Individual tests

PTH is a hormone your parathyroid glands make, which helps control the calcium level in your blood. If calcium blood levels are too low, your parathyroid glands will release PTH to raise calcium levels. If calcium levels are too high, these glands will stop making PTH. This test helps diagnose hyperparathyroidism (too much PTH) and hypoparathyroidism (too little PTH), monitor kidney disease, and determine whether high calcium blood levels relate to parathyroid glands.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is synthesized and secreted by gonadotropes in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Along with the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), it is essential for proper reproductive function. In females, an acute rise of LH triggers ovulation; in males, it stimulates Leydig cell production of testosterone. This test typically finds the cause of infertility or irregular or stopped menstrual periods.
Lipase is a digestive enzyme that helps your body digest fats. It is mostly produced by the pancreas, which, if damaged, will release larger amounts of lipase. High levels in your blood may indicate pancreatitis or another pancreatic disease. A lipase test can help diagnose these conditions and others.
Progesterone is a hormone from the ovaries. During a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone prepares your uterus for pregnancy. This test is useful for those having trouble getting pregnant, undergoing fertility treatment, or experiencing abnormal bleeding when not pregnant.
Prolactin is a pituitary gland hormone that causes the breasts to grow and produce milk. If prolactin levels are higher than normal, it often means there is a type of tumor of the pituitary gland. This test is often used to diagnose a prolactinoma, find the cause of a woman's menstrual irregularities and/or infertility, or determine the reason for a man's low sex drive and/or erectile dysfunction.
SHBG is a protein that attaches to sex hormones in your blood. When the SHBG protein binds to sex hormones, your tissues can't use those hormones. Your tissues can only use free sex hormones that aren't attached to SHBG. The test is most often used to gather information about how testosterone is working in the body.
T3 is one of two major hormones made by your thyroid, a small gland located near the throat. It helps regulate your energy use, weight, body temperature, muscle strength, and nervous system. This test helps diagnose, assess and monitor thyroid disorders, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid gland and aids diagnoses of pituitary gland disorders.
Thyroxine (T4) is a thyroid hormone affecting your weight, heart, body temperature, and muscle strength. A T4 test can check how well your thyroid is working. It also helps diagnose and monitor thyroid disease and conditions like an underactive or overactive thyroid.
Testosterone is known as a "male" sex hormone, but females have testosterone in smaller amounts. Testosterone causes body hair, muscle growth, and a deepened voice after puberty in males. It controls sex drive, maintains muscle mass, and helps make sperm. In females, testosterone is important for the growth of bones and muscles. A testosterone levels test may help diagnose early or delayed puberty.
Thyroglobulin is a thyroid protein. This test is mostly used to monitor, but not to diagnose, patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancers. The measurement of thyroglobulin after thyroidectomy and ablation of the thyroid gland is useful for determining metastasis. It may also help diagnose hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, which are common non-cancer thyroid conditions.
Thyroglobulin is a protein that your thyroid produces. Antithyroglobulin antibodies can indicate thyroid gland damage caused by the immune system. They may be measured in suspected cases of thyroid inflammation. Measuring thyroglobulin antibody levels after thyroid cancer treatment can help your provider monitor recurrence.
Antibodies are immune system proteins that fight foreign substances like viruses and bacteria. Sometimes antibodies attack the body's cells, tissues, and organs by mistake, known as an autoimmune response. When thyroid antibodies attack healthy thyroid cells, it can lead to Hashimoto's or autoimmune thyroiditis. This test measures the level of thyroid antibodies in your blood.
Bilirubin is a substance produced when old red blood cells are broken down. It mainly exists in two forms in the blood, unconjugated or indirect bilirubin, and conjugated or direct bilirubin. Typically, your liver removes most of the substance from your body. If your liver is damaged or red blood cells are being destroyed faster than normal, excess bilirubin is released into the bloodstream, which can cause your skin and eyes to turn yellow. If jaundice is suspected, a bilirubin blood test can help determine if there is liver disease or hemolysis.
Protein is an essential part of cells and tissue. There are two main classes of protein called albumin and globulin. Albumin helps prevent fluid from leaking out of blood vessels, while globulins are important for your immune system. High protein levels can place a burden on your kidneys, liver, and bones, as well as potentially increase your risk of heart disease and cancer. A lack of protein can produce several symptoms, including illness, increased infections, and reduced muscle mass.
There are two major proteins in the blood. Albumin helps keep blood from leaking out of blood vessels and moves other important substances throughout the body, while globulins help fight infection and move nutrients throughout the body. The A/G ratio compares the amount of albumin in your blood to the amount of globulin. This test helps diagnose kidney disease, liver disease, or nutritional problems.
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