View All Tests

Test description: Therapy for diabetes requires the long-term maintenance of a blood glucose level as close as possible to a normal level. A single fasting blood glucose measurement is an indication of the patient’s immediate past condition, but may not represent the true status of blood glucose regulation.

An accurate index of the mean blood glucose concentration may be established by the measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) every two to three months. The level of HbA1c is proportional to both the average glucose concentration and the lifespan of the hemoglobin in the circulation. The measurement of HbA1c has therefore been accepted for the clinical management of diabetes.

This test is recommended for diabetics every three months.

Test description: Panel includes hemoglobin, ferritin, iron and TIBC. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein found in all red blood cells. Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron. It’s found in the liver, spleen, and skeletal muscles. Serum iron, which is a mineral, is found in the blood. The iron helps make hemoglobin which is a protein in the red blood cells, which helps carry oxygen in the body. Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is most frequently used along with an iron test to evaluate for iron deficiency or iron overload.

Test description: In addition to health reasons, B12 and folate tests may be used to help evaluate an individual with an altered mental state or other behavioral changes, especially in the elderly. A B12 test may be ordered with folate, by itself, or with other screening laboratory tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), antinuclear antibody (ANA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) to help determine why a person shows signs and symptoms of a condition affecting nerves (neuropathy).

This test is recommended for: Pregnancy ante-natal work-up, diagnosing and monitoring treatment of anemia, suspected folate/B12 deficiency, strict vegetarians.

Test Description: This test will determine your blood type based on antigens found in your red blood cells. Antigens are proteins on the surface of your blood cells that can cause a response from the immune system, which is good in fighting disease. The results will tell the health professional what blood or blood components will be safe for you to receive. They can also tell a pregnant woman whether she is Rh positive or Rh negative, and whether she may be a candidate for receiving Rh immune globulin to prevent her from potentially developing antibodies against her fetus blood cells. Therefore, this test is recommended for people anticipating a blood transfusion, expectant mothers, and people who are simply curious about their blood type.

Through this noninvasive test, we scan the heart to detect the presence, location, and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries.

The major risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease are:

• Abnormally high blood cholesterol levels
• A family history of heart disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Being physically inactive

This information is vital to predicting and preventing heart disease and even a major cardiac event. It’s highly recommended for those with a family history of heart disease or who have been diagnosed with diabetes
and/or high blood pressure.

Imaging screenings must be scheduled in advance by calling (317) 468.4600.

Lipid Panel Test Use:

The Lipid Panel aids in the evaluation of potential risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), is used to evaluate hyperlipidemia as an index to coronary artery disease (CAD), to indicate the presence of dyslipoproteinemia, and to monitor lipoprotein-modifying drugs.

Risk factors to be considered when ordering a Lipid panel include:

• High Total Cholesterol
• Cigarette smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Unhealthy diet
• Being physically inactive—not getting enough exercise
• Age (if you are a male 45 years or older or a female 50-55 years or older)
• Hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90 or higher or taking high blood pressure medications)
• Family history of premature heart disease (heart disease in a first degree male relative under age 55 or a first degree female relative under age 65)
• Pre-existing heart disease or already having had a heart attack
• Diabetes or prediabetes

Decreased lipids are found with some cases of malabsorption, malnutrition and advanced liver disease. In abetalipoproteinemia, cholesterol is less than 70 mg/dL.

Test Includes: Cholesterol, Total, Triglycerides, HDL Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol (calculated).

Investigation of serum lipids is indicated in those with coronary and other arterial disease, especially when it is premature, and in those with family history of atherosclerosis or of hyperlipidemia. In this sense, the expression “premature” is mostly used to include those younger than 40 years of age.

hsCRP Test Use: 

You should consider getting the hsCRP test if you:

1. Are male or female of any age and smoke cigarettes, or have a first degree relative (parent or sibling) with heart disease, or have hypertension, or have diabetes, or have history of high cholesterol ortriglycerides.

