Testing of blood, urine and joint fluid
Blood test is a sample of body fluid that is used to test for many different conditions. It is the most safely collected body tissue and contains traces of material from every part of the body. Some of the tests ordered might be:
- Hemoglobin and Hematocrit (H&H). This test measures the quality and number of red blood cells. If you have a chronic condition or inflammation, the number of red blood cells can be low.
- White blood cell count (WBC). This measures the number of white blood cells. Infection will increase the white blood cell count.
- Platelet count. This measures the number of platelets or "sticky cells", that help the blood to clot.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or sed rate. This blood sample tells if there is inflammation in your body.
- Salicylate level. This measures the amount of salicylate in the blood . Salicylate helps to reduce inflammation.
- Muscle enzyme tests (CPK, aldolase). This measures the amount of muscle damage.
- Liver enzyme tests (SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase). These measure the amount of liver damage. Some medications uses can damage the liver. o
- Creatinine Test. This measures the kidney function.
- Uric Acid test. This measures the amount of uric acid in the blood. It is measured primarily to detect gout.
- Immunological
Blood tests. These
tests will help the doctor examine your immune system. The immune
system is the bodyÌs natural defense against foreign invaders. If
the immune system breaks down, it loses the ability to distinguish
between its own body cells and foreign cell and ends up fighting its
own body cells. When this happens, the immune system fights itself
and causes different conditions and diseases. This is called autoimmune
disease.
Some of the Immunological blood tests are:- Rheumatoid factor
- Antinuclear antibody
- Human Leukocyte antigen (HLA)
- Complement
tests
- Urine Tests. Several test can be done on a urine sample. With a urine test, the doctor would be looking for and abnormals that may indicate kidney damage or red blood cells and protein which show in some conditions. The results helps the doctor to diagnosis certain problems
- 24 hour urine test. This test evaluates all the urine collected over a 24 hour period. The doctor may be looking at kidney function. He/she may also be looking at uric acid, calcium and protein in urine over a 24 hours time period.