Medical Laboratory Tests: The most requested
Medical laboratory tests play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of various health conditions. These tests provide critical information about a person’s health, such as the levels of certain substances in the blood, the functioning of various organs, and the presence of infections or diseases. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 most commonly requested medical laboratory tests, their purpose, and how they help healthcare professionals make informed decisions about a patient’s health. From the Complete Blood Count (CBC) to the Urinalysis, this overview will provide a comprehensive understanding of these essential diagnostic tools.
Commonly Requested Medical Laboratory Tests
Here’s a list of 10 of the most commonly requested medical laboratory tests:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Lipid profile
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
- Creatinine
- Prothrombin time (PT)
- Liver function tests (LFTs)
- Fasting glucose
- Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C)
- Urinalysis
Complete Blood Count (CBC):
CBC is nearly the most commonly requested medical laboratory test. It measures cellular components of the blood and some other blood parameters, including the number of red and white blood cells, and the number of the platelet in a sample of blood. It also measures the blood hemoglobin. It’s used to screen for various conditions, such as anemia, infections, and blood disorders.
Lipid profile:
A lipid profile is a group of tests that measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. It helps assess the risk of developing heart disease and can be used to monitor the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering treatments.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH):
The TSH test measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood, which is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the function of the thyroid gland. TSH levels can indicate whether a person has hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
Basic metabolic panel (BMP):
The BMP is a group of tests that measures the levels of glucose, electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride), and kidney function (such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen). It is used to screen for various conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease.
Creatinine:
The creatinine test measures the level of creatinine in the blood, which is a waste product produced by the muscles and filtered by the kidneys. Elevated levels of creatinine may indicate kidney disease or dysfunction.
Prothrombin time (PT):
The PT test measures the time it takes for blood to clot and is used to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin.
Liver function tests (LFTs):
LFTs are a group of tests that measure the levels of various enzymes and proteins produced by the liver, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Elevated levels can indicate liver damage or disease.
Fasting glucose:
The fasting glucose test measures the level of glucose in the blood after an 8-hour fast. It is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C):
The HbA1C test measures the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months by measuring the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that has glucose attached to it. It is used to monitor the effectiveness of diabetes treatment.
Urinalysis:
The urinalysis test is a comprehensive examination of a urine sample that can help diagnose various conditions, including infections, kidney disease, and diabetes. It can also detect the presence of certain drugs in the body.
Table summary for Top 10 Medical Laboratory Tests
| Test Name | Purpose | Indications |
|---|---|---|
| CBC | Screen for various conditions such as anemia, infections, and blood disorders. | Number of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets in a sample of blood |
| Lipid profile | Assess the risk of developing heart disease and monitor cholesterol-lowering treatments | Levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood |
| TSH | Diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism | Level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood |
| BMP | Screen for various conditions including diabetes and kidney disease | Levels of glucose, electrolytes, and kidney function |
| Creatinine | Monitor kidney disease or dysfunction | Level of creatinine in the blood |
| PT | Monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulant medications | Time it takes for blood to clot |
| LFTs | Indicate liver damage or disease | Levels of enzymes and proteins produced by the liver |
| Fasting glucose | Diagnose and monitor diabetes | Level of glucose in the blood after an 8-hour fast |
| HbA1C | Monitor the effectiveness of diabetes treatment | Average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months |
| Urinalysis | Diagnose various conditions including infections, kidney disease, and diabetes and detect the presence of certain drugs in the body | Comprehensive examination of a urine sample |
SUMMARY
medical laboratory tests are a crucial part of the healthcare system and provide valuable information to healthcare professionals in their diagnosis and treatment of various health conditions. The top 10 most commonly requested tests include the Complete Blood Count (CBC), Lipid Profile, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test, Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), Creatinine, Prothrombin time (PT), Liver function tests (LFTs), Fasting Glucose, Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and Urinalysis. These tests help assess the health of different aspects of the body, from the blood cells to kidney function, and provide a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s health status.
