Lab Tests
Rows Returned: 100
| Term | Definition | Procedure | Translation | Sound Clip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid Fast Stain | a test on tissue, blood or other bodily substance to determine if it is infected with mycobacteria which causes tuberculosis | blood, urine, stool, sputum, bone marrow or tissue sample is collected placed on a slide and given an acid wash | ||
| Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Test | (also known as an ACTH test or a corticotropin test) measures pituitary gland function and whether too much or too little cortisol is being produced. Too much cortisol may result in Cushing’s syndrome while too little may result in Addison’s disease. | fasting blood sample. | ||
| Alanine Aminotransferase Test | also known as ALT, it is one of a group of tests known as liver function tests and is used to detect liver abnormalities. Combined with a similar enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST)may provide information as to the nature of the liver disease. | blood test | ||
| Albumin | done to test the blood levels of albumin, an important protein produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Its purpose is to assist the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases affecting the body's proteins including cancer, intestinal disease, renal disease, liver disease and immune disorders. | blood test | ||
| Alkaline Phosphatase | alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found throughout the body and needed in small amounts to trigger specific chemical reactions. When it is present in large amounts, bone disease, liver disease or tumors may be present. | blood test | ||
| Allergy Skin Test | a test used to identify substances causing allergic reaction | 3 methods include: (1) scratch test - skin is pricked and extract from potential allergen enters the outer layer of skin; (2) intradermal test - allergen is injected under the skin and (3) patch test - a patch is placed on the skin containing the potential allergen | ||
| Alpha Fetoprotein | test for monitoring liver cancer. | blood test | ||
| Ammonia | a test done to determine the cause of unconsciousness or behavior. In adults it may be done if there is disorientation or coma or to monitor liver disease. In infants it may be done shortly after birth if there is irritability, lethargy, vomiting or seizures. Increased values may be seen in gastrointestinal bleeding, tourniquet use, muscular exertion, smoking and certain types of drug use. Levels may be decreased in hypertension or use of certain types of antibiotics. | blood test | ||
| Amylase | a test to measure the amount of amylase in the body. Levels increase if there is damage to or blockage of the pancreas or salivary glands. | fasting blood test or urine test | ||
| Antinuclear Antibody Test | a test done to detect the presence of autoimmune or rheumatic disease, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In autoimmune disease the body makes autoantibodies that are proteins which attack the body’s own cells. | blood test using the patient’s serum and commercial cells | ||
| Antistreptolysin O Titer | a test to determine whether a group A Streptococcal infection has caused a disease, such as scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, or glomerulonephritis. | fasting blood test | ||
| Arterial Blood Gas | measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well blood pH or acidity. The test evaluates how effectively the lungs are delivering oxygen to the blood and how efficiently they are eliminating carbon dioxide from it. Interaction of the lungs and kidneys in maintaining normal blood pH (acid-base balance) is also measured | a blood sample is obtained by arterial puncture or from an existing arterial line. | ||
| Aspartate Aminotransferase Test | also known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), this test measures levels of AST, an enzyme released into the blood when there has been an injury of certain organs or tissues, such as the liver and heart. It may also be used in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, muscle disease, severe burn and infectious mononucleosis | blood test | ||
| B-Natriuretic Peptide | a substance secreted from the ventricles of the heart in response to changes in pressure occurring in heart failure or worsening of heart failure. | blood test | ||
| Bicarbonate Test | See Electrolytes. Also known as CO2 test; measures amount of carbon dioxide in blood. It may be decreased in Addison's disease, diarrhea, kidney disease and increased in Cushing's syndrome, excess vomiting and hyperaldosteronism. | blood test | ||
| Bilirubin | bilirubin is a pigment in bile which is produced by the liver. Excess bilirubin causes jaundice, a yellowing of body tissues. Two types of bilirubin tests include direct and indirect. Elevated indirect levels are used to diagnose liver cell dysfunction and elevated direct levels usually result from an obstruction within or external to the liver blocking the bile ducts | fasting blood test | ||
| Bleeding Time | a test to determine how well blood clots; used to determine disorders of platelet function. | a blood pressure cuff is applied and a cut is made in the patient's arm | ||
| Blood Chemistry Profile | a comprehensive blood evaluation including 12-20 tests. See Albumin, Alkaline Phosphatase, Alanine Aminotransferase, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Calcium, Chloride, C02, Creatinine, Bilirubin, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase, Glucose Tolerance Test, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sodium, Cholesterol, Total Protein, Uric Acid. | blood test | ||
