Tests
A blood test done near the end of the first trimester of pregnancy to screen for common chromosomal defects. This test screens for blood levels of both free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and can detect trisomies of chromosomes 21 (Down's syndrome), chromosome 18 (Edward's syndrome), and chromosome 13 (Patau's syndrome).
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Drugs are chemical substances that can change how your body and mind work. A drug test looks for signs of illegal drugs or certain prescription and/or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that can be misused. The test is usually done with a sample of your urine (pee). Less commonly, drug testing uses a sample of your blood, saliva (spit), hair, sweat, fingernails, or breath. The purpose of a drug test is to look for drug use and misuse, which includes:
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Tests
Electrolytes are minerals that have an electrical charge when they are dissolved in water or body fluids. You have electrolytes in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids. They are important because they help:
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Epithelial cells cover the inside and outside of the surfaces of your body. They are found on your skin, blood vessels, and organs, including your urinary tract (which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra).
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Erythrocytes are red blood cells. The sedimentation rate is the time it takes for your red blood cells to settle at the bottom of a test tube. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that can show if you have inflammation in your body. Inflammation is your immune system's response to injury, infection, and many other conditions, including immune system disorders , certain cancers , and blood disorders .
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Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and GFR tests check how well your kidneys are working. Your kidneys are two organs on either side of your spine just below your rib cage. They have tiny filters called glomeruli. These filters remove waste and extra water from your blood and get rid of them through your urine (pee).
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An estrogen test measures the level of estrogens in a sample of your blood, urine (pee), or saliva (spit).
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If your health care provider has told you to fast before a blood test, it means you should not eat or drink anything, except plain water, for several hours before your test. While you're fasting for a blood test, you should also not :
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A ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritin in your blood. Ferritin is a protein that binds to iron and stores it in your body. You need iron to make healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Iron is also important for healthy muscles, bone marrow, and organs, including brain development in children.
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Flu is short for influenza. It is a respiratory infection caused by viruses . Respiratory infections may affect your nose, throat, and/or lungs. Most flu tests check a sample of fluid from your nose or throat to find out if you're infected with a flu virus.
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This test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a sample of your blood. A hormone is a chemical messenger in your bloodstream that controls the actions of certain cells or organs. FSH plays an important role in sexual development in children and fertility in adults.
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A free light chains test measures the level of free light chains in your blood. Light chains are proteins made by plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Light chains usually link up with other proteins called heavy chains. Together, the light and heavy chains make immunoglobulins, also called antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to fight germs such as viruses and bacteria .
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