Julia Sevco

What the test is, why you would get the test, and what the results look like and mean

1. Liver function blood test

What is the test?
There is not just one test. The doctor will check levels of different proteins and
enzymes in the blood. Commonly used tests to check liver function are the alanine
transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase
(ALP), albumin, and bilirubin tests. The ALT and AST tests measure enzymes
that your liver releases in response to damage or disease.
Why would you get the test?
If there are symptoms that something is wrong with a person’s liver, a doctor may
order liver function blood test. Symptoms may include yellow skin coloring to
slurred speech. The doctor may be testing for hepatitis.
What does the results look like and mean?
This blood test may be done more than once over a few days or weeks. The doctor
will look at how levels change to determine any liver related conditions. If results
are normal, more tests may be done because the liver function test alone cannot
tell for sure if the person has a certain disease.

2. Comprehensive metabolic panel

What is the test?
A comprehensive metabolic panel is a blood test that measures your sugar
(glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function.
Glucose is a type of sugar your body uses for energy. Electrolytes keep your
body's fluids in balance.
Why would you get the test?
The doctor would order the test to measure your sugar glucose level, electrolyte
and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function. Abnormal results can be
due to a variety of conditions including kidney failure, breathing problems, and
diabetes-related complications.
What do the results look like and mean?
The doctor will look for patterns of results. A high result on one of the liver
enzyme tests has different implications than high results on several liver enzyme
tests. If any results are out of the normal range, one or more follow up tests are
performed to help make a diagnosis.

3. What is albumin, alkaline phosphate, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate

aminotransferase, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, chloride, CO2,
creatinine, glucose, postassium, sodium, total protein. How do they check for these
things and what levels do you want to have in the body?
These tests constitute a blood chemistry panel. Blood is drawn to check for
various levels of these chemistries. Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen are
kidney function tests. Sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and CO2 are
electrolytes in the body. Alkaline phosphatase and alanine amino transferase, and
asparatate amino transerase, and bilirubin are liver tests.
4. Echocardiogram
What is the test?
The test is also called echocardiography or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound. An echo
uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart's chambers, valves, walls and
the blood vessels (aorta, arteries, veins) attached to your heart. A probe called a
transducer is passed over your chest.
Why would you get the test?
Your doctor may suggest an echocardiogram if he or she suspects problems with
the valves or chambers of your heart or if heart problems are the cause of
symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain. An echocardiogram can also
be used to detect congenital heart defects in unborn babies
What do the results look like and mean?
Weakened or damaged heart valves, high blood pressure, or other diseases can
cause the chambers of your heart to enlarge or the walls of your heart to be
abnormally thickened. Your doctor can use an echocardiogram to evaluate the
need for treatment or monitor treatment effectiveness.

5. Electronencephalogram
What is the test?
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is record of brain activity produced by
electroencephalography.
Why would you get the test?
The test provides evidence of how brain functions over time.
What do the results look like and mean?
The results may indicate that there's a problem in one area or side of the brain.
The EEG shows sudden bursts of electrical activity called spike, or the test shows
sudden slowing of brain waves in the brain. These changes may be caused by a
brain tumor, infection, injury, stroke, or epilepsy.

6. ELISA test for hormones, proteins, antibodies, or pregnancy-

What is the test?
ELISA is an abbreviation for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ELISA
tests are used for the detection of proteins. The substances detected can include
hormones, bacterial antigens and antibodies that the body made in response to an
infection. Pregnancy can be detected by ELISA which detects the hCG protein.
Why would you get the test?
This test is used to diagnose HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and food
allergies. Home pregnancy tests use ELISA to detect hCG.
What do the results mean?
There are hundreds of ELISA tests. The results and meaning of ELISA tests
depend on what is being tested. Tests are positive, negative or sometimes
indeterminate.
7. Ultrasound
What is the test?
 An ultrasound or diagnostic medical sonography is an imaging method that uses
high frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within your body.
Why would you get the test?
A doctor typically orders an ultrasound to see an image of a baby growing in a
woman’s womb, but there are other times an ultrasound is indicated. Doctors use
ultrasound imaging to diagnose a wide variety of conditions affecting the organs
and soft tissues of the body, including the heart and blood vessels, liver,
gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, uterus, ovaries, eyes, thyroid, and
testicles.
What do the results mean?
The results will be normal or abnormal. The meaning of abnormal results depends
on the organ being examined and type of problem.