2. Don’t have the above risk factors, but have had a heart attack or a stroke.

YOU SHOULD NOT GET THE hsCRP TEST IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ARE APPLICABLE 

1. People who have had any recent illness, tissue injury, or infection. This can cause general inflammation throughout the body and will raise the amount of CRP, thus giving a falsely elevated estimate of risk.
2. People with chronic inflammation, such as those with arthritis, should not have hs-CRP levels measured. Their CRP levels will be very high due to the arthritis—often too high to be measured using the hs-CRP test.

Patient preparation: Fast for 12 hours

Test Description: A CBC gives an overall view of the general health of a person and can detect disorders in the blood such as anemia, leukemia, and infection. It includes white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RBC distribution width (RDW), and platelets (PLT). 

It is frequently ordered when certain medications have been prescribed that could potentially impact normal values. If an individual is having symptoms such as fatigue or weakness or has an infection, inflammation, bruising, or bleeding, then a CBC can be helpful.

Also known as: Metabolic Panel, Comprehensive; CMP; Met Comp. + Lipid Panel

Test use: The CMP is routinely ordered as part of a blood work-up for a medical exam or yearly physical. While the individual tests are sensitive, they do not usually tell a health practitioner specifically what is wrong. Abnormal test results or groups of test results are usually followed up with other specific tests to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis. The Lipid Panel aids in the evaluation of potential risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), is used to evaluate hyperlipidemia as an index to coronary artery disease (CAD), to indicate the presence of dyslipoproteinemia, and to monitor lipoprotein-modifying drugs.

Test description: Chemistry Tests includes: Albumin; Alkaline Phosphatase, Total; ALT (SGPT); AST (SGOT); Bilirubin, Total; Calcium; Carbon Dioxide; Chloride; Creatinine; Glucose; Potassium; Protein, Total; Sodium; Urea Nitrogen, Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) (calculated); and Globulin (calculated). The Lipid Panel Includes: Cholesterol, Total; Triglycerides; HDL Cholesterol; LDL Cholesterol (calculated).

This test recommended for: The General Chemistry panel is used to evaluate a person’s chemical status. Panel includes a glucose and tests that check for kidney, electrolyte and liver function.

The Lipid Panel aids in the evaluation of potential risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), is used to evaluate hyperlipidemia as an index to coronary artery disease (CAD), to indicate the presence of dyslipoproteinemia, and to monitor lipoprotein-modifying drugs.

Risk factors to be considered when ordering a Lipid panel include:

• High Total Cholesterol
• Cigarette smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Unhealthy diet
• Being physically inactive—not getting enough exercise
• Age (if you are a male 45 years or older or a female 50-55 years or older)
• Hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90 or higher or taking high blood pressure medications)
• Family history of premature heart disease (heart disease in a first degree male relative under age 55 or a first degree female relative under age 65)
• Pre-existing heart disease or already having had a heart attack
• Diabetes or prediabetes

Decreased lipids are found with some cases of malabsorption, malnutrition and advanced liver disease. In abetalipoproteinemia, cholesterol is less than 70 mg/dL.

Patient preparation: Patient should fast for 12 hours prior to testing.

Test Description: Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae is typically done at the same time because the symptoms are similar. The nucleic acid amplification that is used with the urine test, amplifies the DNA present in the urine to determine whether the sexually transmitted disease is present.

The patient should not have urinated for at least one hour prior to having the test completed.

Test Description: The CMP is routinely ordered as part of a blood work-up for a medical exam or yearly physical. While the individual tests are sensitive, they do not usually tell a health practitioner specifically what is wrong. Abnormal test results or groups of test results are usually followed up with other specific tests to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis.

The test includes: albumin; alkaline phosphatase, total; ALT (SGPT); AST (SGOT); bilirubin, total; calcium; carbon dioxide; chloride; creatinine; glucose; potassium; protein, total; sodium; urea nitrogen, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (calculated); and globulin (calculated). Panel includes electrolytes-sodium, potassium, chloride, and CO2.

