Lesson Two - Tests
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Lab Tests
There are a variety of tests that are done in a lab. In addition to diagnosing conditions, they are often used to monitor a condition that has already been diagnosed. Just a few of them follow.
Click each collapsible row for more information. If you want to explore any of these tests even more, click on the hyperlinked name.
Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE)
Measures certain proteins in the liquid part of the blood to identify any issues. Too many or too few of these proteins can point to inflammation and markers for other conditions. This is the best way to confirm chronic inflammation.
Measures certain proteins in the liquid part of the blood to identify any issues. Too many or too few of these proteins can point to inflammation and markers for other conditions. This is the best way to confirm chronic inflammation.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
The liver naturally makes CRP when inflammation is present. High levels of CRP can be a result of a number of different inflammatory conditions. This is a very sensitive test for inflammation. Unfortunately, CRP levels will be elevated with both chronic and acute inflammation, so this test will not identify which type of inflammation is present.
This test is done as part of the diagnosis process for inflammation, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The liver naturally makes CRP when inflammation is present. High levels of CRP can be a result of a number of different inflammatory conditions. This is a very sensitive test for inflammation. Unfortunately, CRP levels will be elevated with both chronic and acute inflammation, so this test will not identify which type of inflammation is present.
This test is done as part of the diagnosis process for inflammation, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
This test is not a direct measure of inflammation. It is most often used as an aid in diagnosing and monitoring how a previously diagnosed inflammatory disease is progressing. Inflammation causes red blood cells to clump together which increases their density, causing them to settle to the bottom of a test tube faster than if there was no inflammation present. The more the red blood cells have settled at the end of an hour, the greater the inflammatory response.
This test is done to check for rheumatoid arthritis.
This test is not a direct measure of inflammation. It is most often used as an aid in diagnosing and monitoring how a previously diagnosed inflammatory disease is progressing. Inflammation causes red blood cells to clump together which increases their density, causing them to settle to the bottom of a test tube faster than if there was no inflammation present. The more the red blood cells have settled at the end of an hour, the greater the inflammatory response.
This test is done to check for rheumatoid arthritis.
Plasma Viscosity
Blood plasma is thickened by inflammation. The thicker the blood, the higher the inflammation.
Blood plasma is thickened by inflammation. The thicker the blood, the higher the inflammation.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity of the heart. The test is done by strapping electrodes to the patient's arms, legs, and chest. The electrodes are then hooked to a machine that makes tracings of the heart's electrical activity onto a paper. This is a short test usually taking about 5–10 minutes.
A doctor may order a 24 hour test in which the patient is hooked up to electrodes for 24 hours and carries a small portable computer that records the results of the test.
This test may be ordered when a doctor suspects hypertension, heart disease, or stroke.
An electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity of the heart. The test is done by strapping electrodes to the patient's arms, legs, and chest. The electrodes are then hooked to a machine that makes tracings of the heart's electrical activity onto a paper. This is a short test usually taking about 5–10 minutes.
A doctor may order a 24 hour test in which the patient is hooked up to electrodes for 24 hours and carries a small portable computer that records the results of the test.
This test may be ordered when a doctor suspects hypertension, heart disease, or stroke.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This is a common blood test done to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other cells in the blood.
It is completed when a patient presents with weakness, fatigue, or bruising.
This is a common blood test done to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other cells in the blood.
It is completed when a patient presents with weakness, fatigue, or bruising.
Prothrombin Time and International Normalized Ratio (INR)
This tests how quickly the patient's blood clots. If it is ordered to be done multiple times, it must be done at the same time of day each time it is administered because factors such as medication, hydration level, and even certain foods can affect the results.
This tests how quickly the patient's blood clots. If it is ordered to be done multiple times, it must be done at the same time of day each time it is administered because factors such as medication, hydration level, and even certain foods can affect the results.
ACPA or anti-CCP
This test looks for and measures cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies in the blood. According to the American College of Rheumatology, 95% of patients who test positive for these antibodies will be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the future.
This test looks for and measures cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies in the blood. According to the American College of Rheumatology, 95% of patients who test positive for these antibodies will be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the future.
Rheumatoid Factor
This blood test measures the RF antibody levels present in the blood. Normal antibodies help destroy and eliminate disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Rheumatoid factor antibodies attach themselves to normal body tissues and cause damage. High levels of RF antibodies can be caused by autoimmune diseases and some infections.
There are two tests that measure RF antibody levels.
This blood test measures the RF antibody levels present in the blood. Normal antibodies help destroy and eliminate disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Rheumatoid factor antibodies attach themselves to normal body tissues and cause damage. High levels of RF antibodies can be caused by autoimmune diseases and some infections.
There are two tests that measure RF antibody levels.
- Agglutination tests: This test mixes blood with tiny latex beads that are covered with human antibodies. If RF is present, the latex beads clump together. This test can also be done using sheep's blood cells covered with rabbit antibodies rather than the latex beads. If RF is present the sheep’s blood cells will clump together.
- Nephelometry test: This test mixes the blood that is being tested with antibodies that cause the blood to clump if RF is present. As more RF is present, more blood clumps. The result is a cloudiness in the blood sample when a laser light is shone on the tube.
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) or Random Blood Sugar (RBS)
Fasting blood sugar is usually the first test done to determine if someone has diabetes. In this blood test, blood glucose is measured after a patient has not eaten for at least eight hours.
Random blood sugar, also called a casual blood glucose test, is done at random times of the day. A healthy person will not have much variation of blood glucose levels throughout the day. However, a person with diabetes will have greater fluctuations throughout the day. This means that several RBS tests done at various times of day and that vary widely could be an indication that follow up is needed.
Fasting blood sugar is usually the first test done to determine if someone has diabetes. In this blood test, blood glucose is measured after a patient has not eaten for at least eight hours.
Random blood sugar, also called a casual blood glucose test, is done at random times of the day. A healthy person will not have much variation of blood glucose levels throughout the day. However, a person with diabetes will have greater fluctuations throughout the day. This means that several RBS tests done at various times of day and that vary widely could be an indication that follow up is needed.
Hemoglobin A1c
This test can also be called glycated hemoglobin A1c or glycohemoglobin A1c. This test measures the glucose that is attached to the red blood cells. Glucose that is unable to enter other body cells binds to red blood cells at a steady rate. Since red blood cells last for 3–4 months, this test can give a doctor a good idea of how well blood sugar was controlled for the last 2–3 months.
This is a good test to diagnose or see how well diabetes is controlled over time.
This test can also be called glycated hemoglobin A1c or glycohemoglobin A1c. This test measures the glucose that is attached to the red blood cells. Glucose that is unable to enter other body cells binds to red blood cells at a steady rate. Since red blood cells last for 3–4 months, this test can give a doctor a good idea of how well blood sugar was controlled for the last 2–3 months.
This is a good test to diagnose or see how well diabetes is controlled over time.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
This test is most commonly used to diagnose gestational diabetes, or diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. This test is a series of blood glucose measurements taken after the patient drinks a high glucose drink.
This test is most commonly used to diagnose gestational diabetes, or diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. This test is a series of blood glucose measurements taken after the patient drinks a high glucose drink.
Blood Test
A blood test may be done to determine what a patient is allergic to. When performing this test, the lab will look for different antibodies which can help identify what the patient is allergic to.
A blood test may be done to determine what a patient is allergic to. When performing this test, the lab will look for different antibodies which can help identify what the patient is allergic to.