Frequent Laboratory Tests

By: Michelle Mader

            Having laboratory tests performed by your physician can sometimes be unsettling and cause concern.  But lab tests are important instruments in evaluating the status of one’s health.  While it is not always possible to diagnose or treat a disease or problem with a single blood test, even just a few tests can help detect potential diseases and or health issues in the early stages.  There are a few common tests that are performed on a regular basis:

• Glucose testing is the measure of the sugar level in the body.  The normal glucose range is 70-110 mg/dl.  A high value, which is anything more than 126, is associated with diabetes.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) test is used as a broad screening to check for disorders such as anemia, infections and other diseases.  Typically there are numerous tests that examine different parts of the blood which include: white and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and red cell distribution width.
• Urinalysis exams are typically conducted with a reagent strip that is briefly dipped into a urine sample.  The technician reads the colors of each test and compares them to a reference chart.  A urinalysis may cover the following: pH measures the amount of acid in your urine; Specific Gravity (SG) measures how diluted the urine is with water; a positive reading of Glucose in urine is typically found in patients with diabetes; Protein in the urine may indicate kidney damage, blood in the urine or an infection; Blood in the urine can also indicate an infection, kidney stones, bleeding from the bladder or a kidney tumor.
• Everyone over the age of 20 should get their cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years.  Lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the

risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease.  The cholesterol test evaluates the following: low density lipoprotein (LDL) which is also known as “bad” cholesterol; high density lipoprotein (HDL) known as “good” cholesterol; triglycerides; and total cholesterol levels.  If cholesterol levels are too high, various treatments may be recommended ranging from dietary and lifestyle changes to medication.

If you have questions or concerns regarding other laboratory test results consult your physician. 

Michelle Mader is the Director of Laboratory Services at Lock Haven Hospital.  For more information she may be reached at 893-5156.  Lock Haven Hospital offers three convenient locations for diagnostic lab procedures: at the hospital, the Lock Haven Diagnostic Center, 930 Bellefonte Ave., suite 107, phone 748-8970 and the Haven Medical Arts Building, 208 East Church Street, Suite 300, phone 749-0590.

Sources:

Amarillo Medical

www.anarillmed.com

Mayo Clinic

www.mayoclinic.com