Patient should fast for 12 hours prior to testing.

This test is authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). ^a

This COVID-19 test may be helpful for those who:

• Currently have symptoms of COVID-19
• Live or work in a place where people reside, meet, or gather in close proximity (this can include healthcare settings, homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, group homes, prisons, detention centers, schools, and workplaces)
• Have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19
• Have been identified as someone who should get tested by an employer, public health department, contact investigator, or healthcare provider
• Are visiting a place that requires testing prior to arrival
• Do not have symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19, but who are unknowingly infected

This COVID-19 test may not be helpful for those who:

• Currently have severe symptoms that limit daily activities. Seek medical attention right away if this is the case.
• Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 3 months. When you test positive, you will not need to be tested again for 3 months as long as you do not develop new symptoms.

Understanding Results

If results are positive, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately, self-isolate, and monitor symptoms.

If results are negative, the individual was most likely not infected with COVID-19 at the time of sample collection. In some cases, there is not enough SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the sample to detect the virus. This can happen in a percentage of cases during the different stages of infection. If symptoms are present, it is important to follow up with a healthcare provider for further evaluation and to take protective measures to avoid infecting others.

About COVID-19

COVID-19 is highly contagious. Cases of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. Most people infected with this virus have mild symptoms. Some people who are infected don’t have any symptoms and don’t feel sick but can still transmit the virus to others. More severe cases of COVID-19 have been seen in older adults and those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health issues; however, serious illness can also occur in younger adults. While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, they can also be infected and serious illness can occur.

For more information on COVID-19 and COVID-19 testing, please visit one the following valuable resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Coronavirus Disease 2019
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 in Children and Teens
• World Health Organization: Coronavirus

This test, when ordered by the patient, is the patient’s responsibility and  may not be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement.

^a This test has been authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).  This means that while Hancock Regional Hospital has validated the test and has the data to believe the test and the collection kit are accurate, this test has not been FDA-cleared or -approved; This test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories; this test has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and, this test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use on in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(B)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360BBB-3(B)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. Additional studies need to be conducted for this test and others like it to be FDA cleared or approved.

^b Severe symptoms may include, but are not limited to, persistent fever (lasting longer than 48 hours) greater than 102 °F or a persistent low-grade fever, severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, continuous pain or pressure in the chest, severe coughing spells or coughing up blood, abdominal (gut) pain, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, irregular heartbeat, confusion, blue lips or face, dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling too weak to stand, feeling very tired or lethargic, slurred speech or seizures, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or feeling not well enough to stay home.

^c There are many causes of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. COVID-19 is just one condition that may cause these symptoms. This test does not rule out the possibility of other illnesses and infections that may be present instead of or in addition to COVID-19.

What does it mean if I have a positive test result?

If you have a positive test result, it is likely that you have or previously had COVID-19 and that you have developed an antibody response to the virus. Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how best to care for you based on the test results along with other factors of your medical history, including any previous symptoms, possible exposure to COVID-19, and the location of places you have recently traveled. There is also the chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false positive result).

It is not known if the antibodies that result from SARS-CoV-2 infection will provide someone with protection (immunity) from getting infected again. If antibodies do provide immunity, it is not known how much antibody would be required to do so or how long protection might last.

What does it mean if I have a negative test result?

A negative test result means that the antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 were not found in your sample. However, it is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID-19 infection. A negative result may occur if you are tested early in your illness and your body hasn’t had time to produce antibodies to infection. If this is the case, your healthcare provider will consider the test result together with all other aspects of your medical history (such as symptoms, possible exposures, and geographical location of places you have recently traveled) in deciding how to care for you.

Is this test FDA-approved or cleared?

