Health Library
The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Test
- Albumin Test
- Albumin-Creatinine Ratio Test
- Aldosterone Test
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Test
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test
- Ammonia Test
- Amylase Test
- Anal Pap Test
- Antibiotic Sensitivity Test
- Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test
- Antisperm Antibody Test
- Antithyroid Antibodies Test
- Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) Test
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Test
- Autoimmune Disease Tests
- Bacterial Vaginosis Tests
- Bilirubin Test
- Blood Alcohol Test
- Blood Culture
- Blood Smear Test
- Blood Tests (General)
- Blood Type Test
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test
- Body Fluids Tests
- Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test
- C-Peptide Test
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test
- C. Difficile Toxins Test
- Calcium (Ca) Test
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Test
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) Test
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Test
- Cardiac Enzyme Studies
- Catecholamines Test
- CBC (Complete Blood Count)
- Celiac Disease Antibodies Tests
- Chemistry Screens
- Chloride (Cl) Test
- Cold Agglutinins Test
- Complement Test
- Coombs Test
- Cortisol Test
- COVID-19 Antibody Test
- COVID-19 Testing
- Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance Tests
- CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone) Stimulation Test
- Cystic Fibrosis Testing
- D-Dimer Test
- D-Xylose Absorption Test
- DHEA-S Test
- Dialysis Adequacy Tests
- Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Tests
- Estrogen Test
- Expressed Prostatic Secretions Test
- Ferritin Test
- Flu (Influenza) Test
- Folate Test
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test
- Fungal Culture
- Galactosemia Test
- Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Test
- Gastrin Test
- Giardiasis Testing
- Gram Stain
- Growth Hormone Test
- H. Pylori Test
- Hair Analysis
- Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Test
- Hepatitis Tests
- High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Test
- HIV Drug Resistance Testing
- Homocysteine Blood Test
- Hormone Inhibin A Test
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Test
- Immunoglobulin Test
- Iron (Fe) Test
- Joint Fluid Analysis
- Karyotype Test
- Ketone Testing
- Kidney Stone Analysis
- KOH Preparation
- Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LDH) Test
- Lactic Acid Test
- Latent Tuberculosis Tests
- Lead Test
- Lipase Blood Test
- Lupus Antibody Tests
- Lupus Tests
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test
- Lyme Disease Tests
- Magnesium (Mg) Test
- Malnutrition Tests
- Medicine Blood Level Test
- Mononucleosis Tests
- Myoglobin Test
- Nicotine Tests
- Overnight Dexamethasone Suppression Test
- Pap Test
- Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Test
- Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) Test
- Pathology Tests
- Phenylketonuria (PKU) Test
- Phosphate Test
- Pinworm Test
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test
- Post-Diagnosis HIV Tests
- Potassium (K) Test
- Prealbumin Blood Test
- Progesterone Test
- Prolactin Blood Test
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
- Protein Urine Test
- Prothrombin Time (PT/INR) Test
- Rapid Sputum Test
- RBC Antibody Screen
- Renin Blood Test
- Reticulocyte Count
- Rh Antibodies Screening
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test
- Rubella Test
- Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate) Test
- Septic Workup
- Serum Osmolality Test
- Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) Test
- Skin and Wound Cultures
- Sodium (Na) Test
- Sputum Culture
- Sputum Cytology
- Stool Analysis
- Strep Test
- Testosterone Test
- Throat Culture
- Tissue Type Test
- Total Serum Protein Test
- Toxicology Tests
- Toxoplasmosis Test
- Tuberculin Skin Test
- Uric Acid Test
- Urine Culture
- Urine Test (Urinalysis)
- Urine Tests (Deprecate)
- Vaginal Wet Mount
- Viral Culture
- Viral Loads
- Viral Tests
- Vitamin B12 Test
- Vitamin D Test
- White Blood Cell Differential
Lab Tests
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An adrenocorticotropic hormone test measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood to check for problems with the pituitary gland and adrenal glands. ACTH is made in the pituitary gland in response to the release of another hormone, called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), by the...
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An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. ALT is found mainly in the liver, but also in smaller amounts in the kidneys, heart, muscles, and pancreas. ALT was formerly called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). ALT is measured to see if the liver is damaged or...
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Discusses a test that checks urine for a protein called albumin. Covers possible kidney damage and diabetes. Explains how test is done. Discusses normal and abnormal values from the test. Covers what affects the test.