| Blood Culture | a test done when the patient has symptoms of bacteremia (blood infection). It is done to identify microorganisms present in the blood and to determine antibiotics that will be effective in treating them. | blood test | ||
| Blood Urea Nitrogen | a test that measures the level of urea nitrogen in the patient's blood. Urea is a is formed in the liver when the body breaks down protein. It circulates in the blood in the form of urea nitrogen. In healthy people, most urea nitrogen is filtered through the kidneys and leaves the body via urination. The BUN level will rise if the patient's kidneys are not functioning properly or if the body is using large amounts of protein; it will drop if the patient has severe liver disease. | blood test | ||
| BRCA | BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 tests are used to detect the mutations that increase the risk for breast and ovarian cancer. | blood test | ||
| C-Reactive Protein | a test to measure the general inflammation level in the patient's body. High CRP levels are caused by infections and long term diseases such as lymphoma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Additional tests are needed to determine the cause and location of inflammation in the body. | blood test | ||
| CA-125 | Cancer Antigen 125 is a test primarily used to monitor ovarian cancer levels during therapy | blood test | ||
| Calcium | See Electrolytes. A measure of how much calcium is circulating in blood; used to diagnose or monitor conditions of bones, heart, nerves, kidneys and teeth. | blood test | ||
| Carbon Dioxide | See Bicarbonate | blood test | ||
| CD4 Count | helps determine the strength of the immune system and stage of HIV disease | blood test | ||
| Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis | a test to examine the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord which is used to diagnose disorders of the central nervous system such as tumors, infections, bleeding, multiple sclerosis, acute bacterial meningitis, poliomyelitis, encephalitis, Guillain Barre syndrome or Alzheimer’s disease. It can also be used to detect the presence of drugs or poisons in the body. | withdrawal of fluid via lumbar puncture. | ||
| Chloride | See Electrolytes. A test to measure chloride in the fluid portion of blood, done if there is a disturbance of fluid level or acid base balance in the body. High levels may indicate use of certain drugs such as glaucoma drugs, dehydration, metabolic acidosis or respiratory alkalosis; lower levels may indicate Addison's disease, burns, kidney disorders, congestive heart failure, excess sweating, metabolic alkalosis, over hydration or vomiting. | blood test | ||
| Cholesterol | A measure of cholesterol level in blood. A higher level puts the patient at risk for coronary heart disease and heart attack. The test includes 4 measurements: total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol and triglycerides. LDL is a major source of blockage in the arteries. HDL helps keep cholesterol from building up in arteries. | blood test | ||
| Complete Blood Cell Count: | A measurement of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and take away carbon dioxide. White blood cells are necessary to help fight infections. Platelets are needed for blood clotting. The number of each type of cell, and size and shape are also determined by this test. See White Blood Cell Count, Differential, Red Blood Cell Count, Red Blood Cell Indices, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platelet Count. | blood test | ||
| Coomb’s Test | Direct Coomb’s test may be used to check for anemia; indirect may be used to check for transfusion reaction. | blood test | ||
| Cortisol Test | a test used to diagnose adrenal disorders such as Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease. When an excess or deficiency of cortisol has been detected additional tests such as dexamethasone suppression or ACTH Stimulation may be conducted to determine the cause. | blood, urine or saliva tests | ||
| Creatine | creatine is a compound produced by the body which combines with phosphorus to make phosphate. Creatine Phosphate is used to make skeletal muscles contract. The test is used in diagnosis of kidney function impairment and kidney damage. | done in conjunction with the Blood Urea Nitrogen test; fasting blood test | ||
| Creatine Kinase | measures blood levels of certain enzyme proteins in the muscle and brain. Usually little CK is found circulating in the blood – elevated levels may indicate damage to muscle or brain from myocardial infarction, muscle disease or stroke. | blood test | ||
| Creatine Phosphokinase | See Creatine Kinase | |||
| Creatinine | See Creatinine Clearance | |||
| Creatinine Clearance | tests to measure the level of the waste product creatinine in the urine and blood. The tests tell how well kidneys are working. | blood test or urine test | ||
| Culture and Sensitivity | a culture is done to determine the organism that is causing an illness or infection and the sensitivity is done to determine what type of medicine will best treat it. Used in diagnosis of disorders of many systems including conjunctivitis, pneumonia, tinea and dermatophytosis. | sample fluid or tissue (urine, mucus, blood, pus, saliva, breast milk, spinal fluid, or discharge from the vagina or penis) is collected and cultured to see if bacteria grow | ||
