs for various metabolic processes. For example, the body needs biotin to optimize the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

At the same time, biotin is also necessary for the production of certain hormones. You can find biotin in fish, eggs, meat, and certain vegetables like spinach and broccoli. However, you can also take biotin supplements if needed.

Adults need about 30 micrograms of biotin per day. Having more biotin in your system isn't a problem, but it might affect some lab tests you run. For example, it can affect the results of certain blood tests, which can lead to misdiagnoses of various health problems.

Biotin Uses and Supplements

As mentioned above, biotin is found in various pills and supplements that you can buy online. For example, biotin can be used to treat alopecia, a medical condition that causes people to lose their hair. Doctors prescribe a dose of 5,000 to 10,000 micrograms of biotin per day to treat these health problems.

At the same time, biotin can also be prescribed to pregnant women to support the healthy development of the baby. There are studies conducted by researchers from various universities prescribing large doses of biotin to treat various nervous system problems.

For example, multiple sclerosis can be treated with about 300,000 micrograms of biotin per day. Some people also use biotin to treat nail and skin problems, as no studies suggest that taking large amounts of biotin can lead to any health complications or injuries.

How biotin affects test results

While biotin supplementation can be beneficial to the body, biotin can severely affect test results. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has mentioned that biotin can alter blood test results and lead to the misdiagnosis of certain health conditions.

It is recommended to stop biotin supplementation at least 72 hours before providing a blood or saliva sample.

Which laboratory tests can be affected by biotin supplementation?

There are many blood tests that can be affected by too much biotin in the bloodstream. Some of these tests include vitamin D tests, any test that measures the thyroid hormones in your body, and tests that look at the hormones FSH and LH.

Troponin is another type of test that is commonly used to diagnose heart attacks and other problems related to the cardiovascular system. If you plan to have these blood tests in the future, be sure to stop biotin supplementation to ensure accurate results.

Which dietary supplements contain biotin?

In addition to obtaining biotin from food, this substance can also be obtained from various over-the-counter vitamins or supplements.

For example, most multivitamin, B-complex, and Coenzyme-R pills contain large amounts of biotin. Similarly, vitamin H supplements and prenatal vitamins may also contain biotin.

If you're taking some supplements for hair growth and skin improvement, chances are you're getting some biotin from them as well. Look at the labels of the supplements you are taking and look for "biotin", "vitamin B7", "vitamin H" or "coenzyme R" to determine if your pills contain biotin.

If you were told to stop taking biotin supplements a few days before your blood test but you forgot to do so, be sure to tell your doctor. Your healthcare professional needs to know that in this case your results will show inaccurate or misleading results.

2. Alter

The advanced age of a patient also has a significant influence on the results of a specific blood test.

In most cases, older people tend to get a higher percentage of incorrect/inaccurate results compared to younger adults. This is because certain hormones and substances in the body are interpreted differently in laboratory tests because their levels rise or fall with age.

To give an exact example,a range of lipidsof an older person differs greatly from that of a young person. Triglyceride, good cholesterol, and bad cholesterol levels tend to increase with age, up to about 55-60 years for men and about 65 years for women. Some studies show that triglyceride levels continue to rise in older women.

In this case, doctors no longer use age-based reference values ​​because they are not effective in older people. Instead, they estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease and formulate treatment options based on this, because this method is much more efficient.

At the same time, there are blood tests that measure thisProstate Specific Antigen (PSA)levels in men. PSA levels can rise in older people as more PSA enters the bloodstream and affects test results.

3. Urinary Tract Infection

Another factor that can affect the results of a PSA test is urinary tract infections. Various urinary tract bacteria can drastically alter test results and lead to inaccurate diagnoses.

Because of this, it's a good idea to let your doctor know if you've had a UTI so they can make a more accurate diagnosis by testing your PSA levels.

4. Prostate procedure

People who have had prostate surgery are more likely to be misdiagnosed if they undergo prostate testing.

For example, prostate surgery or biopsy and prostatitis can cause abnormal levels of PSA in the body. These factors can affect test results and lead to misdiagnosis. Finally, the doctor will let you know when is a good time to have a prostate test after surgery or a prostate biopsy.

5. Cycling

Some studies have found that riding a bike can put a lot of pressure on the prostate, which can increase PSA levels. Therefore, prostate exam results can come back with incorrect information, leading to an incorrect diagnosis.

Another thing that can increase PSA levels is ejaculation, as it allows more PSA to enter the bloodstream and affect test results.

6. Obesity or high body weight

Obesity is another health problem that affects the results of various blood tests.

