A biometric blood test is a new movement within corporate wellness policies. It’s a test that only takes about 15 minutes to complete, but can give someone a complete set of standard health results that may be beneficial to their future health. As one major provider of biometric screenings asks, “What if 15 minutes was all it took to save a life?”
The biometric blood test can be taken by either a fingerstick or a venipincture option. These tests are often given at the work site so employees don’t have to lose time to get this testing done. Feedback includes test results, immediate feedback about associated conditions, and other chronic health issues that may be a problem now or could be in the future.
What Is the Purpose of Biometric Blood Testing?
The goal of implementing biometric screenings is to reduce health risks. A natural side effect of this effort is that many people are able to improve their health status and reduce their overall health care costs.
The use of biometric blood testing by an employer isn’t just a way for them to be nice. Companies tend to implement these screenings because they can improve the performance and productivity of their workforce thanks to the individualized results that are received.
This is because biometric screenings allow for an identification of health risks across the entire employee population, as well as at the individual level. With this information, opportunities to improve health can be identified, structural modifications made to assist with this process, and targeted interventions can be created.
What Does the Biometric Blood Test Measure?
People receive a wide variety of test results thanks to the composition of the biometric blood test. This includes a full lipid panel that takes a look at overall cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Blood glucose levels are also examined, including long-term levels thanks to an A1C blood test. Body composition is included, which offers a look at a person’s BMI and their body fat percentage. PSA tests, TSH tests, cotinine tests, and others are also included.
The benefit of biometric blood tests as part of a wellness program are clear. The cost of each individual test for the employee could result in hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in medical bills. This one simple testing process is often part of a benefit package, so the employee is not subjected to the same co-pays and costs. In return, they get the results they need to make better decisions about their health.
This information doesn’t just sit with a wellness program provider or in an employee file at work. It is health information that is also shared with an employee’s doctor so that additional health risks can be identified.
What tests you are given during a biometric blood test will depend on whether or not you’ve been fasting or not. LDL and triglyceride levels require fasting, for example, but total cholesterol, HDL, and glucose levels do not.
What Do My Biometric Blood Test Results Mean?
Biometric blood testing is a comprehensive health risk assessment, so everyone’s results are going to be a little different. In general terms, however, your blood test results will communicate to you what the current status of your health happens to be. Your cholesterol levels, body circumference, body fat percentages, and blood glucose levels are going to be compared to what the medical community considered to be a “normal” or “healthy” result. Based on that comparison, recommendations may be made to begin making lifestyle changes that can help to reduce future risk factors that may lead to a declining rate of health.
It is important to note that a biometric blood test or screening is not designed to actually diagnose a health condition you may have. That is only appropriate for a physician, your local doctor, or a medical professional with the needed credentials. These tests are used to identify risk factors only. In other words, you won’t be diagnosed with high cholesterol and given a prescription for a statin medication, but you will be told that you have a high risk for heart disease and may receive a referral to go see your doctor about medications.
The biometric blood test is designed to give you information. It is not designed to diagnose. If you receive a wellness program screening and received results that were personally concerning to you, then schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss the results. That way you can receive the diagnosis and treatment you may need to correct your current health situation.