Expert Answers to Lab Test Questions
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LaShanta Brice, DCLS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM
Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science
"Everywhere laboratory medicine is, there should be a laboratory professional."
18+
Years Experience
Questions Answered
Landon Stovall-Guthrie, DCLS, MLS(ASCP)
Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Scientist
"There is a lot behind the number on the lab report.”
9+
Years Experience
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Michele Palermo, MLS(ASCP), CLT(NYSED)
Medical Laboratory Scientist
"Enjoy The Little Things."
3+
Years Experience
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Margaret Alba, DOM, MLS(ASCP)CM, BB(ASCP)
Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)
"We get things spun, run, and done!"
36+
Years Experience
Questions Answered
Diagnostic Test Lookup
Explore essential lab tests that support early detection, accurate diagnosis, and personalized treatment decisions. From routine screenings to specialized genetic analyses, this comprehensive resource covers diagnostic tests across major laboratory disciplines.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Measures red/white cells, hemoglobin, and platelets to assess overall blood health and detect various conditions like anemia or infection.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Includes glucose, liver enzymes, kidney function markers, and electrolytes for comprehensive metabolic evaluation.
Lipid Panel (Cholesterol)
Measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to assess cardiovascular risk and heart health.
Thyroid Function Tests
Evaluates TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and other thyroid hormones to assess thyroid gland function and metabolism.
Hemoglobin A1c
Reflects average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months, essential for diabetes screening and monitoring.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Measures liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) and bilirubin to assess liver health and detect hepatic conditions.
Cancer Screening Markers
Includes PSA, CA 15-3, AFP, and other tumor markers for early detection and monitoring of various cancers.
Genetic & Molecular Testing
BRCA1/2, Factor V Leiden, and other genetic tests for hereditary conditions and personalized medicine.
Overview Lab Tests
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Measures red/white cells, hemoglobin, and platelets to assess overall blood health and detect various conditions like anemia or infection.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Includes glucose, liver enzymes, kidney function markers, and electrolytes for comprehensive metabolic evaluation.
Lipid Panel (Cholesterol)
Measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to assess cardiovascular risk and heart health.
Thyroid Function Tests
Evaluates TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and other thyroid hormones to assess thyroid gland function and metabolism.
Hemoglobin A1c
Reflects average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months, essential for diabetes screening and monitoring.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Measures liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) and bilirubin to assess liver health and detect hepatic conditions.
Cancer Screening Markers
Includes PSA, CA 15-3, AFP, and other tumor markers for early detection and monitoring of various cancers.
Genetic & Molecular Testing
BRCA1/2, Factor V Leiden, and other genetic tests for hereditary conditions and personalized medicine.
Clinical Chemistry Lab Tests
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
Measures glucose, calcium, and electrolytes to assess kidney function and metabolism.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Includes BMP plus liver enzymes and proteins for full metabolic evaluation.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Measures liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT) and bilirubin to assess liver health.
Glucose Test
Screens for or monitors diabetes by measuring blood glucose levels.
Lipid Panel (Cholesterol)
Measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides for cardiovascular assessment.
Kidney Function Tests
Evaluates kidney function using blood creatinine, BUN, eGFR as well as urine tests.
Electrolyte Panel
Measures sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate for fluid and pH balance.
Albumin Test
Evaluates liver/kidney function via albumin level measurement.
Hematology Lab Tests
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Measures red/white cells, hemoglobin, and platelets for comprehensive blood assessment.
Hemoglobin A1c
Reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months for diabetes monitoring.
Reticulocyte Count
Measures immature red blood cells to assess bone marrow activity.
ESR (Sedimentation Rate)
Detects inflammation by measuring how quickly red blood cells settle.
Prothrombin Time (PT)/INR
Monitors blood clotting function, especially important for warfarin therapy.
Iron Studies
Measures serum iron, ferritin, TIBC to assess iron deficiency or overload.
Peripheral Blood Smear
Microscopic examination of blood cells for detailed morphology analysis.
Fibrinogen Test
Assesses clotting protein levels important for bleeding disorders.
Microbiology Lab Tests
Urine Culture
Identifies UTI-causing bacteria and determines antibiotic sensitivity.
Blood Culture
Detects bloodstream infections and identifies causative organisms.
Throat Culture
Detects strep throat and other bacterial throat infections.
Sputum Culture
Identifies lung infection pathogens for respiratory conditions.
Stool Culture
Detects harmful gut bacteria causing gastrointestinal infections.
Wound Culture
Identifies pathogens causing skin and soft tissue infections.
COVID-19 PCR
Detects SARS-CoV-2 genetic material for accurate COVID-19 diagnosis.
Stool Ova and Parasite
Screens for intestinal parasites and their eggs in stool samples.
Infectious Disease Lab Tests
Hepatitis Panel
Tests for Hepatitis A, B, and C antibodies and antigens for liver infection screening.
HIV Test
Detects HIV antigen and antibodies for comprehensive HIV screening.
Syphilis Testing
Includes RPR and specific treponemal tests for syphilis detection.
Group A Streptococcus
Rapid detection of Group A strep infections for prompt treatment.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Specific test for active Hepatitis B infection detection.
