Why get tested? T4 free test measures the thyroxine levels in blood samples and it is one of the main tests to help diagnose hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Thyroxine or T4 is one of the main thyroid hormones. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) are the most significant thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate the metabolism of the body, the process that converts food into energy. What is being tested? The free T4 test measures the levels of unbound T4 and this measurement is more accurate than that for bound T4. Free T4 is different from bound T4 in that free T4 enters the tissues of the body where it is required, whereas, bound T4 attaches to the proteins which prevent it from entering the tissues in the body. Free T4 circulates freely and it is not bound to proteins. Preparation needed? The T4 blood test does not require specific preparation but let the doctor know if you take any supplements and medicines that may affect the result of the test. Fasting required? No
Read moreWhy get tested? Amphetamines test detects amphetamine drugs and their metabolites in urine samples. Methamphetamines drugs also change to amphetamines in the body. Amphetamine is a stimulant of the central nervous system. Though there are medical uses for amphetamines, they are amongst the most frequently misused drugs. Misuse of amphetamines has adverse effects on health, such as the most significant effects are acne, blurred vision, and restlessness. Moreover, the rarer side effects of amphetamines experienced by the patients are psychosis, heart problems, and seizures. What is being tested? Amphetamines are drugs and they can be illegal or legal. It is legal to use amphetamines when they are prescribed by a healthcare practitioner to relieve health problems. Amphetamines which are prescribed by the healthcare practitioner are used to treat narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity. Just as with several other drugs, the drawback of using amphetamines is the risk of addiction. Preparation needed? No Fasting required? No
Why get tested? The amylase test is used to diagnose and monitor pancreatitis disease conditions. Though the amylase test is mainly used for diagnosing pancreatitis, high amylase levels are reported in other disease conditions too, so it is possible to have high amylase without having pancreatitis. The amylase test is also sometimes used to monitor and diagnose chronic pancreatitis and other abnormalities of the pancreas. Pancreatitis patients have enhanced levels of amylase enzyme in the serum. What is being tested? The amylase test is an enzyme test as amylase is an enzyme in the body. Amylase is an enzyme. Thus, its purpose is to aid the digestive system and to fasten the process of digestion of carbohydrates. It converts complex carbohydrate molecules into simple sugars. Abnormally high amylase is a symptom of pancreatitis. Intense pancreatitis can elevate the amylase levels so that they get four to six times more than the upper range of the normal spectrum. Other conditions, such as pancreatic cancer also raise the amylase count. There are three types of amylase enzymes. The ptyalin amylase is secreted by the salivary glands, whereas the pancreatic amylase is formed by the pancreas which gives it off into the small intestine. Fruits and vegetables also contain the amylase enzyme. Amylase enzymes found in bananas and mangoes cause them to ripen. Amylase enzyme also imparts flavor to the fruits and vegetables in which it is present. Many microorganisms also produce amylase to break down the starch molecules outside the cells. Preparation needed? A specific preparation is not required for the amylase test but tell the doctor if you take any medicines or supplements. Fasting required? Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before having amylase urine or blood test. If you are having an amylase blood test, the doctor may tell you to fast (not drink or eat) for 2 hours before the test.
Why get tested? The b-HCG test identifies pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, a failing pregnancy, and the age of the fetus, it confirms and monitors a pregnancy. It also identifies ectopic pregnancy. This test is a part of panels that screen for any abnormalities in the fetus. Moreover, it is used to screen women for pregnancy before they can receive certain medical treatments. HCG levels increase in cases of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and cancer of the uterus (choriocarcinoma). Moreover, HCG levels tend to increase in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcers, and cirrhosis. After a miscarriage, there is a significant drop in HCG levels. What is being tested? The b-HCG test is a hormone test as b-HCG is a hormone that forms during pregnancy. This hormone is synthesized by the cells in the developing placenta. HCG could be identified in the blood samples 11 days after pregnancy. The count of HCG continues to increase every 48-72 hours and they are maximum after 8-11 weeks of pregnancy. After that, the HCG levels start to drop and reach a steady level for the remaining duration. Preparation needed? For a urine test, it is compulsory to not drink large quantities of fluid before submitting a sample, as dilute urine may give incorrect results in the b-HCG test, a false negative. But there isn’t any preparation required for the b-HCG blood test. Fasting required? It is required not to drink water in large quantities before the b-HCG test.
