Blood Tests Provide Window Into Health
Torrance Memorial labs make the important but simple process even easier.
Every year, thousands of South Bay residents roll up their sleeves at a Torrance Memorial Laboratory Draw Station for routine blood tests. This simple procedure can offer a window into one’s health, detecting silent threats before they manifest into serious illness.
Patients can now schedule blood draw appointments conveniently from their phone or computer. In early February, Torrance Memorial Laboratory—the first in the nation to receive Leading Laboratories recognition from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and The Joint Commission—launched online lab appointment scheduling.
“The patient experience has improved in a very short period of time,” says Ihab Abumuhor, director of Torrance Memorial Health’s pathology and clinical laboratory. Prior to its launch, the lab handled between 7,500 and 8,000 calls each month. “The online scheduling system is going to reduce phone wait times and allow staff to better serve patients.”
Abumuhor also anticipates fewer missed appointments with confirmation and reminder messages. The lab, which performs 15 million tests annually, delivers most results within 24 to 48 hours. This, says Abumuhor, enables doctors to expedite treatment for any critical results.
Blood tests, often performed as part of an annual physical, can reveal a wealth of information. The most common blood tests are complete blood count (CBC), which measures different components of blood to check for conditions like anemia, infections and overall health status; comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), which assesses kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance and blood sugar levels; and lipid panels, which help determine cardiovascular risk by measuring cholesterol and triglycerides.
“Blood work is an essential component of preventive medicine,” says Maria Vollucci, DO, a family practice specialist at Torrance Memorial Physician Network. “It allows us to monitor key markers of health, from cholesterol levels to kidney function, and detect early signs of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and possibly cancer.”
For older adults, these insights are particularly crucial. Research has shown conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid disorders become more prevalent with age. Annual screenings offer an opportunity for early intervention, which can significantly improve outcomes.
Interpreting blood test results, however, can be challenging, and there are limitations for those that denote normal ranges. Most of the results, says Abumuhor, include interpretative data to help both the patient and their physician understand them. He says results should always be interpreted in the context of a patient’s overall health and medical history.
“The physician always interprets the results with the clinical picture of the patient and puts that into perspective,” says Abumuhor. “If the clinical picture doesn’t match the lab results, then they may call for additional testing.”
Many variables should be considered when the test results fall within normal ranges. Normal values are based on population averages, but individual baselines can differ. The reference range typically covers 95% of healthy individuals, meaning 5% of healthy individuals may have results outside the normal range, and some with conditions may still fall within it.
A single blood test only shows a snapshot of one’s health, whereas multiple tests reflecting a trend can tell a more complete picture. Stress, diet, hydration levels, certain medications, over-the-counter vitamins or even a recent illness can result in false positives or negatives. Some diseases, such as early-stage cancer, might not show up in standard blood tests, while other conditions require a combination of clinical symptoms, imaging and lifestyle assessments to confirm, rather than lab results alone.
Abumuhor noted, however, that the No. 1 factor impacting the results is what occurs before the specimen arrives at the lab and includes its storage, preparation and transportation. “There will always be some variability, but the most critical factor is how specimens are handled during the preanalytical phase,” he says.
Despite the importance, many Americans forgo regular blood work—often because of a lack of symptoms. Experts stress that waiting until something feels wrong can be costly.
“By the time symptoms appear, a condition may have already progressed,” Dr. Vollucci says. “Blood tests give us a chance to act early.”
And while no single test can provide a complete picture of health, annual blood screenings remain one of the most powerful tools in preventive care. In an age where medicine continues to advance, the ability to identify and mitigate health risks early is more accessible than ever. All it takes is rolling up your sleeve.
