Biochemical blood test during pregnancy: how to donate, decoding the results

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Any mother-to-be should have a large number of tests throughout her pregnancy. Biochemical analysis of blood is no exception. All these diagnostic studies are necessary to monitor the condition of the female body, as well as the developing fetus. Any pathologies that may develop during this important period must be identified in time and then cured.

Biochemical blood test during pregnancy occupies a special place among the variety of different examinations of the expectant mother. But what does he represent? How to take a biochemical blood test during pregnancy? What is it for? This is worth looking into in more detail.

What is research being done for?

Speaking about why a biochemical blood test is done during pregnancy, we note that this is necessary in order to evaluate the work of virtually every organ and system in the body of a future mother. Deciphering this analysis to a specialist gives an idea of the functions of important organs, for example,kidneys, liver, pancreas and many others.

In addition, with the help of a biochemical blood test during pregnancy, you can identify the lack of certain trace elements in the body, such as potassium, iron, sodium and others.

What is metabolism?

During the decoding of the analysis, one can often find such expressions among specialists as "carbohydrate" and "lipid" metabolism.

In short, this process is explained as follows: between cells and tissues, as well as other structures of the human body, there is a constant exchange of building, nutritious and other substances necessary for their normal functioning. They can be produced in the human body, as well as enter it from the outside, for example, during meals.

All these necessary elements and substances are transported by the blood. It is for this reason that a biochemical blood test is done in women, which reveals an excess or deficiency of certain metabolic products.

Please note that during pregnancy, the metabolism changes, as now the mother's body needs to provide both her own needs and the growing fetus.

What is being investigated?

There are many different indicators that characterize almost all types of metabolism in a woman's body. But in the case of a normal pregnancy, only a few varieties are investigated. These should include:

1. Proteinogram, or proteinexchange.
2. Lipidogram, or lipid metabolism.
3. Carbohydrate metabolism.
4. Nitrogen exchange.
5. Pigment exchange.
6. Electrolyte balance.
7. Enzymes.
8. Determination of the amount of trace elements.

We will get to know these varieties in more detail later. This list may be longer in the case of some existing diseases in a pregnant woman. You should also pay attention to the fact that the norms of a biochemical blood test during pregnancy are approximate. This will depend on the test method and the laboratory where the analysis was performed.

Pregnancy also makes its own adjustments to almost all types of exchange, and this may also affect the norm. In order not to get a bad biochemical blood test during pregnancy, you need to pass it correctly.

Analysis

Biochemical analysis is given only on an empty stomach, and early in the morning. You should pay attention to the fact that the meal must be finished approximately 8 hours before donating blood. It is best to stop eating 12 hours before going to the laboratory. One day before the examination, you should also stop eating sweet and fatty foods. Only in this way can we hope to obtain the correct results of a biochemical blood test. For the study, blood is collected from a vein.

When to donate blood?

Throughout pregnancy, this analysis is carried out, as a rule, two or three times. The first time it's done on the firsttrimester, when the initial examination of the pregnant woman is carried out. After that, blood is taken for testing in the middle of the second trimester, and then in the middle of the third. If any pathology of pregnancy appears, as well as in the event of an exacerbation of a chronic disease in a woman, this study should be carried out more often. Indications for the implementation of this analysis in all cases should be determined only by the attending physician.

Protein metabolism

Proteins are a very important component in the blood. This element takes an active part in all reactions of the immune system, transfers various nutrients, hormones, and other substances to the tissues and organs of the body. Under laboratory conditions, the norm of protein in the blood during pregnancy is determined - the total amount of all fractions in the blood.

What are protein fractions? Protein fractions should include albumin, during pregnancy, which must be detected without fail. Fractions also include globulin. Albumin and globulin during pregnancy in the blood are detected during a biochemical analysis. These elements have different structure as well as different functions.

Determination of these protein fractions during pregnancy allows you to more accurately identify and evaluate possible violations in the functioning of the structures of the female body.

Blood protein

On average, the rate of protein in the blood should be 62-82 g / l. As for pregnant women, in the last trimester and after the birth of a baby during breastfeeding, its number decreases to about 55. This conditiondue to an increase in the total volume of plasma circulating in the body during this period. The most significant decrease in protein levels is associated with starvation or malnutrition, with the development of toxicosis or other pathological conditions during pregnancy.

Increased protein occurs in case of dehydration of the body, as well as in some diseases of the internal organs.

Lipid metabolism

The main function of fats in the body is to provide it with the necessary energy. During the study of lipid or fat metabolism, several indicators are determined: triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, fatty acids.

In practice, most often only the level of cholesterol is determined, and in some cases its fraction. Even more rarely, specialists require the detection of triglyceride concentrations.

Carbohydrate metabolism

The main participants in carbohydrate metabolism in absolutely any organism are insulin and glucose. Insulin is formed by the cells of the pancreas, being the main element for the breakdown of glucose. Usually, the need to determine the concentration of insulin is extremely rare, and this is due to the presence of any pathological conditions, such as diabetes mellitus.

The norm of blood sugar during pregnancy should be from 3.3 to 5.6 mmol / l. However, it should be noted that during pregnancy, the indicator may decrease slightly due to the large energy requirements of the growing fetus.