Why get tested? Barbiturates test identifies the barbiturate drugs in urine samples. These drugs are a category of commonly misused drugs. The main reason for their misuse is to counteract the symptoms due to other drugs. These drugs are not generally prescribed these days, and benzodiazepines are used as an alternative as they are relatively safer, though they can still be addictive. Barbiturates drugs are also used in medical treatments but their overdose leads to addiction which has risks to health. What is being tested? Barbiturates drugs are also used in medical treatments but their overdose leads to addiction which has risks to health. The Barbiturates test identifies addiction to barbiturates and the overdose of medicines containing barbiturates. Barbiturates are also called central nervous system depressants. They increase the activity of the GABA neurotransmitter that hinders the action of the brain's nerve cells. GABA is gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that inhibits the activity of the nerve cells of neurons. Barbiturates are classified into four categories based on the effect of their use as some barbiturates have long-lasting impacts on health. Following are the four types of barbiturates: Ultra short-acting: For instance thiopental, methohexital Short-acting: For instance secobarbital, pentobarbital Intermediate-acting: For instance butabarbital, amobarbital Long-acting: For instance primidone, phenobarbital Preparation needed? No Fasting required? No
Why get tested? One of the sets of drugs whose misuse is harmful to health is called benzodiazepines. Healthcare practitioners prescribe the benzodiazepines test if there are any signs of misuse of benzodiazepines-containing medicines. Moreover, this test is also prescribed if the healthcare practitioner suspects an accidental overdose of this drug. The benzodiazepines drug test screens for the following drugs: Phencyclidine Marijuana Barbiturates Amphetamines Cocaine Opioids What is being tested? The benzodiazepines test is a urine test that identifies benzodiazepine medicine and its metabolites. Benzodiazepines are medications used to ease anxiety, prevent seizures, support sleep, relax spasms of muscles, and sedate patients but overdose or misuse of them is harmful to health. Preparation needed? Benzodiazepines test does not require any specific preparation, however, you have to inform the healthcare provider about all the supplements, vitamins, herbs, and medicines that you are taking. Taking sertraline can cause a false positive result in the benzodiazepines drug test. Fasting required? No
Why get tested? The Bilirubin test measures the level of bilirubin compound in the blood specimens. It is a common test to check the health of the liver and it diagnoses jaundice in infants and adults. Bilirubin is a waste product that must not be present in excess in the body. High bilirubin levels could be due to diseases such as liver, hepatitis, bile duct diseases, anemia, and jaundice. What is being tested? Bilirubin abbreviation is TBIL, that is, total bilirubin. The total bilirubin test is a significant test for analyzing the function of the liver. High bilirubin levels may occur in newborns, children, as well as adults. High bilirubin count in a newborn is normal as it is a consequence of the stress of birth. Bilirubin is a pigment having a yellow color. It is a waste product that forms through the breakdown of the hemoglobin protein present in the old red blood cells (RBCs) and it is present in the stool and blood. The liver has a significant role in the processing and excretion of bilirubin. Preparation needed? Certain prescription medicines may also interfere with the results of the bilirubin test, so you must consult with your healthcare practitioner to avoid taking any medications that may affect the test’s results. Fasting required? It is required not to drink or eat anything, except for water, for 4 hours before submitting the sample for the bilirubin test.
Why get tested? Even at moderate and low doses, BUP misuse causes respiratory depression or euphoria. Buprenorphine overdose induces shallow and slow breathing, convulsions, clammy skin, and coma. The withdrawal from this drug also causes strong signs such as runny nose, watery eyes, loss of appetite, yawning, cramps, panic, tremors, nausea, sweating, and chills. BUP test also helps monitor the treatment for BUP addiction. What is being tested? Buprenorphine (BUP) is a commonly misused prescription drug whose actual medicinal purpose is the treatment of long-term opioid addiction and it is used for alleviating pain such as that caused by surgery. Preparation needed? No Fasting required? No
Why get tested? Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can affect women and men. It is a contagious infection that increases the risk for ectopic pregnancy, HIV, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and reactive arthritis. The accuracy of the chlamydia test is very high and it has more than 95% specificity. Moreover, it can detect chlamydia in its early stages, within only 1 to 2 weeks of exposure. Regular STI screening is necessary to prevent the risk and complications due to Chlamydia infection. The Chlamydia test is painless, simple, and generally very accurate. This disease can stay dormant for many years in the body and only cause an asymptomatic unnoticeable infection. That infection is harmful to health as it could potentially flare up and lead to symptomatic infection. What is being tested? Chlamydia test checks urine or swab for diagnosing chlamydia infection. For women, the test is performed on a swab of the discharge from the cervix for antigen testing or culture for chlamydia. The chlamydia test can take place during a Pap test. Preparation needed? It could be asked not to take antibiotics for 24 hours before getting the chlamydia test. However, you have to consult with a healthcare provider to get any special instructions about preparing for the chlamydia test. Fasting required? No