 |
Abdominal CT scan 02/23/2009
CT of the abdomen How the test is performed: You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Usually, you will lie on your back with your arms raised above the head. The health care provider may inject a dye into one of your veins.
|
|
Abdominal film 02/22/2009
Abdominal x-ray; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB How the test is performed: The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist. You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures.
|
|
Abdominal MRI scan 02/23/2009
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the abdomen is a noninvasive method to create detailed pictures of the inside of the belly area. Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic ( CT ) scans, which use radiation, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The MRI scanner contains the magnet. The magnetic field produced by an MRI is about 10 thousand times greater than the earth's. The magnetic field forces hydrogen atoms in the body to line up in a certain way (similar to how the needle on a compass moves when you hold it near a magnet).
|
|
Abdominal tap 07/07/2010
Peritoneal tap; Paracentesis How the test is performed: This test may be done in an office setting, treatment room, or hospital. The puncture site will be cleaned and shaved, if necessary. You then receive a local numbing medicine. The tap needle is inserted 1 - 2 inches into the abdomen. Sometimes a small cut is made to help insert the needle.
|
|
Abdominal ultrasound 10/29/2008
Ultrasound - abdomen; Abdominal sonogram How the test is performed: An ultrasound machine creates images that allow various organs in the body to be examined. The machine sends out high-frequency sound waves, which reflect off body structures to create a picture.
|
|
Abdominal wall fat pad biopsy 02/23/2009
Abdominal wall biopsy; Biopsy - abdominal wall fat pad How the test is performed: Needle aspiration is the most common method of obtaining an abdominal wall fat pad biopsy . The skin of the abdomen is cleansed, and a local anesthetic may be used to numb the area.
|
|
Abscess scan - radioactive 10/28/2008
Radioactive abscess scan; Abscess scan How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
|
|
ACE levels 11/15/2009
Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme; SACE How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
|
|
Acetylcholine receptor antibody 06/24/2009
Acetylcholine receptor antibody is a protein found in the blood of most people with myasthenia gravis. The antibody attacks receptors for a chemical called acetylcholine, which sends signals from nerves to muscles and between nerves in the brain. How the test is performed: Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
|
|
Acid loading test (pH) 12/02/2009
The acid loading test (pH) measures the ability of the kidney tubules to acidify urine when there is increased plasma acidity. See also: Urine pH How the test is performed: You'll be told to take ammonium chloride capsules by mouth for 3 days. Then, a urine and blood sample are taken. (The blood sample is needed to show that the ammonium chloride made the blood slightly acidic.) The laboratory measures the level of acid found in both samples. For information on how the urine and blood samples are obtained, see: Clean catch urine collection Venipuncture (blood draw) How to prepare for the test: Your doctor will tell you to take ammonium chloride capsules by mouth for 3 days prior to the test.
|
|
Acid mucopolysaccharides 05/20/2009
AMP; Dermatan sulfate - urine; Urine heparan sulfate; Urine dermatan sulfate; Heparan sulfate - urine How the test is performed: A 24-hour urine sample is needed. On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you get up in the morning.
|
|
Acid-fast stain 12/01/2009
The acid-fast stain is a laboratory test that determines if a sample of tissue, blood, or other body substance is infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis and other illnesses. How the test is performed: Your health care provider will collect a sample of blood, urine, stool, sputum, bone marrow, or tissue, depending on the location of the suspected infection. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where a small amount is placed on a glass slide, stained, and heated.
|
|
ACTH 10/14/2009
Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Highly-sensitive ACTH How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
|
|
ACTH (cosyntropin) stimulation test 10/14/2009
Tests of adrenal reserve; Cortrosyn stimulation test How the test is performed: The health care provider will measure the cortisol in your blood before and 60 minutes after an ACTH injection. Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
|
|
ADH 10/14/2009
Arginine vasopressin; Antidiuretic hormone; AVP; Vasopressin How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
|
|
Aerobic bacteria 05/21/2009
Aerobic bacteria are bacteria that can grow and live in the presence of oxygen. How the test is performed: How to prepare for the test: How the test will feel: Why the test is performed: Normal Values: What abnormal results mean: What the risks are: Special considerations: Review Date: 5/21/2009 Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.
|
|
Albumin - serum 02/23/2009
Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood. How the test is performed: A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture . The blood sample is placed in a machine called a centrifuge, which spins and separates the cells from the liquid part of the blood (the serum). How to prepare for the test: The health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test.
|
|
Aldolase test 10/26/2009
Aldolase is a protein (called an enzyme) that helps break down certain sugars into energy. It is found in high amounts in muscle tissue. A test can be done to measure the amount of aldolase in your blood. How the test is performed: Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
|
|
Aldosterone 07/25/2009
An aldosterone test measures the amount of the hormone aldosterone in blood. How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood. Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein.
|
|
Allergy testing 06/29/2010
Patch tests - allergy; Scratch tests - allergy; Skin tests - allergy; RAST test How the test is performed: There are many methods of allergy testing. Among the more common are: Skin tests Elimination-type tests Blood tests (including the radioallergosorbent, or RAST, test) SKIN TESTS Skin tests are the most common. Specific methods vary.
|
|
ALP 05/07/2009
Alkaline phosphatase How the test is performed: Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around your upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
|
|
ALP isoenzyme test 05/07/2009
Alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme test How the test is performed: Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
|
|
Alpha fetoprotein 09/02/2009
Fetal alpha globulin; AFP How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic).
|
|
Alpha-1 antitrypsin test 05/23/2010
A1AT test How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
|
|
ALT 02/22/2009
SGPT; Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase; Alanine transaminase; Alanine aminotransferasa How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
|
|
Result Pages:
|