No. This test is not yet approved or cleared by the United States FDA. When there are no FDA-approved or cleared tests available, and other criteria are met, FDA can make tests available under an emergency access mechanism called an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The EUA for this test is supported by the Secretary of Health and Human Service’s (HHS’s) declaration that circumstances exist to justify the emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for the detection and/or diagnosis of the virus that causes COVID-19. This EUA will remain in effect (meaning this test can be used) for the duration of the COVID-19 declaration justifying emergency of IVDs, unless it is terminated or revoked by FDA (after which the test may no longer be used).

Test Description: This test searches for traces of amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine metabolite, opiates, phencyclidine, propoxyphene, and THC metabolite. Recommended for monitoring whether drugs are present in the system.

Test Description: This test is used in conjunction with other serological and clinical information for the diagnosis of individuals with acute or chronic hepatitis B.

Test description: Hepatitis C is a small, single-stranded RNA virus. Infections are typically asymptomatic. For patients who develop acute hepatitis, the symptoms are generally milder than in acute infection with HAV or HBV. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies are generally non-protective, but serve as markers of chronic infection.

The hepatitis C antibody screen is recommended for people who were born between 1945 and 1965. Recommendations also include testing for people in the following risk groups:

• Patients who may have been around contaminated equipment when receiving a tattoo or body piercing
• Children who have mothers who have HCV, because they could have contracted it during childbirth
• Healthcare providers who may have come in contact with blood from a patient who has HCV
• Anyone who has had unprotected sexual activity

Test Description: The HIV assay is intended to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection. Positive antibody tests will be confirmed by second method at no additional cost. Early detection and treatment of HIV infection can decrease the risk of progression to AIDS and greatly improve long-term health and survival.

Test description: Risk factors to be considered when ordering a lipid panel include:

• High total cholesterol
• Cigarette smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Unhealthy diet
• Being physically inactive—not getting enough exercise
• Age (if you are a male 45 years or older or a female 50-55 years or older)
• Hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90 or higher or taking high blood pressure medications)
• Family history of premature heart disease (heart disease in a first degree male relative under age 55 or a first degree female relative under age 65)
• Pre-existing heart disease or already having had a heart attack
• Diabetes or prediabetes

Decreased lipids are found with some cases of malabsorption, malnutrition, and advanced liver disease. In abetalipoproteinemia, cholesterol is less than 70 mg/dL.

Patients should fast for 12 hours before testing.

Test description: Measures the overall function of the liver. Commonly used tests to check liver function are the alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, and bilirubin tests. The ALT and AST tests measure enzymes that your liver releases in response to damage or disease. The albumin measures how well the liver creates albumin and the bilirubin tests measure how well the liver creates albumin, a protein, and how well it disposes of bilirubin, a waste product of the blood.

People with the following risk factors could be benefit from a lung screening:

• Persons age 50+ and have a 30 pack year history of smoking.
• Person who have stopped smoking less than 15 years ago.
• Persons age 50+ with a 20 pack year history and one of the following risk factors:
  • History of Cancer (there is increased risk of developing new primary lung CA among survivors of lung cancer, lymphomas, cancers of the head and neck, or smoking-related cancers.
  • Family history of lung cancer
  • Disease history (COPD or pulmonary fibrosis)
  • Smoking exposure (second hand smoke)
  • Radon exposure
  • Occupational exposure: Silica, cadmium, asbestos, arsenic, beryllium, chromium, diesel fumes and nickel.

Imaging screenings must be scheduled in advance by calling (317) 468.4600.

Test Description: Designed to establish if someone has immunity to measles, either from a previous vaccination or infection. It is not intended to be diagnostic for infectious disease and should only be utilized to establish serological status of the patient to measles. Positive results may be found in patients that have not been immunized. In these cases, the patient has a positive serological status to the infectious agent through natural exposure. False positive results may occur. Repeat testing or testing with a different device may be indicated in some settings, e.g., patients with low likelihood of prior infection or vaccination.