For example, obese men have higher BMI and generally lower PSA levels. Because obese men often have a higher blood volume in which the PSA can be diluted. As a result, a prostate test can provide inaccurate PSA results that affect the doctor's diagnosis.

Likewise, obesity can also affect the resultsTesting for rheumatoid arthritis. During these tests, various inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) andblood sedimentation rate (ESR)are checked to see the extent of inflammation in the body.

Some studies show that obese people tend to have higher levels of ESR and CRP in their bodies, which can affect results and lead to incorrect diagnoses.

Buy a PCR test here

Another blood test that can be affected by body weight is creatinine (to assess kidney function). The result of this test may be artificially increased in people with higher body weight or lean body mass.Cystatin Cit may be a better indicator of kidney function in these patients.

7. Medication

Any medications you take before a blood test can significantly affect the results.

Be sure to tell your doctor about the pills you are taking so that they can take this into account when interpreting the results. If possible, you should stop certain medications (after getting your doctor's approval) to ensure your blood tests are more accurate.

There are many types of medications that can affect blood test results, including those for the prostate, those for inflammation, etc.

For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can affect the results of a blood test. Other important ones are blood pressure medications known as thiazide diuretics. Some of the more common drugs in this category are hydrochlorothiazide, chlorothiazide, and others.

These drugs tend to lower PSA levels and misdiagnose prostate blood tests. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors also affect PSA levels. These inhibitors are represented by dutasteride and finasteride, which also reduce PSA levels by almost 50%.

Metformin, a popular diabetes drug that's gaining anti-aging interest, may lower blood levels of the B vitamin. This fact should be considered when testing for B-12 or other vitamins.

8. Biological rhythms

Different hormones and other substances in the body have significantly different levels at certain times of the day.

For example, you have different cortisol or testosterone levels in the morning than at night. Because of this, it is important to run specific tests at specific times of the day to ensure the accuracy of the test. Your doctor will usually let you know and tell you when is the best time to have a blood test.

testosterone levels in the bloodearly morning, usually between 7am and 9am. A testosterone blood test should be taken at this time of day. Testosterone levels slowly decrease during the day and are about twice as high at night as in the morning.

The same story applies toCortisolspiegelAlso. Cortisol levels in your body peak early in the morning and gradually drop from 50% to 100% by the end of the day.

The time of the month or season is also very important for health checks. For example, get moreVitamin-Dof your body depends on the amount of sunlight you are exposed to. You can also get vitamin D supplements if needed, but sun exposure is one of the best and most efficient ways to get vitamin D.

The levels of this vitamin in the bloodstream must be interpreted according to the season. For example, it is normal for vitamin D levels to be lowest in winter, when sun exposure is limited.

9. Pregnancy

A pregnant woman may also have different test results than a non-pregnant woman. Pregnancy can change the amount of blood in the body, affecting liver hormones, kidney function, and other metabolic processes.

Changes in hormone levels depend on the stage of pregnancy and are usually compared with reference values. Doctors can provide more information to a pregnant woman about how to interpret these results and what to do about them.

10. Food and water

The food you eat and the drinks you drink can affect blood test results. For example, fasting, calorie restriction, or dehydration can lead to false test results and misdiagnosis.

For example, a high-protein diet can cause uric acid levels to rise, which is reflected in various blood and urine tests. Likewise, a low-carb diet can increase ketone levels (ketogenic diet). When a person is vegan or vegetarian, the levels of vitamin B12 in their bloodstream are low.

Some studies have shown that carbohydrates can temporarily decrease weighttestosterone levels in the blood, so it is important to measure testosterone before breakfast.

Most blood tests require fasting prior to blood collection. Typically, patients are asked to fast for about 8 to 12 hours before undergoing a blood test. Fasting is important to check lipid levels, blood sugar levels, some hormones and substances in the body.

Do not fast before aCMP heads, for example, can lead to a misdiagnosis of type 2 diabetes because glucose can be elevated, which is a life-threatening condition if not treated properly.

ÖLipid-PanelThe test (triglycerides, LDL and HDL cholesterol) also requires fasting. If you don't, your triglyceride levels may be higher than normal.

For more information on which tests require fasting, see:Fasting blood test: everything you need to know

Dehydration also plays a crucial role in the blood test. You can increase blood test values ​​by lowering the water content in the blood. It can be viewed as an imbalance in sodium and potassium levels and can lead to an incorrect diagnosis. For example, dehydration can affect albumin levels, blood lipid levels, creatinine (kidney), hematocrit, and some hormones in the body.

