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In the field of healthcare, blood test functions as a crucial tool to identify health concerns and track underlying conditions. Blood tests are like a ‘glimpse’ into the functioning of our bodies, and can provide essential information about your overall health to help make informed decisions. However, various factors can impact the accuracy of test results, but perhaps stress is one of the most significant among them.
Stress can come from job related pressure, or family and personal issues; and the influence of stress extend far beyond just mental anguish. Stress can have a serious impact on both our physical health and well-being. This is why understanding the intricate link between stress and our physiological functions is important for anyone getting a blood test.
Understanding Stress Response
Stress is basically a physiological and psychological response to a perceived challenge or threat. When a person encounters a stressful situation, the body responds instinctively by triggering a cascade of biological processes referred to as the ‘stress response’.
The way your body responds to stress involves a sophisticated and complex series of actions, mainly governed bythe nervous and endocrine systems. This stress response is developed to assist humans inswiftly responding to threats or danger to ensure survival.
When our bodies experience stressors, the hypothalamus signals your adrenal glands to release stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This results in a cascade of physiological changes, including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and increased energy supplies. All these occur to prepare the body for immediate action – the “fight or flight” response. Stress affects many different systems in your body, with the nervous system and the endocrine system particularly involved.
Specific Blood Tests Results Affected by Stress
Cortisol Levels
Increased levels of cortisol are one of the more direct responses to stress. Blood tests that measure cortisol can determine whether one is facing acute or chronic stress. Sustained high levels of cortisol can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, weight gain, and increased risk of diabetes.
Glucose Levels
Stress may have a substantial impact on blood sugar levels. Whenever the body is experiencing stress, cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis – a process in which glucose is produced from non-carbohydrate fuel sources, which can lead to higher blood sugar levels.
Stress is particularly concerning for individuals diagnosed with diabetes. The stress response creates havoc in blood sugar levels that can lead to inconsistent readings which may not necessarily reflect a person’s ‘normal’ metabolic state. Even in non-diabetic individuals, elevated blood sugar levels during stressful situations may indicate a potential issue with metabolism that should probably be further evaluated.
Full Blood Count (FBC)
A Full Blood Count (FBC) can also demonstrate the effects of stress. Stress can alter white blood cell counts, which provide a representation of the immune system. Increased white blood cells may suggest an acute response of the body to stress or an increased state of inflammation. On the other hand, chronic stress can sometimes suppress the production of white blood cells, which would leave an individual more susceptible to the development of infections.
Lipid Profile
Increases in stress can affect lipid profiles that include both cholesterol and triglycerides. Increased lipid levels are also associated with higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Stressful times can lead to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol. Many individuals experience significant changes in lipid profiles in relation to stress levels, and this should be considered when looking at cardiovascular risk and overall health.
How Stress Affects Blood Levels
Stress Hormones and Physiological Changes
The stress hormones, often represented by cortisol and adrenaline, elicit a series of physiological changes that can cause changes to bodily function and also blood test results. Stress can impact the extraction and processing of blood samples, influenced by physiological changes like increased heart rate and blood pressure. There are also metabolic effects of these hormones that affect the concentration of substances in the blood. For this reason, a thorough understanding of the stress levels of a given patient is necessary when interpreting laboratory results.
Effects on Immune Function and Inflammatory Biomarkers
Chronic stress impacts the immune system, causing elevations in inflammatory processes and changes in biomarkers of immune activity. Inflammation is a response to stress that can be detected through various blood tests assessing cytokine levels and other inflammatory biomarkers. It is important for healthcare providers to understand how these biological changes influence blood test assessments when diagnosing and treating health issues related to stress.
With some understanding of the scientific correlations between stress and blood test outcomes, an individual can gain critical insights into the importance of their stress on their overall health. This provides empowerment for patients to initiate actionable change in managing stress; therefore, providing healthcare providers with more accurate assessments and impacting a patient’s health trajectory.
Strategies to Reduce Stress Related to Blood Tests
Getting ready for a blood test is no doubt a stressful and anxious situation for many individuals. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to alleviate stress and increase the likelihood of accurate test results before, during, and after blood tests.
Incorporating relaxation strategies into your blood testing routine has been shown to significantly decrease your stress levels. Consider the following:
- Deep Breathing Exercises: Take a deep breath in through your nose and expand your abdomen, then let the breath out through your mouth. This will help calm your nervous system and help you relax.
- Meditation and Mindfulness: Practising mindfulness meditation can help to ground your thoughts and diminish anxiety.
- Gentle physical activity: Even light exercise, like stretching or a short walk, can release endorphins and relieve stress.
Plus, prioritising sleep and nutrition can help you start in a more calm and composed state of mind before you undergo your blood test.
- Adequate Sleep: Aim for quality sleep for 7 to 9 hours the night before your blood test. Sleep assists in regulating the body’s stress hormones, making it easier to cope with pre-test anxiety.
- Nutritious food: Eating nutritious food prior to your test will help to stabilise your blood sugar levels and improve your mood. Focus on whole foods including vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins to properly fuel your body.
Besides, speaking openly with your healthcare provider is an important part of optimising your experience with the blood test and understanding the impact of stress on your health.
Final Thoughts
It is important to understand the link between stress and blood test results for achieving optimal health outcomes. Knowing how stress may affect your body and your blood levels allows you to make informed decisions about effective stress management.
Prioritising mental health is important for overall wellbeing. Investing time in proactively managing stress can improve your physical health, including the reliability of your laboratory blood test results.
At Health Screening Clinic, we encourage people to practice their stress management techniques on a routine basis and to communicate openly with their healthcare professionals about stress. Ultimately, these approaches will help you improve your mental health and overall physical health for more reliable diagnoses and a better experience in healthcare.
Book Your Appointment Today
If you are planning to get a blood test or full body check-up in London, or want to seek support from a healthcare professional on dealing with stress, contact Health Screening Clinic today on 02071833570.