| D-Dimer Test | used as an adjunct test for diagnosis of inappropriate blood clotting; may help diagnose deep venous thrombosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. | blood test | ||
| Dexamethasone Suppression Test | a measure of response of the adrenal glands to adrenal corticotropic hormone, performed when it is suspected that the body is producing too much cortisol | blood or urine test after administration of dexamethasone | ||
| Differential Count | differs from a white blood cell count in that a WBC Count determines the concentration of white blood cells in the patient's blood, while a WBC Differential determines the percentage of each of five types of mature white blood cells:. Neutrophils - increase in bacterial infection or inflammation, bone marrow disorders and in response to medications such as chemotherapy. Eosinophils - used in diagnosis of infections, inflammation, bone marrow disorders and allergies Basophils - increase in leukemia, chronic inflammation, food hypersensitivity and radiation therapy Lymphocytes - increase in viral infection, leukemia, bone marrow cancer or radiation therapy; decrease in lupus and HIV infection Monocytes - increase in response to infections, inflammations, malignancy; decrease in bone marrow injury, leukemia. The test is part of a Complete Blood Count. | blood test | ||
| Electrolytes | Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged ions found within cells, between cells, in the bloodstream and in other fluids throughout the body. Various disease states can cause changes in the concentration of one or more electrolytes. Tests are used to diagnose dietary deficiencies, loss of nutrients through vomiting, urination and diarrhea, renal failure or diseases involving hormones. See these electrolytes: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Bicarbonate and Phosphate. | blood, urine or diarrheal fluid test | ||
| Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay | a test used to detect the amount of antibody or antigen in a sample; commonly used to diagnose HIV, pregnancy, food allergies and screening for certain classes of drugs. | blood test | ||
| Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate | a measure of the settling of red blood cells in a tube of blood during a one hour time period. The rate is an indication of inflammation and increases in many diseases such as rheumatoid disease, infections and cancer. | blood test | ||
| Factor VIII Assay | a test to determine how well Factor VIII, a protein which helps blood clot, works. Levels may decrease in hemophilia and disseminated intravascular coagulation, increase in diabetes, liver disease, pregnancy and inflammation. | blood test | ||
| Fasting Blood Sugar | a test to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. Used to diagnose diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, pancreatitis, and hypopituitarism. | blood test | ||
| Fecal Occult Blood | A test to detect hidden blood in the stool which may indicate colorectal disease such as colon cancer, gastritis or hemorrhoids. | fecal smear | ||
| Fibrinogen | a test to determine the amount of fibrinogen produced by the liver. Fibrinogen is a protein that helps blood clot. May be used in diagnosis of hemorrhage, hemophilia. | blood test | ||
| Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption Test | detects antibodies to the bacteria which causes syphilis, Treponema pallidum. | blood test | ||
| Free Thyroxine | See Thyroxine | |||
| Gammaglutamyl Transferase | a test to detect liver and bile injury. | blood test | ||
| Glucose Tolerance Test | a test to determine how the body metabolizes blood sugar, may be used in diagnosis of diabetes, gestational diabetes or Cushing's syndrome. | oral or intravenous administration of glucose followed by fasting blood test | ||
| Glycosylated Hemoglobin | measures glycated hemoglobin in the blood. A test for diabetes, high levels may put the patient at risk for disease of the eye, heart, kidneys, nerve damage or stroke. | blood test | ||
| Gram's Stain | a test to determine the cause of a bacterial infection. | body fluids or biopsy | ||
| Hematocrit | measures the number and size of red blood cells. Low values may be caused by anemia, leukemia, bone loss, rheumatoid arthritis. High values may be caused by dehydration due to burns or diarrhea, polycythemia vera, erythrocytosis. Part of a Complete Blood Count. | blood test | ||
| Hemoglobin | measures blood hemoglobin levels. May be used to diagnose (low levels) - anemias such as hemolytic and sickle cell, malnutrition, lead poisoning and (high levels) - cor pulmonale, pulmonary fibrosis. Part of a Complete Blood Count. | blood test | ||
| Hepatitis Panel | a group of tests that are done to determine the specific type of hepatitis virus present. There are 5 types of viruses that can cause viral hepatitis. Other causes of hepatitis are drugs, toxins, and alcohol ingestion. Diagnosing the specific virus may be difficult to do because of the similarity of symptoms. | blood test | ||
| HIV Antibody Test | test to determine if the patient is infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. | blood or urine test | ||
| Human Growth Hormone | measures human growth hormone in blood. Too much can cause gigantism, too little can cause dwarfism. High levels may indicate kidney disease, diabetes or starvation. Low levels indicate hypopituitarism. | blood test | ||