8. How does a Rapid Diagnostic Test work?

What is the test?
Rapid Diagnostic tests (RDTs) are quick and easy to perform. They often use a
dipstick or cassette format and provide results typically within twenty minutes. A
blood specimen is applied to the sample pad on the test card along with certain
reagents. The test is testing for certain antigens or antibodies. They can be used to
detect malaria and strep. For a strep test, a cotton swab is rubbed on the person’s
tonsils and then placed in a specialized container to test for the presence of the
streptococcal bacteria.
Why would you get the test?
The doctor will order a rapid diagnostic test to have quick turnaround on diseases
such as strep and malaria so treatment can begin immediately.
What do the results look like and mean?
The results will positive indicating treatment with antibiotics is necessary or
negative indicating no treatment is required.

9. How does a stool analysis help to determine if you have colon cancer or pancreatic
disease?
What is the test?
The stool will be checked for color, consistency, amount, shape, odor, and the
presence of mucus. The stool will be examined for hidden blood, fat, meat fibers,
bile, white blood cells, and sugars called resisting substances.
Why would you get the test?
The doctor would want a stool sample to help determine if the patient has colon
cancer or pancreatic disease. Certain enzymes such as trypsin or elastase may be
evaluated in the stool to help determine how well the pancreas is functioning.
Checking for hidden blood will screen for colon cancer.
What do the results look like and mean?
The normal results include the stool appearing brown, soft, and well formed.
Abnormal results include black, red, yellow, white or green stool. Another
abnormal feature is finding blood in the stool or the stool containing low levels of
enzymes.
10. What are TSH, T4, T3? What are the normal levels in the body? Thyroid-
stimulating immunoglobin (TSI) test, Antithyroid antibody test
What is the test?
T3 test helps to evaluate thyroid gland function and to diagnose thyroid disease
including hyperthyroidism. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. T4
(thryozine) and t3 (triiodothyronnine) are thyroid hormones in the blood that help
to control the rate at which the body uses energy. If you have an abnormal TSH
and normal T4, T3 test is performed. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobin (TSI)
test measures the level of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin in the blood. High
levels of TSI indicate the presences of Grave’s disease. Antithyroid antibody test
checks for high levels of antithyroid antibodies which destroy thyroid tissue.
Why would you get the test?
These tests are used to diagnose a thyroid disorder in a person with symptoms of
hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism or when a person has an enlarged thyroid
gland.
What do the results look like and mean?
Normal TSH levels for the average adult range from .4 – 4.0 mlU/L (milli-
International units per liter).

11. Tuberculosis skin test

What is the test?
A tuberculin skin test is done to test for exposure to tuberculosis. The test is done
by putting a small amount of TB protein (antigens) under the top layer of skin on
a person’s inner forearm.
Why would you get the test?
A tuberculin skin test is done to see if a person has been exposed to tuberculosis
(TB). If a person has been in close contact with someone who has TB, he will
need to be tested. Heathcare workers are tested for TB.
What do the results look like and mean?
If a person has been exposed to the TB bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis),
the skin will react to the antigens by developing a firm red bump at the site within
two days.