Hepatitis C Antibody
Screens for Hepatitis C exposure and chronic infection.
RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin)
Latex-based screening test for syphilis detection.
Infectious Disease Panel
Comprehensive testing for multiple infectious agents simultaneously.
Immunology Lab Tests
Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
Screens for autoimmune diseases such as lupus and other connective tissue disorders.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Indicates inflammation levels in the body for various conditions.
Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
Aids in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and related autoimmune conditions.
Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM)
Tests immune system function and antibody production capabilities.
Allergy Panel
Identifies specific allergen sensitivities for environmental and food allergies.
Procalcitonin
Used to investigate bacterial sepsis and guide antibiotic therapy.
Erythropoietin Test
Measures hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
HLA Typing
Tests tissue compatibility for organ transplantation procedures.
Molecular/Genetic Lab Tests
BRCA1/2 Mutation Test
Screens for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk mutations.
Factor V Leiden Test
Screens for inherited blood clotting disorder increasing thrombosis risk.
CFTR Mutation Test
Confirms cystic fibrosis diagnosis through genetic mutation analysis.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Detects infectious DNA/RNA including HIV, COVID-19, and other pathogens.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
Detects multiple genetic mutations simultaneously for comprehensive analysis.
Whole Exome Sequencing
Examines all protein-coding genes for rare genetic disorders.
KRAS Mutation Test
Guides cancer treatment decisions, especially for colorectal cancer.
Chromosomal Microarray
Identifies genetic changes linked to developmental disorders.
Cancer Markers Lab Tests
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
Screens for and monitors prostate cancer in men.
CA 15-3 / CA 27.29
Used to monitor breast cancer treatment response and recurrence.
AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein)
Liver cancer marker; also elevated in testicular and other germ cell tumors.
Thyroglobulin
Surveillance marker for patients treated for thyroid cancer.
HE4 (Human Epididymis Protein 4)
Ovarian cancer marker, often used with CA-125 for improved accuracy.
Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA)
Liquid biopsy detecting cancer mutations from blood samples.
PD-L1 Expression Testing
Determines eligibility for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Chromogranin A
Used in monitoring neuroendocrine tumors and treatment response.
Autoimmune Lab Tests
Anti-Mitochondrial Antibody (AMA)
Primary biliary cholangitis.
Anti-Scl-70 (Anti-Topoisomerase I)
Associated with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).
Anti-Centromere Antibody
Limited scleroderma (CREST syndrome).
Anti-GBM (Glomerular Basement Membrane)
Used to identify antibodies that would attack the filtering mechanism for the kidneys. Goodpasture's disease.
Anti-MPO / Anti-PR3 (ANCA Panel)
Used as an aid in patients suspected of inflammed blood vessels. Vasculitis (e.g., GPA, MPA).
Anti-SSA (Ro) and Anti-SSB (La)
Used as an aid in patients suspected of Sjögren's syndrome and neonatal lupus.
Anti-Jo-1
Used as an aid in patients suspected of Dermatomyositis/polymyositis.
Anti-Histone Antibodies
Used as an aid in patients suspected of Drug-induced lupus. Used as an aid in patients suspected of Antiphospholipid syndrome.
Cryoglobulins
Seen in cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, sometimes linked to cancer or autoimmune disease.
Serum Amyloid A (SAA)
Inflammatory marker elevated in chronic autoimmune diseases and some cancers.
Mixing Study
A study used to work up coagulation issues expected due to Lupus.
Cardiac Lab Tests
Troponin
Gold standard test for detecting heart muscle damage and myocardial infarction.
NT-proBNP/BNP
Heart failure biomarker for screening and monitoring cardiac function.
CK-MB
Cardiac-specific enzyme elevated after heart muscle damage.
Lipid Panel
Comprehensive cholesterol testing for cardiovascular risk assessment.
C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP)
High-sensitivity test for cardiovascular inflammation risk.
Homocysteine
Amino acid level associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
D-Dimer
Blood clot breakdown product useful in cardiac emergency evaluation.
Cardiac Panel
Comprehensive testing combining multiple cardiac biomarkers.
Endocrinology Lab Tests
Thyroid Function
Thyroid function is evaluated using one or more of the following hormone levels: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Total T4, Total T3, thyroglobulin, and anti TPO.
Pregnancy Testing
The following hormones are evaluated when suspecting a person is pregnant or working towards conception: hCG, FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin.
Testosterone
Aids in the evaluation of patients suspected of hypogonadism, impotence.
Sperm Test
Used as an aid in evaluating male fertility as well as vasectomy success.
Drug Testing Lab Tests
Urine Drug Screen
Comprehensive screening for drugs of abuse and therapeutic monitoring.
THC (Marijuana)
Detection of cannabis use for employment or legal purposes.
Opiates Panel
Tests for morphine, codeine, and other opiate compounds.
Amphetamines
Screens for amphetamine and methamphetamine use.
Cocaine Metabolites
Detects cocaine use through metabolite analysis.
Benzodiazepines
Screens for prescription and illicit benzodiazepine use.
Pain Management Panel
Monitors compliance and identifies undisclosed substances.
Synthetic Drug Screen
Advanced testing for synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants.
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