Individual tests

The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) checks stool samples for hidden (occult) blood. Occult blood in the stool may indicate colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum — though not all cancers or polyps bleed. If blood is detected through a fecal occult blood test, additional tests such as a colonoscopy may help determine the source of the bleeding. The fecal occult blood test can only detect the presence or absence of blood — it can't determine what's causing the bleeding.
T3 is one of two major hormones from your thyroid that regulates how your body uses energy. It's also important in controlling your weight, body temperature, muscle strength, and nervous system. This test measures free circulating T3, excluding that bound to carrier proteins. It aids diagnosis of, or following the treatment for, hyperthyroidism.
Free T4 is the active form of the thyroxine hormone that enters your tissues where needed. Your thyroid, which controls how your body uses energy, produces thyroxine. These hormones affect your weight, heart, body temperature, muscle strength, and mood. A T4 test checks how well your thyroid is working.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a protein that helps regulate immune responses, which makes the IL-6 test potentially useful as a marker of immune system activation. This test may be used to help evaluate a person who has a condition associated with inflammation, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or with infections like sepsis.
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