Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication which is characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs usually the liver and kidney. It usually begins in around pregnancy week 20 even in women with normal blood pressure. When left untreated , this condition can be fatal to both you and your baby.

Blood test used to check for preeclampsia ?

The blood test used to check for preeclampsia look out for the following :

Uric acid :  Increased levels of uric acid is directly related to preeclampsia.  It is  is a waste product formed from the breakdown of some protein-rich foods and the breakdown of cells in the body and normally filtered from the blood by the kidney. If the kidneys have been damaged by preeclampsia ,the level of uric acid may rise.

Platelets :  Preeclampsia may result in abnormally low platelet count.

Hematocrit : A high hematocrit may indicate preeclampsia.  hematocrit tells the level of red blood cells in the blood.  During pregnancy , hematocrit level usually decreases as the fluid in the blood plasma increases making the red blood cells less concentrated. However preeclampsia causes body tissues to absorb blood plasma . The blood becomes concentrated resulting in an abnormally high hematocrit.

Electrolytes : These include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. The amount of electrolytes may change if preeclampsia damages kidneys or causes fluid to leak out of blood vessels into surrounding tissues.

Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) : It measure the time it takes blood to clot. Preeclampsia increases PTT because it causes problems with blood clotting.

Kidney function test :  This tests  for the amount of substances in the blood that are usually removed from the blood by the kidney. These substances which include blood urea, nitrogen and creatinine increase in the blood if the kidneys have been damaged.

Liver function test :These monitor enzymes that indicate how well the liver is working.