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An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test measures the amount of the enzyme ALP in the blood. ALP is made mostly in the liver and in bone with some made in the intestines and kidneys. It also is made by the placenta of a pregnant woman. The liver makes more ALP than the other organs or the bones. Some conditions cause large...
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Guides you through the decision to have screening tests to look for Down syndrome and birth defects. Discusses what the tests look for. Covers benefits and risks. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
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An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test checks the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance made in the liver of an unborn baby (fetus). The amount of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman can help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida and anencephaly. An AFP test can also be done...
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An ammonia test measures the amount of ammonia in the blood. Most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine. Ammonia levels in the blood rise when the liver is not able to convert ammonia to urea...
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An amylase test measures the amount of this enzyme in a sample of blood taken from a vein or in a sample of urine. Normally, only low levels of amylase are found in the blood or urine. But if the pancreas or salivary glands become damaged or blocked, more amylase is usually released into the blood and urine. In the...
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An antibiotic sensitivity (or susceptibility) test is done to help choose the antibiotic that will be most effective against the specific types of bacteria or fungus infecting an individual person. Some types of bacteria or fungus are resistant to...
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Antibody tests are a set of blood tests that check for specific antibodies to help clarify the diagnosis of lupus. They include: Anti-dsDNA (antibodies to DNA). Antinuclear antibody (ANA) Anti-RNP. Anti-Smith (Sm). Anti-SS-A (also called Ro)....
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An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test measures the amount and pattern of antibodies in your blood that work against your own body (autoimmune reaction). The body's immune system normally attacks and destroys foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. But in disorders known as autoimmune diseases, the immune system...
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An antisperm antibody test looks for special proteins ( antibodies) that fight against a man's sperm in blood, vaginal fluids, or semen. The test uses a sample of sperm and adds a substance that binds only to affected sperm. Semen can cause an immune system response in either the man's or woman's body. The...
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Thyroid antibody tests measure the levels of antibodies that can destroy thyroid tissue or make the cells produce thyroid hormones. They are blood tests. Antibodies that destroy thyroid tissue can lead to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Antibodies that make the cells produce thyroid hormone can lead to...
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An arterial blood gases (ABG) test measures the acidity ( pH) and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. This test is used to find out how well your lungs are able to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. As blood passes through your lungs, oxygen moves...
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An aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. AST is normally found in red blood cells, liver, heart, muscle tissue, pancreas, and kidneys. AST formerly was called serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Low levels of AST are normally found in the blood. When body...
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Tests for autoimmune diseases measure the amount of certain antibodies in your blood. Your body makes antibodies to attack and destroy substances such as bacteria and viruses. But in autoimmune diseases, the antibodies attack and destroy your body's tissues. This can lead to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis...
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Tests for bacterial vaginosis take samples of fluid from the vagina. The samples are looked at under a microscope to see if they show signs of infection. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a change in the balance of bacteria in the vagina. Normally, there are a lot of "good" bacteria and some "bad" bacteria in the...
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A bilirubin test measures the amount of bilirubin in a blood sample. Bilirubin is a brownish yellow substance found in bile. It is produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells. Bilirubin is then removed from the body through the stool (feces) and gives stool its normal color. Bilirubin circulates in the...
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A blood alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol (ethanol) in your body. Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the blood and can be measured within minutes of having an alcoholic drink. The amount of alcohol in the blood reaches its highest level about an hour after drinking. But food in the stomach may increase the...
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Blood normally doesn't have any bacteria or fungi in it. A blood culture is a test of a blood sample to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection. A bacterial infection in the blood, called bacteremia, can be serious. That's because the blood can spread the bacteria to any part of the...
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Doctors use thick and thin blood smears to determine whether you have malaria. If one test is negative and no parasites are found, you will have repeated blood smears every 8 hours for a couple of days to confirm that there is no malaria infection. Blood smears are taken most often from a finger prick. Thick and thin...
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Find out which types of medicines require a regular blood test and why.
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Learn what to expect when your child gets a blood test.
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Learn what to expect when you have a blood test.
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A complete blood count (CBC) gives important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps your doctor check any symptoms that you may have, such as weakness, fatigue, or bruising. A CBC also helps him or her diagnose conditions...