| Immunofixation | measures immunoglobulins in blood which are proteins that function as antibodies; may indicate multiple myeloma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. | blood test | ||
| Immunofluorescence Test | lab technique to identify specific antibodies or antigens. Tests for certain lung diseases and pneumonias. | sputum test | ||
| Iron | used with Total Iron Binding Capacity to determine how much iron is being carried in the blood. Low levels may cause anemia; high levels may occur in cases of multiple blood transfusions, lead poisoning, liver disease or kidney disease. | blood test | ||
| Lactate Dehydrogenase | a test used to check for tissue damage, especially in the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, blood cells, and lungs. High levels may indicate stroke, heart attack, hemolytic anemia, infectious mononucleosis, liver disease, muscle injury, muscular dystrophy, toxemia of pregnancy, pancreatitis, tissue death. | blood test | ||
| Lipase | tests the amount of lipase in the blood. Abnormal results may indicate cholecystitis, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, stomach ulcer, viral gastritis. | blood test | ||
| Lipid Profile | a group of tests that determine the risk of coronary heart disease: Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL and Triglycerides. | blood test | ||
| Liver Function | A group of tests used to assess the health of liver cells by measuring enzymes and assessing substances produced in the liver and used elsewhere in the body. Used to diagnose chronic alcoholism, viral hepatitis, and gallstones. | blood test | ||
| Magnesium | a test ordered when there are chronically low levels of potassium and calcium in the blood. Low levels may be due to dietary deficiency, gastrointestinal disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, use of diuretics, severe burns and toxemia of pregnancy. High levels may be seen in kidney failure, hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, dehydration and Addison's disease. | blood test | ||
| Mantoux Test | a test for tuberculosis | injection of tuberculin under the skin | ||
| Monospot Test | a test that indicates infection with the Epstein Barr virus, a sign of infectious mononucleosis. | blood test | ||
| Occult Blood | Examination of a specimen (such as urine, feces or gastric juice) for the presence of blood that is otherwise undetectable. See Fecal Occult Blood Test | examination of urine, feces or gastric juice | ||
| Packed Cell Volume | See Hematocrit | blood test | ||
| Parathyroid Hormone Test | used to help diagnose the reason for abnormally low or high calcium levels (hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia). | blood test | ||
| Partial Thromboplastin Time | a test that looks at how long it takes blood to clot. Used to diagnose bleeding or blood clotting problems or to monitor patients on blood thinners. Usually done in conjunction with Prothrombin Time. | blood test | ||
| Phosphorous | See Electrolytes. This test measures the amount of phosphate in blood. High levels may indicate bone metastasis, hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroiditis, liver disease or renal failure. Low levels may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, hypercalcemia, hyperinsulinism, hyperparathyroidism or dietary deficiency. | blood test | ||
| Platelet Count | a test to determine how many platelets are in the blood. Platelets are needed for clotting. Decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia) may be due to cancer chemotherapy, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolytic anemia, leukemia or blood transfusion; increased platelets (thrombocytosis) may be caused by anemia, certain malignancies, polycythemia vera, or post splenectomy syndrome. | blood test | ||
| Potassium | See Electrolytes. Potassium is part of a routine test with other electrolytes when a patient is being evaluated for serious illness. High levels may indicate kidney failure, Addison's disease, hypoaldosteronism, tissue injury, infection, diabetes or dehydration. Decreased levels may indicate dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, hyperaldosteronism, acetaminophen overdose. | blood test or urine test. | ||
| Prostate Specific Antigen | a test to measure the amount of PSA in the blood. PSA is produced by the prostate gland and is used in diagnosis of prostate cancer. | blood test | ||
| Protein Electrophoresis | measures amount of protein in blood (serum) or urine. In blood decreased values may indicate malnutrition, nephrotic syndrome; increased values may indicate acute or chronic inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis, SLE) or malignancy. In urine abnormal results may indicate acute inflammation, decreased kidney function or failure, multiple myeloma, urinary tract infection. | blood test | ||
| Prothrombin Time | test that measures the time it takes for the liquid (plasma) portion of blood to clot. Increased PT times may be due to bile duct obstruction, cirrhosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hepatitis, various factor deficiencies. | blood test | ||
| Rapid Plasma Reagin | screening test for syphilis. False positive results may be produced by HIV infection, Lyme's disease, certain pneumonias, malaria, systemic lupus erythematosus. | blood test | ||
| Red Blood Cell Count | determines how many red blood cells a patient has. Red blood cells are needed to carry oxygen to the body. High numbers may indicate congenital heart disease, cor pulmonale, dehydration, pulmonary fibrosis, polycythemia vera; low numbers may mean anemias, kidney disease, transfusion reaction, hemorrhage, leukemia, multiple myeloma, malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies. Part of a Complete Blood Count. | blood test | ||