Test Description: Designed to establish serological status of the patient to measles, mumps, and rubella. Positive results may be found in patients that have not been immunized. In these cases, the patient has a positive serological status to the infectious agent through natural exposure. False positive results may occur. Repeat testing or testing with a different device may be indicated in some settings, e.g., patients with low likelihood of prior infection or vaccination.

Test description: This panel is recommended for men of any age who are interested in their general health and well-being.

A comprehensive metabolic panel is completed to assess glucose levels, electrolyte levels, kidney function, and liver function.

A lipid panel is completed to determine the risk of developing heart disease due to cholesterol build up in the arteries. Patients who are at risk may include those who are overweight, physically inactive, diabetics, and those who eat diets high in fat.

The CBC gives an overall view of the general health of a person and can detect disorders in the blood such as anemia, leukemia, and infection.

The A1c hemoglobin is used to screen and monitor diabetes.

The prostate releases an antigen into the blood through the prostate gland in male patients. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) screen can be completed to check for prostate cancer.

Test Description: This test can establish if someone has immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and/or varicella-zoster, either from a previous vaccination or infection. It is not intended to be diagnostic for infectious disease and should only be utilized to establish serological status of the patient to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster.

Positive results may be found in patients that have not been immunized. In these cases, the patient has a positive serological status to the infectious agent through natural exposure. False positive results may occur. Repeat testing or testing with a different device may be indicated in some settings, e.g., patients with low likelihood of prior infection or vaccination.

Test Description: This test is not intended to be diagnostic for infectious disease and should only be utilized to establish serological status of the patient to mumps. 

Positive results may be found in patients that have not been immunized. In these cases, the patient has a positive serological status to the infectious agent through natural exposure. False positive results may occur. Repeat testing with a different device may be indicated in some settings, e.g., patients with low likelihood of prior infection or vaccination.

Test description: This test evaluates your current nutrition status, including:

• • B12
  • Folate
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  • Lipid Panel
  • A1c

Both vitamin B12 and folic acid help the body make red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a component of the CBC used to check for anemia. A lipid panel is completed to determine the risk of developing heart disease due to cholesterol build up in the arteries. The A1c hemoglobin is used to screen and monitor diabetes.

Patients should fast for 12 hours prior to the test.

This test is recommended for suspected prostate cancer, people with a family/history of prostate cancer, and monitoring therapy for prostate cancer.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein (molecular weight 30000-34000 Daltons) having a close structural relationship to the glandular kallikreins. It has the function of a serine proteinase. The proteolytic activity of PSA in blood is inhibited by the irreversible formation of complexes with protease inhibitors such as alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, and other acute phase proteins. Besides these complexes, about 30% of the PSA present in blood occurs in the free form, but is proteolytically inactive. Elevated concentrations of PSA in serum are generally indicative of a pathologic condition of the prostate (prostatitis, benign hyperplasia or carcinoma). As PSA is also present in para-urethral and anal glands, as well as in breast tissue or with breast cancer, low levels of PSA can also be detected in sera from women. PSA may still be detectable even after radical prostatectomy.

The main areas in which PSA determinations are employed are the monitoring of progress and efficiency of therapy in patients with prostate carcinoma or receiving hormonal therapy. The steepness of the rate of fall in PSA down to no-longer detectable levels following radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, or radical surgical removal of the prostate provides information on the success of therapy.

An inflammation or trauma of the prostate (e.g. in cases of urinary retention or following rectal examination, cystoscopy, colonoscopy, transurethral biopsy, laser treatment or ergometry) can lead to PSA elevations of varying duration and magnitude.

Test Description: This test is not intended to be diagnostic for infectious disease and should only be utilized to establish serological status of the patient to rubella.

Positive results may be found in patients that have not been immunized. In these cases, the patient has a positive serological status to the infectious agent through natural exposure. False positive results may occur. Repeat testing with a different device may be indicated in some settings, e.g., patients with low likelihood of prior infection or vaccination.