Nitrogen exchange

The amount of nitrogenous substances in the blood mainly characterizes the work of the kidneys. These include: ammonia, creatinine, urea, uric acid, creatine. In fact, they are the final products of the metabolic process, most often protein. In the case of a normal pregnancy, it is usually sufficient to study the level of urea and creatinine.

The amount of creatinine will characterize the filtration excretory work of the kidneys, as well as the state of the skeletal muscle. Normally, the indicator should be 54-96 mmol / l. Creatinine levels tend to decrease in pregnant women, especially in the second trimester and postpartum.

As for the norm of urea, it is 2, 2-6, 8 mmol / l. This indicator will decrease during labor activity.

Increased levels of urea in the blood, as well as creatinine will indicate the development of kidney pathology, as well as possible kidney failure. The reduced rate does not really matter.

Pigment metabolism and bilirubin

In the body of a he althy person, the so-called old blood elements are constantly decomposing, where erythrocytes should also be attributed. During this, hemoglobin, which is part of their composition, is released. During further utilization, a special pigment is formed in the spleen, which is called free, or indirect bilirubin. With the help of a special protein, it moves to the liver, where it binds to glucuronic acid. Thus, bound or direct bilirubin is formed. He comes frombile directly into the intestinal lumen.

Total bilirubin is normal in women during pregnancy is from 3.5 to 17.3 mmol/L.

Enzymes

Absolutely all biochemical processes in the human body are carried out with the direct participation of enzymes that regulate quality and speed. Almost all enzymes have a protein composition. There are about a hundred of these enzymes in the human body. But some of them are of particular paramount importance. It is their number that experts determine with the help of a biochemical blood test.

ALT and AST

ALT, or alanine aminotransferase, is a cellular enzyme that takes part in a large number of metabolic processes in the body. Most of it is located in the kidneys and liver. That is why a change in the concentration of alanine aminotransferase will serve as an indicator of any violation. The normal rate is up to 40 units per liter.

AST, or aspartate aminotransferase, is found in the greatest amount in the tissues of the heart, in the liver, kidneys and nervous system. An increased concentration of this enzyme is a signal of dysfunction of these organs. In the normal state, the amount of AST should be no more than 30 units per liter for the fair sex during pregnancy.

The norms of AST and ALT, subject to a normal pregnancy, should not change. An elevated level in pregnant women occurs in the event of the development of any pathology, inin particular, gestosis. A multiple increase in the norm in pregnant women indicates the development of liver failure.

Alkaline Phosphatase

It is detected in almost all tissues and cells of the human body. The greatest amount is concentrated in bone tissues, as well as in the tissues of the kidneys and liver, in the inner lining of the intestine and in the tissues of the placenta. Normally, the amount should be up to 230 units. An increase in this indicator in the blood is observed in the case of pathology of the liver and bones, as well as in preeclampsia.

In expectant mothers, the amount often increases, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy. When a pathological condition appears during pregnancy, it is sometimes necessary to determine other enzymes.

Micronutrients

This should include chemical elements that are contained in the human body in small quantities, but at the same time they play an important role in almost every biochemical reaction. With the help of timely diagnosis of excess or deficiency of these elements, it is possible to correct their quantity in the blood.

Sodium

The main function of sodium is to distribute the water content in tissues and organs. In addition, it is involved in the mechanisms of the muscles and nervous system, which is why a decrease in sodium levels in the body can cause muscle weakness, as well as some neurological disorders. The norm of the amount of sodium should be about 140. In the last trimester of pregnancy, its concentrationmay increase slightly. A significant increase in the number is observed with dehydration, and a decrease with uncontrolled intake of diuretics.

Potassium

This element is contained directly inside the cells. Potassium is involved in various metabolic processes, and also affects the functioning of the heart and muscle contraction. In addition, it is involved in the immune response, is a very important component of nerve cells. In the case of a reduced content of this element, a woman may have irregularities regarding the heart rhythm, and weakness in the muscles will also appear. Normally, the potassium content should be from 3.6 to 5.7. In a pregnant woman, this element often increases before childbirth.

Calcium

This element is mainly located in the bones. Potassium is extremely important for the human body. He takes an active part in the work of muscle fibers, and also participates in the process of blood clotting and the regulation of the production of enzymes and hormones. The rate of calcium should be 2, 22-2, 56. In pregnant women, the amount of calcium in the body is often reduced. This is due to the increased consumption of this element for the formation and growth of the baby's bones. With a strong deficiency of this element, calcium-containing preparations recommended by the doctor should be taken.

Iron

Iron is a vital element, and its main function is to participate in the transfer of oxygen to absolutely all structures of the human body. Finethe iron content in the blood should be from 7.3 to 30.5. During pregnancy, a woman's need for iron increases significantly in order to saturate her growing fetus and her own body with oxygen. It is for this reason that expectant mothers often experience iron deficiency anemia, in particular, if this element is not supplied with food in sufficient quantities.

Small conclusion

Finally, it should be said once again about the relative accuracy of the above norms of indicators when conducting a biochemical blood test. It should also be remembered that the final diagnosis is always established only by the attending doctor on the basis of the aggregate data obtained, in which tests are considered only an auxiliary method of diagnostic procedures.