| Introduction |
| Key Concepts |
| Quality Control |
| Role of Testing |
| Conclusion |
| Sources |
| Blood Tests for Men |
| Blood Test for Women |
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Sample Lab Report Reference Ranges Test Reliability Forensic Tests Collecting Samples Tests into Practice Testing Tips Home Testing Screening Your Role Lab Methods |
| Home Use Tests |
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Common blood tests include: Complete blood count (CBC). Blood chemistry test. Blood culture. |
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Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) Four electrolytes:
2. Potassium (K+) 3. Chloride (Cl-) 4. Bicarbonate (HCO3-) or CO2 6. Creatinine 7. Glucose |
| Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) |
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Electrolyte Panel Lipid Profile Liver Panel (also called Hepatic Function Panel) Renal Profile Thyroid Function Panel |
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How is the CMP different than the BMP and why would my doctor order one over the other? One of the results from my CMP is slightly out of range. What does this mean? 1. How is the CMP different than the BMP and why would my doctor order one over the other? 2. One of the results from my CMP is slightly out of range. What does this mean? The results of your CMP are interpreted by your doctor within the context of other tests that you have had done as well as other factors, such as your medical history. A single result that is slightly high or low may or may not have medical significance. There are several reasons why a test result may differ on different days and why it may fall outside a designated reference range. Biological variability (different results in the same person at different times): If a doctor runs the same test on you on several different occasions, there's a good chance that one result will fall outside a reference range even though you are in good health. For biological reasons, your values can vary from day to day. Individual variability (differences in results between different people): References ranges are usually established by collecting results from a large population and determining from the data an expected average (mean) result and expected differences from that average (standard deviation). There are individuals who are healthy but whose tests results, which are normal for them, do not always fall within the expected range of the overall population. Thus, a test value that falls outside of the established reference range supplied by the laboratory may mean nothing significant. Generally, this is the case when the test value is only slightly higher or lower than the reference range and this is why a doctor may repeat a test on you and why she may look at results from prior times when you had the same test performed. However, a result outside the range may indicate a problem and warrant further investigation. Your doctor will evaluate your test results in the context of your medical history, physical examination, and other relevant factors to determine whether a result that falls outside of the reference range means something significant for you. |
| Cholesterol Test |
| Hormones |
| Pregnancy Test |
| What are the indicators of test reliability? |
| Radiology Tests |
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Other Tests Throat culture (strep screen). Stool test. Urine test. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Electroencephalography (EEG). Electrocardiography (EKG). Electromyography (EMG). Biopsies. |
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Pulse oximetry Arterial Blood Gases HbA1c |
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How is the test done? What kind of information will the test provide? Is this test the only way to find out that information? What are the risks and benefits of having this test? How accurate is the test? What do I need to do to prepare for the test? Will the test be uncomfortable? How long will it take to get the results, and how will I get them? What about the test results? What's the next step after the test? What can you do? Here are further guidelines. Acid-Base Balance The body's maintenance of a healthy pH range for blood and tissues that is slightly basic (pH between 7.35 - 7.45). This balance is achieved through the use of systems in the blood (which help to minimize pH changes) and by the lungs and kidneys, which eliminate excess amounts of acids or bases from the body. |
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Do you use drugs or drink alcohol? Are these substances harming your health or increasing your risk for other problems? Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons? Do you abuse more than one drug at a time? Are you unable to stop using drugs when you want to? Have you ever had blackouts or flashbacks as a result of drug use? Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use? Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs? Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs? Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs? Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs? Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g. memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding)? Do you inject drugs? How often do you use drugs Which recreational drugs you have used in the past year? ____ Alcohol ____ Amphetamines ____ Barbiturates (except phenobarbital) ____ Benzodiazepines ____ Cannabis (marijuana, pot) ____ Cocaine ____ Cotinine (a breakdown product of nicotine) ____ Hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms) ____ Heroin ____ Inhalants (paint thinner, aerosol, glue) ____ Injection Drugs ____ LSD ____ MDMA (Ecstasy) ____ Methadone ____ Methamphetamine (speed, crystal) ____ Morphine ____ Narcotics (heroin, oxycodone, methadone, etc.) ____ Other Drugs ____ PCP ____ Phenobarbital ____ Prescription Medications ____ Rohypnol and GHB ____ Steroids ____ Tranquilizers (valium) ____ Tobacco ____ Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA's) ____ other ______________________________ Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons? Have you abused prescription drugs? Do you abuse more than one drug at a time? Can you get through the week without using drugs (other than those required for medical reasons)? Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to? Do you abuse drugs on a continuous basis? Do you try to limit your drug use to certain situations? Have you had “blackouts” or “flashbacks” as a result of drug use? Do you ever feel bad about your drug abuse? Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs? Do your friends or relatives know or suspect you abuse drugs? Has drug abuse ever created problems between you and your spouse? Has any family member ever sought help for problems related to your drug use? Have you ever lost friends because of your use of drugs? Have you ever neglected your family or missed work because of your use of drugs? Have you ever been in trouble at work because of drug abuse? Have you ever lost a job because of drug abuse? Have you gotten into fights when under the influence of drugs? Have you ever been arrested because of unusual behavior while under the influence of drugs? Have you ever been arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs? Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drug? Have you ever been arrested for possession of illegal drugs? Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms as a result of heavy drug intake? Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g., memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding, etc.)? Have you ever gone to anyone for help for a drug problem? Have you ever been in a hospital for medical problems related to your drug use? Have you ever been involved in a treatment program specifically related to drug use? Have you been treated as an outpatient for problems related to drug abuse? Urine drug screen Drug test Alcohol Amphetamines Barbiturates (except phenobarbital) Benzodiazepines Cannabis Cannabis (marijuana) Cocaine Cotinine (a breakdown product of nicotine) Hallucinogens (LSD) Heroin Inhalants Injection Drugs LSD MDMA (Ecstasy) Methadone Methamphetamine Morphine Other Drugs PCP Phenobarbital Prescription Medications Rohypnol and GHB Steroids Tobacco Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA's) Normal Results No drugs in the urine. What Abnormal Results Mean If the test result is positive, another test called gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) may be done to confirm the results. The GC-MS will help tell the difference between a false positive and a true positive. In some cases, a test will register a false positive. This can result from interfering factors such as some foods, prescription medications, and other drugs. |