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Normal Laboratory Values
Electrolytes and Acid/Base Balance Tests
Electrolytes help the body to maintain normal body fluid levels, maintain acid-base balance, and maintain muscle contractility.
Electrolytes and Acid/Base Balance Tests
Electrolytes help the body to maintain normal body fluid levels, maintain acid-base balance, and maintain muscle contractility.
Mineral Tests
Minerals are critical for maintaining bone and teeth.
Minerals are critical for maintaining bone and teeth.
Iron Metabolism Tests
Iron is an integral part of hemoglobin and myoglobin molecules which the body uses to bind and transport oxygen.
Iron is an integral part of hemoglobin and myoglobin molecules which the body uses to bind and transport oxygen.
Kidney Function Tests
The kidneys are responsible for filtering water-soluble waste products from the blood as well as maintaining the correct level of electrolytes, proteins, and glucose for fluid balance throughout the body.
The kidneys are responsible for filtering water-soluble waste products from the blood as well as maintaining the correct level of electrolytes, proteins, and glucose for fluid balance throughout the body.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
The liver performs many metabolic tasks, including detoxification and protein production.
The liver performs many metabolic tasks, including detoxification and protein production.
Glucose Metabolism Tests
Glucose is the primary form of energy used by cells. Insulin is required to move glucose from the blood into the cells.
Glucose is the primary form of energy used by cells. Insulin is required to move glucose from the blood into the cells.
Inflammation tests
Inflammation causes an increase in serum proteins, including albumin, globulin, and C-reactive protein.
Inflammation causes an increase in serum proteins, including albumin, globulin, and C-reactive protein.
Arterial Blood Gas Tests
These tests are evaluated together to assess the pulmonary gas exchange in patients with respiratory or circulatory disease.
These tests are evaluated together to assess the pulmonary gas exchange in patients with respiratory or circulatory disease.
Cardiovascular Tests
Cardiovascular tests can be separated into two major categories, those that assess risk of disease and those that diagnose disease and trauma.
Cardiovascular tests can be separated into two major categories, those that assess risk of disease and those that diagnose disease and trauma.
Thyroid Tests
The thyroid gland secretes hormones which regulate metabolism. These hormones have far reaching effects on many body systems.
The thyroid gland secretes hormones which regulate metabolism. These hormones have far reaching effects on many body systems.
Parathyroid Tests
The parathyroid glands maintain the balance of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus between the blood and bones.
The parathyroid glands maintain the balance of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus between the blood and bones.
Immune System Tests
Tests of the immune system include assays for cell markers, complement levels, and antibodies.
Tests of the immune system include assays for cell markers, complement levels, and antibodies.
Cancer Marker Tests
Cancer makers include serum proteins and genetic markers which are expressed in some forms of cancer.
Cancer makers include serum proteins and genetic markers which are expressed in some forms of cancer.
CBC (complete blood count)
CBC is one of the most common tests ordered, yet a diagnosis is rarely made based on the results of a CBC alone.
CBC is one of the most common tests ordered, yet a diagnosis is rarely made based on the results of a CBC alone.
Differential
The differential separates the white cells into their various subtypes and reports each subtype as a percentage of the total.
Granulocytes include: segmented neutrophils (mature), band neutrophils (less mature), basophils and eosinophils.
The differential separates the white cells into their various subtypes and reports each subtype as a percentage of the total.
Granulocytes include: segmented neutrophils (mature), band neutrophils (less mature), basophils and eosinophils.
Coagulation Studies
Coagulation studies are used to diagnose coagulopathies and monitor anticoagulation therapy.
Coagulation studies are used to diagnose coagulopathies and monitor anticoagulation therapy.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis is like CBC used to screen for abnormalities. The urinalysis has 3 major components: dipstick, microscopic examination, and macroscopic examination.
A urinalysis is like CBC used to screen for abnormalities. The urinalysis has 3 major components: dipstick, microscopic examination, and macroscopic examination.
For laboratory terms according to specific medical specialities, please click on the appropriate link below.