ANA: Antinuclear antibodies - general screening tool for connective tissue diseases and can be extremely useful in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

ASO: Anti streptolysin O - screens for primary infections, such as pharyngitis or impetigo and post-streptococcal infections, such as rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis.

CBC: Complete blood count - very important in the diagnosis and monitoring of many disease states, such as infections, leukemia, and anemia.

CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen - used in monitoring of patients with digestive tract cancers and in the management of breast, lung, prostatic, pancreatic and ovarian cancer.

Chemistry Profile: Several profiles are available which may evaluate kidney and liver functions, electrolytes, blood sugar, and lipid status (cholesterol and triglyceride).

Clostridum Difficile Toxin: A cause of diarrhea in patients who have had prolonged use of antibiotics. Rapid intervention many prevent progression to advanced stages of Clostridium difficile-associated diseases and their complications.

Coronary Risk Profile: Consists of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and various calculations. Results may be used along with known factors about the patient’s lifestyle to make a prediction as to the risk for heart disease.

Differential: To determine number and category of white blood cells.

Electrolytes: One of the most common uses of electrolytes is in the determination of dehydration which can be a result of profuse perspiration, vomiting, and diarrhea. Includes sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide.

Ferritin: Major iron storage compound whose levels are used as early indicators of many diseases, including iron deficiency and rheumatoid arthritis.

Giardia Specific Antigen: Giardiasis is the most prevalent parasitic disease in the US and is responsible for an estimated 100 million mild infections and one million severe infections each year.

Glucose: Body’s major energy source. Test may be ordered for the diagnosis and follow-up care of such abnormalities as diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Glycohemoglobin: Means of monitoring overall diabetic control over the past 3-4 months.

Iron: Most important of the trace elements and an essential part of hemoglobin. If iron becomes insufficient, iron deficiency anemia may occur. If too much is ingested, acute iron poisoning may occur.

Lead: One of the most common metallic poisons. Lead interferes with the biosynthesis of hemoglobin, which then results in anemia.

Mono Screen: Determines if a person has the Epstein-Barr virus, which is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis.

Neonatal Bilirubin: Performed on infants 21 days old or younger, who are suspected of having hyperbilirubinemia (characterized by jaundice, a yellowish pigmentation of the skin).

Occult Blood - Stool: Tests for occult or "hidden" blood in the stool which may be a result of gastrointestinal lesions.

Ova and Parasites: Used in cases of extreme diarrhea to determine if the diarrhea is caused by a parasitic infection or by the detection of the parasite itself and/or ova.

PSA: Prostatic specific antigen - used in the detection of metastatic or persistent disease following surgical or medical treatment of prostate cancer. Used as a screening test for prostatic cancer, in conjunction with rectal digital examination and ultrasound study.

RA Screen: Rheumatoid arthritis screen - information can help your physician effectively minimize a patient’s inflammation.

RPR: Rapid plasma reagin - used in the detection of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease.

Rubella IgG: Used to aid in the determination of a patient’s immune status. Pregnant women are often required to have this test to ensure that they have immunity to the virus which can help protect the fetus from inutero infections.

Thyroid Screen: The thyroid gland secretes two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which primarily help in growth development and sexual maturity, as well as stimulate heart contractions, maintain body weight and help degenerate cholesterol and triglycerides.

Toxo IgG: Determines antibodies to toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis is acquired through the ingestion of cat feces or undercooked meats infected with the cysts of the parasite. This test is commonly ordered on pregnant women.

Urinalysis: Screening tests for detection a variety of renal, urinary tract, and systemic diseases.

Urine Culture: Enables the physician to determine what is causing the infections and what antibiotics can be used in the patient’s treatment.

Vitamin B1 2 and Folate: Determines deficiencies that can result in megaloblastic anemia.

If you have any questions as to why a particular test has been ordered, or what the significance of your results is, it is always wise to consult your physician.