Test Description: Syphilis is a disease, usually sexually transmitted, caused by infection with the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum. Congenital transmission of Treponema pallidum by transplacental passage from an infected mother, and contagion through blood transfusions have been also reported in the literature. Infection is systemic from the outset and the disease is characterized by periods of latency, often in excess of 20 years. The natural course of Syphilis is divided into three phases. After an incubation period lasting about three weeks, a non-painful skin lesion (chancre) appears, often associated with regional lymphadenopathy (primary phage). The disease progresses into a secondary, disseminated phase, accompanied by general mucocutaneous lesions and lymphadenopathy. If a Treponema pallidum infections progresses into the late phase of the disease, the secondary phase is followed by a period of subclinical infection (latent syphilis) that can be detected only by serological tests, and by a late or tertiary phase, observed only in a small number of patients, characterized by progressive disease.  

This test is recommended for patients with blisters and ulcers over genitalia, multiple sexual partners, or abnormal genital discharge.

Test Description: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) can determine if there are problems with the thyroid gland, which produces two hormones (T3 and T4) that are instrumental in controlling metabolism. 

Free T4 is the most important form of T4 to measure when determining how the thyroid is functioning. It is used if you have signs of a thyroid disorder.

Some thyroid disorders include:

• hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland)

One of these thyroid conditions may be present if you have symptoms such as:

• Eye issues, such as dryness, irritation, puffiness, and bulging
• Skin dryness or puffiness
• Hair loss
• Hand tremors
• Increased heart rate
• Weight changes
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
• Anxiety
• Fatigue and weakness
• Intolerance to cold
• Sensitivity to light
• Menstrual irregularity

This test is also used to monitor people who are being treated for thyroid problems.

Test Description: The determination of TSH serves as the initial test in thyroid diagnostics. Even very slight changes in the concentrations of the free thyroid hormones bring about much greater opposite changes in the TSH level. Accordingly, TSH is a very sensitive and specific parameter for assessing thyroid function and is particularly suitable for early detection or exclusion of disorders in the central regulating circuit between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and thyroid.

Some thyroid disorders include:

• hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland)

One of these thyroid conditions may be present if you have symptoms such as:

• Eye issues, such as dryness, irritation, puffiness, and bulging
• Skin dryness or puffiness
• Hair loss
• Hand tremors
• Increased heart rate
• Weight changes
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
• Anxiety
• Fatigue and weakness
• Intolerance to cold
• Sensitivity to light
• Menstrual irregularity

When To Get Tested: When you have joint pain or other symptoms that your healthcare practitioner suspects may be due to gout; when you have had or are going to have certain chemotherapy or radiation therapies for cancer; when you have recurrent kidney stones; when you have gout or are otherwise at risk for kidney stone formation.

Patient Preparation: None

Test description: This test includes a macroscopic exam of: color, turbidity, specific gravity, pH, protein screen, glucose screen, ketones, bilirubin, blood, nitrite, and leukocyte esterase. It also includes a microscopic exam of: white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), casts, crystals, epithelial cells, bacteria, and yeast.

When To Get Tested: Annually after a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes; annually 5 years after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes

Patient Preparation: None, random urine specimen

Test description: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a two-chain glycoprotein hormone (MW approx. 37,000) normally found in blood and urine only during pregnancy. It is secreted by placental tissue, beginning with the primitive trophoblast, almost from the time of implantation, and serves to support the corpus luteum during the early weeks of pregnancy.

According to literature, circulating hCG typically reaches levels of approximately 2,000 mIU/mL one month after conception. A peak level on the order of 100,000 mIU/mL is attained in the third month, after which a gradual decline sets in. Following delivery, the hCG level normally undergoes rapid descent, reaching non-pregnant concentrations some two weeks later. Ectopic pregnancies and pregnancies terminating in spontaneous abortion tend to have lower than normal circulation hCG levels, while somewhat higher levels are often seen in multiple pregnancies.