What are Blood tests?
Your evaluation can include conducting different Blood Tests including (but not limited to) cell counts, assessing various blood chemistries, and inflammation markers. We can calculate several things like salts, blood cell counts and heart-specific protein markers (one is called BNP) in your blood. Additional tests can include blood chemistries, liver and kidney function evaluations, and genetic studies). In certain cases, it may be advised to do genetic testing. We may also ask you to join our ongoing studies by enabling us to collect and store some of your blood for further study.
Types of Blood Count test:
- Antinuclear antibody: An antinuclear antibody is a diagnostic test that tests blood levels of antibodies, frequently found in people with rheumatic disease.
- Blood chemistry: A blood chemistry test is a process in which blood samples are tested to determine the concentrations of certain substances released into the blood from organs and tissues in the body. An excessive quantity of material (higher or lower than normal) may be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that makes it.
- Blood lipid profile: A blood lipid profile measures the levels of each type of fat in your blood: total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and others.
- BNP testing: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing is a Blood Test showing the BNP hormone level. BNP is released from the ventricles (heart pumping chambers) in response to increased Stress in the wall that occurs with heart failure.
- Complement: A Blood Test assessing complement level, a group of proteins in the blood; low blood supplement levels are correlated with immune disorders.
- Complete blood count (CBC): A complete blood count (CBC) measures the size, number, and maturity of the different blood cells in a specific volume of blood. This is one of the most common tests performed.
- Creatinine: A creatinine is a Blood Test used to determine underlying kidney disease.
- C-reactive protein (CRP): A Blood Test to help detect the presence of inflammation or an infection.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): Erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) is an indicator of how fast red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. When swelling and inflammation occur, the proteins in the blood clump together and get heavier than normal. Thus they fall and settle more easily at the bottom of the test tube when weighed. In general, the quicker the cells fall in the blood, the more serious the inflammation.
- Faecal occult Blood Test (FOBT): A faecal occult Blood Test (FOBT) is a test that can only be used with a microscope to search stool (solid waste) for blood. Small stool samples are placed on special cards and returned for examination to the doctor or laboratory.
- Genetic studies: Genetic studies are Diagnostic Tests that evaluate for conditions that have a tendency to run in families.
- Hematocrit: A hematocrit tests the number of red blood cells contained in a blood sample. In humans with inflammatory arthritis and rheumatic diseases, low levels of red blood cells (anaemia) are normal.
- Serum bilirubin test: This test tests bilirubin levels in the blood. The liver produces bilirubin, which is excreted in the bile. Elevated bilirubin levels may suggest an obstruction of bile flow or a liver problem in bile production.
- Serum albumin test: This test is used to measure albumin levels (the protein in the blood) and to help diagnose liver disease.
- Serum alkaline phosphatase test: This test is used to measure the level of alkaline phosphatase (an enzyme) in the blood. Alkaline phosphatase is found in many tissues, with the highest concentrations in the liver, biliary tract, and bone. This test may be performed to assess liver functioning and to detect liver lesions that may cause biliary obstruction, such as tumours or abscesses.
- Serum aminotransferases (transaminases): This enzyme is released from damaged liver cells.
- Prothrombin time (PTT) test: The prothrombin time test measures how long it takes for blood to clot. Blood clotting requires vitamin K and a protein that is made by the liver. Prolonged clotting may indicate liver disease or other deficiencies in specific clotting factors.
- Alanine transaminase (ALT) test: This test measures the level of alanine aminotransferase (an enzyme found predominantly in the liver) that is released into the bloodstream after acute liver cell damage. This test may be performed to assess liver function, and/or to evaluate treatment of acute liver disease, such as hepatitis.
- Aspartate transaminase (AST) test: This test measures the level of aspartate transaminase (an enzyme that is found in the liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart, skeletal muscle, and red blood cells) that is released into the bloodstream after liver or heart problems.
- Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase test: This test measures the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (an enzyme that is produced in the liver, pancreas, and biliary tract). This test is often performed to assess liver function, to provide information about liver diseases, and to detect Alcohol ingestion.
- Lactic dehydrogenase test: This test can detect tissue damage and aids in the diagnosis of liver disease. Lactic dehydrogenase is a type of protein (also called an isoenzyme) that is involved in the body’s metabolic process.
- 5′-nucleotidase test: This test measures the levels of 5′-nucleotidase (an enzyme specific to the liver). The 5′-nucleotidase level is elevated in persons with liver diseases, especially those diseases associated with cholestasis (disruption in the formation of, or obstruction in the flow of bile).
- Alpha-fetoprotein test: Alpha-fetoprotein (a specific blood protein) is produced by fetal tissue and by tumours. This test may be performed to monitor the effectiveness of therapy in certain cancers, such as hepatomas.
- Mitochondrial antibodies test: The presence of these antibodies can indicate primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, and certain other autoimmune disorders.
- Peripheral blood smear: Blast cell tests, amount and types of white blood cells, amount of Platelets and variations in the form of the blood cells are tested during this process.
- Rheumatoid factor (RF): This Blood Test measures the presence of rheumatoid factor in the blood, an antibody present in most people with rheumatoid arthritis, and other rheumatic conditions.
