Pathology tests helping in correct diagnosis

Pathology tests help determine the cause and nature of diseases by testing samples of body tissues and body fluids to help doctors diagnose the diseases and provide treatment, assess the response to the treatment and in prognosis of the diseases. For initiating the treatment of any disease, proper diagnosis is required with the help of necessary investigations. Here are some of the most common pathology tests which are a part of our essential wellbeing:

Liver Function Tests (LFT)

are blood tests which measure enzymes, proteins and substances which are produced or excreted by the liver. The raised amounts of liver enzymes like Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Bilirubin indicates liver diseases such as fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc., while reduced Albumin can be a diagnostic marker of chronic liver disease.

A routine

Full Blood Examination (FBE) or the Full Blood Count (FBC blood test) or Complete Blood Count (CBC)

measures red blood cells (RBCs) that carry oxygen, white blood cells (WBCs) which fight infection, platelets which help blood to clot, Hemoglobin (protein in RBCs), Hematocrit, Mean corpuscular volume and some blood parameter. The abnormal levels indicate lack of blood cells (anemia), nutritional deficiencies (such as folic acid or vitamin B12 or Iron deficiency), tissue inflammation, iron deficiency, signs of an infection or hematologic malignancy.

Lipid Profile

determines the levels of different types of cholesterol and related fats in the blood. It usually includes HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol, LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol, Triglycerides and total cholesterol which determines the risk of heart diseases; These are to be maintained at optimum levels by drugs and improved lifestyle choices.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

is performed to screen, diagnose and monitor treatment for thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone) or hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone). It includes Triiodothyronine (T3) a hormone in combination with T4 regulates the heart rate and body temperature. Thyroxine (T4) along with T3, regulates your metabolism. Thyroid hormones regulate a range of vital bodily functions including basal metabolic rate, breathing, heart rate and body weight, temperature and general energy levels.

Urinalysis

is a test performed on a sample of urine to analyze metabolic disorders (such as diabetes) and kidney disorders. Common tests include testing for urine protein in patients of Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and kidney failure; presence of pus cells indicate urine infection.

Diagnostic tests for diabetes include fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post-meal blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) tests. These test results determine the status of your disease and response to the treatment. HbA1c test evaluates the amount of glucose in the body and monitors the sugar control of a diabetic patient. These help in analysing possible diabetes or pre-diabetic individual. Pathology tests are an essential part of our life and necessary for our well being because early diagnosis offers prevention against its progression into a more severe form. Always take your doctor’s advice at FirstCure Health to understand whether any other tests are needed to ensure optimal health.