Examples of Tests and Procedures and What They Determine

• Hematocrit


  hemoglobin level and red cell count
• Hemoglobin


  values that rule out anemia
• Red Blood Cell Count

  erythropoietic activity
• White Blood Cell Count

  leukocyte response
• Platelet Count


  chemotherapy and radiation conditions
• Differential WBC count


  changes in the appearance or quantity of specific cell types
• Indices


  show the changes in RBC size, weight, and Hgb content
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)


  weight of the hemoglobin in the cell
• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)


  size of cell
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)


  concentration of the hemoglobin per unit volume of RBCs
• Red Blood Cell Distribution Width

  size differences of the RBCs
• Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time


  adequacy of heparin therapy
• D-dimer


  thrombin and plasmin activity
• Fibrin Split Products


  amount of fibrin degradation products in the blood
• Fibrinogen Test


  fibrinogen levels in the blood
• Prothrombin Time (PT)


  liver diseases or deficiency in Vitamin K
• Alaline Aminotransferase Test


  liver damage
• Alpha-fetoprotein


  alpha-fetoprotein levels in pregnant woman during second trimester of pregnancy
• Alkaline Phosphatase


  amount of alkaline phosphatase enzyme in the bloodstream
• Ammonia


  measures the level that could indicate cirrhosis and hepatitis
• Amylase


  checks the enzyme level that could indicate liver disease, cholesystitis
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)


  levels of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme that may indicate liver damage
• Bilirubin Test


  amount of bilirubin levels in the bloodstream that could indicate red blood destruction
• arterial blood gases (ABGs)

  acid base balance by measuring pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen
• Blood Urea Nitrogen


  amount of urea nitrogen found in blood which could determine impaired renal function
• B-type Natriuretic Peptide Test


  levels of this hormone in the blood could indicate congestive heart failure
• C-reactive protein high sensitiviy

  levels of CRP
• Carcinoembryonic Antigen Test


  may help diagnose and manage certain types of cancers
• Blood Calcium


  could help determine or monitor the effects of renal failure
• Total Cholesterol


  indicates risk of cardiovascular diseases
• Cortisol


  shows adrenal hypofunction and hyperfunction
• Creatine Kinase


  used to check muscle damage
• Creatinine


  checks for cases that indicate renal impairment or muscular dystrophy
• Drug Analysis


  monitors therapeutic range to avoid toxic levels for drugs
• Electrolytes


  show the sodium values that determine disorder of the kidney and adrenals
• Glucose


  used to check diabetes, liver disease, malnutrition
• Gamma Glutamyl Tranferase


  used for diagnosis of liver specifically hepatobiliary problems
• Hemoglobin A1C


  determines glycosylated hemoglobin level
• Lactate dehydrogenase


  checks lungs, kidney, and liver dysfunction
• Lipase


  shows the level that could lead to either pancreatitis or pancreatic carcinoma