11. Caffeine, alcohol and tobacco

Drinking too much caffeine from coffee or green tea can also affect the results of some blood tests. Although more studies are needed regarding caffeine, there is a possibility that this substance can alter and temporarily increase blood sugar levels. Caffeine generally passes through the body in about 5 hours, so its effects are less significant compared to other substances. Caffeine can also affect hydration, a factor mentioned above. Last but not least, caffeine can increase blood pressure in some people. The lab technician can be alerted by your blood pressure before taking your blood.

Alcohol, on the other hand, has a greater impact on blood levels, depending on how much and when it is consumed. For example, this substance can lower serum glucose levels in people of all ages and increase plasma lactate. These changes can occur, particularly if alcohol is consumed 2 to 4 hours before blood is drawn for the test.

At the same time, chronic alcohol consumption can lead to other problems, such as B. high triglyceride levels, high creatine kinase levels, increased liver enzymes and increased uric acid. As a result, blood tests can be affected and the doctor can then make an incorrect diagnosis.

Frequent alcohol consumption can also lead to mineral and vitamin deficiencies, particularly depletion of B vitamins. This potential B vitamin deficiency is a worrying problem in chronic alcoholics because B vitamins are responsible for proper brain and nervous system function.

Patients are asked to stop drinking alcohol for at least 24 to 48 hours before blood is drawn for the test. This period should give the body enough time to process the alcohol consumed and prevent blood levels from being affected. However, liver enzymes and triglycerides may not return to baseline in this short period of time.

Another substance of concern is tobacco, which can also have a major impact on blood test results. Those who smoke cigarettes have higher levels of nicotine in their bodies. As you probably know, nicotine is a drug that can increase cortisol levels and fatty acid levels in the blood. It can also measure hematocrit (the ratio of red blood cells, part of thecomplete blood count panel) as the body tries to make more red blood cells to compensate for the lower oxygen levels it is getting from the smoke in the lungs.

As a result, blood tests can provide misleading results. Whether it is acute or chronic smoking, it is harmful to health and can interfere with laboratory tests.

Cigarettes also contain thousands of harmful body chemicals and toxins, including arsenic and cadmium. These can increase inflammatory biomarkers in the blood and show up in blood tests.

12th exercise

Physical activity is one of the most important factors affecting blood test results. Whether you do resistance training, HIIT, yoga, or cycling, this activity can affect some of your blood tests.

For example, after an intense training session, the levels ofCreatine Kinase (CK)in the body are increased. CK can remain elevated for up to a week and is detected by blood tests.

Different types of exercises can also increase or decreasethyroid hormone blood test. For example, anaerobic exercise can increase levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the body. At the same time, anaerobic training can also lower FT3 levels. It is estimated that thyroid hormone levels can be altered for several hours or even several days, depending on the individual and their physical condition.

Marathon runners are also exposed to greatly altered hormone levels before and after a race. For example, glucose, albumin, protein and bilirubin levels were measured 4 hours after the race in professional marathon runners. All those hormones increased.

Studies conducted on professional soccer players who train regularly also show that frequent training can boost immune function. One study looked at white blood cell counts in 31 men who did not exercise at all and 32 men who played football for a year.

White blood cell counts were significantly higher in soccer players, leading to the conclusion that regular exercise can improve a person's immune response.

Another study conducted with marathon runners found that running regularly for an extended period of time can lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a well-known marker of inflammation. However, excessive running can increase CRP andother inflammatory markers.

When doctors do an inflammation panel, the first thing they look at is CRP levels. They want to determine whether the inflammation in the body is chronic or acute. Lower CRP levels, like in marathon runners, help them prevent chronic inflammatory diseases.

On the other hand, some marathon runners also had elevated PSA levels after a marathon. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen and is a marker for prostate disease. 2 out of 21 marathon runners had elevated PSA levels after a marathon, which could indicate a problem with prostate tissue. This could be a misdiagnosis, however, as vigorous exercise tends to raise PSA levels in certain people.

For this reason, doctors recommend double prostate tests when exercise increases PSA levels. At the same time, one should wait at least 24 hours after exercise to have a prostate exam done for a more accurate diagnosis.

Last but not least,Weight lifting has been shown to produce significant increases in liver function tests.in healthy men used to moderate physical activity, excluding weight lifting. Liver function tests are significantly elevated for at least 7 days after weight lifting. It is important to place appropriate restrictions on heavy muscle training before and during clinical trials.

Check your health today!

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