Medical Laboratory Science: Hematology and Chemistry

Hematology

Hematocrit (Hct) measures hemoglobin level and red cell count to rule out anemia
Hemoglobin (Hgb) values rule out anemia
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count measures erythropoietic activity
White Blood Cell (WBC) Count measures leukocyte response
Platelet Count measures chemotherapy and radiation conditions
Differential White Blood Cell Count shows changes in specific cell types
Indices show changes in RBC size, weight, and Hgb content
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) measures weight of hemoglobin in the cell
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) measures size of the cell
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) measures concentration of hemoglobin per unit volume of RBCs
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) measures size differences of RBCs

Coagulation

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) measures adequacy of heparin therapy
D-dimer measures thrombin and plasmin activity
Fibrin Split Products (FSP) measures amount of fibrin degradation products in the blood
Fibrinogen Test measures fibrinogen levels in the blood
Prothrombin Time (PT) or International Normalized Ratio (INR) measures liver diseases or Vitamin K deficiency

Chemistry

Alanine Aminotransferase Test (ALT) measures liver damage
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measures alpha-fetoprotein levels in pregnant women during the second trimester
Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) Test measures the amount of alkaline in the bloodstream enzyme
Ammonia measures the level that could indicate cirrhosis and hepatitis
Amylase checks the enzyme level that could indicate liver disease, cholesystitis, etc.
Aspartate Aminotransferase Test (AST) measures levels of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme that may indicate liver damage
Bilirubin Test measures the amount of bilirubin levels in the bloodstream that could indicate red blood cell destruction
Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) measures acid-base balance by measuring pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and oxygen
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) measures the amount of urea nitrogen found in blood, which could determine impaired renal function
B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test measures levels of the BNP hormone in the blood that could indicate congestive heart failure
C-reactive Protein High Sensitivity (hs-CRP) measures the level of CRP
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Test measures CEA protein levels in the blood that could help diagnose and manage certain types of cancers
Blood Calcium measures the total amount of calcium in the blood that could help determine or monitor the effects of renal failure
Total Cholesterol measures the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Cortisol shows adrenal hypofunction and hyperfunction
Creatine Kinase (CK) is used to check muscle damage
Creatinine checks for cases that indicate renal impairment or muscular dystrophy
Drug Analysis monitors therapeutic range to avoid toxic levels for drugs
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, CO₂) measure the sodium values that determine disorder of the kidney and adrenals
Glucose is used to check diabetes, liver disease, or malnutrition
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) is used for diagnosis of liver, specifically hepatobiliary problems
Hemoglobin A1C determines glycosylated hemoglobin level
Lactate dehydrogenase checks lung, kidney, and liver dysfunction
Lipase shows the level that could lead to pancreatitis or pancreatic carcinoma
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests screen patients for the presence of prostate cancer
Total Protein is used to check liver and kidney disorders
Triglycerides serve as an index in the evaluation of atherosclerosis and lipid metabolism disorder
Troponin is used for early diagnosis of small myocardial infarcts
Uric Acid Test measures levels that indicate gout and renal problems
Vitamin B12 and Folate Tests are used to check for anemia and diseases of the small intestine

Serology/Immunology

Bacterial Studies measure antinuclear antibody (ANA) that shows autoimmune disorders
Antistreptolysin-O (ASO) Titer indicates streptococcal infection
Cold Agglutination Test checks for atypical pneumonia
Febrile Agglutination Test shows the presence of antibodies to specific organisms
FTA-ABS confirms syphilis
Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) is used when positive, it is indicative of syphilis but needs confirmation
Rheumatoid Factor (RF) indicates rheumatoid arthritis
Viral Studies screen for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Anti-HIV screens for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Cytomegalovirus Antibody (CMV) is a confirmatory test for CMV antibody
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) checks for the presence of heterophil antibody, which indicates infectious mononucleosis
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBSAg) checks for the presence of hepatitis antigen on the surface of red cells
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Test is present when the patient is pregnant
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) indicates inflammation when levels are increased

Urinalysis

Physical Evaluation indicates the presence of blood, melanin, bilirubin, or urobilin in the urine specimen
Chemical Evaluation measures the presence of blood, bilirubin, glucose, ketones, leukocyte, nitrite, pH, and urobilinogen
Microscopic Evaluation shows the status of the urinary tract, hematuria, pyuria, etc.

Microbiology

Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) is used to monitor the treatment for TB
Blood Culture checks for the presence of bacteria indicative of bacteremia or septicemia
Campylobacter-like Organism (CLO) Test shows the presence of Helicobacter pylori
Culture and Sensitivity (C&S) indicates infection if there is growth in the pathogenic microorganism
Fungus Culture and Identification determines the type of fungi if present
Gram Stain is done to allow antimicrobial therapy while waiting for culture results
Occult Blood checks for blood in the stool which could result from gastrointestinal bleeding
Ova and Parasites (O&P) Exam solves “etiology unknown” intestinal disorders

Blood Bank/Immunohematology

Antibody Screen shows the presence of abnormal antibodies in the blood
Direct Antihuman-globulin Test (DAT) determines transfusion incompatibility
ABO and Rh Type shows the ABO and Rh blood groups
Type and Crossmatch shows the blood group and screens for antibodies in the recipient's blood
Compatibility Testing detects antibodies and antigen in both recipient's and donor's blood