12. In a urinalysis, what does specific gravity, pH, protein levels, glucose levels, ketones
levels, nitrite levels, bilirubin levels, and urobilinogen levels tell you? What are
ketones and bilirubins?
What is the test?
A urinalysis is set a screening tests that can detect some common diseases such as
urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, liver problems, diabetes and other
metabolic conditions.
Why would you get the test?
A urinalysis may be ordered when a person has routine wellness exam, is
admitted to the hospital, or is supposed to undergo surgery, or when a woman has
a pregnancy checkup. If a person has cloudy urine and foul smelling urine, a
urinalysis will be performed.
What do the results look like and mean?
 There are many chemical tests using reagent test strips in a urinalysis. A specific
gravity (SG) is a measure of urine concentration. The upper limit of the test pad is
a SG of 1.035 that indicates concentrated urine, one with many substances in a
limited amount of water. pH indicates acidity of the urine and can range from 4.5
to 8.0 and is useful in diagnosis in urinary tract infections. Healthy adults
normally excrete 80-150 mg protein daily. Only undetectable amounts of glucose
is in urine in healthy adults. Nitrates should not be in urine so if the urine contains
nitrates, that indicates bacteria.
What are ketones and bilirubin?
Ketones are chemicals made in the liver and produced when a person doesn’t
have enough of the hormone insulin to turn sugar into energy. An elevated level
of ketones in the blood indicates a very high blood sugar level.
Bilirubin is a yellow-orange pigment that is a waste product produced by the
normal breakdown of hemoglobin which is found in red blood cells (RBCs). It is
processed by the liver. Any condition that accelerates the breakdown or RBCs or
affects the processing or elimination of bilirubin may cause elevated blood levels
of bilirubin.

13. What do you look for in a urine test for pregnancy?

What is the test?
The pregnancy urine test is looking for the hormone human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. This hormone is made right after a fertilized egg
attaches to the wall of a woman’s uterus.
Why would you get the test?
A person would get the test to determine if she was pregnant.
What do the results look like and mean?
The results show the level of hCG in the urine which indicate pregnancy or not. If
the woman is pregnant, the levels of hCG will continue to rise throughout the
pregnancy.

14. Diabetic blood testing, either fasting or glucose tolerance test

What is the test?
The blood glucose test many be used to screen for diabetes in people who are at
risk for diabetes. The fasting blood glucose test measures the level of glucose in
the blood after fasting for at least 8 hours. In the 2-hour glucose tolerance test
(GTT), the person has a fasting glucose test then drinks a 75-gram glucose drink.
Another blood sample is drawn 2 hours later. If the initial screening result is
abnormal, the test is repeated on another day.
Why would you get the test?
A person would get the test if the physician suspected diabetes or the person was
at risk for diabetes. This test is recommended as a screening for a person 45 or
older or any person with risk factors.
What do the results look like and mean?
The repeat test must be abnormal to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes. High levels
of glucose may indicate diabetes. A fasting glucose level that is equal to or greater
than 126 mg/dL indicates diabetes. A 2-hour glucose tolerance test equal to or
 greater than 200mg/dL indicates diabetes. Diabetics must monitor their own blood
glucose levels to determine how far above or below normal their glucose is and to
determine what oral medication or insulin they need.

15. Biopsy
What is the test?
A biopsy is a sample of tissue taken from the body to examine it more closely.
There are several ways to take a biopsy.
Why would you get the test?
A doctor orders a biopsy after a physical exam or an imaging test suggests an area
of the body is not normal. There may be a lesion, tumor, or mass that needs
biopsied.
What do the results look like and mean?
Biopsies are most often done to look for cancer and if positive help determine the
best therapy option. Pathologists look at tissue cells’ type, shape, and internal
activity to diagnose problems.

16. Polymerase Chain Reaction

What is the test?
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a relatively simple and inexpensive tool that
you can use to focus in on a segment of DNA and copy it billions of times over
from a blood or tissue.
Why would you get the test?
PCR is used every day to diagnose diseases including genetic disorders, identify
bacteria and DNA viruses, and match criminals to crime scenes using forensic
analysis of DNA. It is also used in research.
What do the results look like and mean?
The results of PCR reaction are made visible using gel electrophoresis. If a
pathogen is present, regions of its DNA are amplified from a blood or tissue
sample.