| Red Blood Cell Indices | This test defines the content and size of RBCs - mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin or mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). These values help classify anemias. Part of the Complete Blood Count. | blood test | ||
| Red Blood Cell Morphology | a blood smear used when a CBC with differential indicates abnormal or immature cells, or to detect a disease affecting blood cell production such as anemia or decreased or abnormal bone marrow or other blood cell related diseases. | blood test | ||
| Reticulocyte Count | measures number of slightly immature red blood cells called reticulocytes in blood. High percentages may indicate bleeding, hemolytic anemia, kidney disease; low percentages may be caused by bone marrow failure, cirrhosis, folate or iron deficiencies, kidney disease, Vitamin B-12 deficiency, radiation therapy. | blood test | ||
| Rheumatoid Factor Test | a test for rheumatoid factor in the blood; RF is an antibody detectable in the blood used to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis | |||
| Rheumatoid Factor Test | test for rheumatoid arthritis. | blood test | ||
| Sodium | See Electrolytes. Sodium may be used to determine whether a disease of the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidney, thyroid, or adrenal glands is causing or being exacerbated by a sodium deficiency or excess. Urine sodium levels may be ordered if blood levels are abnormal to determine if it is due to too much or too little sodium. | blood test, urine test | ||
| Sputum Analysis | helps identify organisms causing respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and bronchitis. | sputum test | ||
| Synovial Fluid Analysis | an analysis of joint fluid used to diagnose gout, infections, inflammatory joint conditions or injuries and osteoarthritis | joint fluid aspiration | ||
| T Cell Count | See CD4 Count | blood test | ||
| Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Test | a test for evaluating thyroid function. May be used in conjunction with a T3, T4 or Thyroid Antibodies test. High TSH may mean the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) and low TSH may mean it is overactive (hyperthyroidism) | blood test | ||
| Thyroxine Test | a test used to evaluate thyroid function. May be used to diagnose goiter or female infertility, in newborns to check for congenital hypothyroidism which can cause mental retardation of left untreated. | blood test | ||
| Total Iron Binding Capacity | used with iron test to determine if patient's have an iron deficiency or iron overload. A high TIBC may indicate iron deficiency, pregnancy or may be present in oral contraceptive use. A low TIBC may indicate hemochromatosis, anemia, malnutrition, inflammation, liver disease or nephrotic syndrome. | blood test | ||
| Triglyceride Level | used to measure the amount of triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood. High levels may indicate cirrhosis, low protein high carbohydrate diet, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, pancreatitis, poorly controlled diabetes. Low levels may indicate low fat diet, hyperthyroidism, malabsorption syndrome, malnutrition. | blood test | ||
| Triiodothyronine Test | a test performed as an evaluation of thyroid function. High levels may indicate pregnancy, use of birth control pills or estrogen liver disease, hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer. Low levels may indicate hypothyroidism or starvation. | blood test | ||
| Troponin | used to measure blood levels of troponin which rise after a heart attack. Troponin is a muscle protein which helps muscles contract and may leak into the blood after injury to heart muscle. | blood test | ||
| Uric Acid | a test to determine the amount of uric acid in blood or urine. High levels in the blood may be due to acidosis, alcoholism, diabetes, gout, hypoparathyroidism, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephrolithiasis, polycythemia vera, renal failure, toxemia of pregnancy, rich purine diet, excessive exercise or chemotherapy. Low levels in the blood may be due to Fanconi syndrome, Wilson's disease or low purine diet. High levels in urine may indicate metastatic cancer, bone marrow disorders, gout, high purine diet or Fanconi syndrome. Low urine levels may be due to long term alcohol use, chronic glomerulonephritis or lead poisoning. | blood test, urine test | ||
| Urinalysis | Used to evaluate health, detect metabolic diseases affecting kidney function, endocrine disorders, urinary tract disorders and for diabetes monitoring, drug testing, or pregnancy testing. Includes tests for color, clarity, pH, specific gravity, protein, sugar, ketones, RBCs, WBCs, casts, odor, bile and bilirubin, nitrogenous wastes and fat droplets. | |||
| Venereal Disease Research Lab | an immunology test tat detects antibodies to syphilis. | blood test, spinal fluid. | ||
| White Blood Cell Count | a test used to measure the number of white blood cells. Low numbers (leukopenia) may be due to bone marrow failure, lupus erythematosus, liver or spleen disease, radiation; high numbers (leukocytosis) may be due to anemias, leukemia infections, inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis, allergies), emotional or physical stress or tissue damage (burns). Also known as Leukocyte Count. | blood test |