Pathology Lab Services

Liver function tests (LFTs) are blood tests that assess the health of your liver by measuring levels of enzymes, proteins, and substances produced by the organ. Common tests include ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and albumin. These tests help diagnose liver conditions, monitor treatment effectiveness, and detect potential complications.

### Renal Function Tests Renal function tests are blood and urine tests that evaluate how well your kidneys are working. Key tests include serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). These tests help identify kidney damage, assess kidney function, and monitor conditions like chronic kidney disease.

### Lipid Profile A lipid profile is a blood test that measures the levels of various fats in your blood, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides. This test helps assess your risk of cardiovascular disease and guides treatment decisions for managing cholesterol levels. Regular lipid profiling is essential for maintaining heart health, especially for those with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

### Blood Sugar Tests Blood sugar tests measure the amount of glucose in your blood, helping to assess your body’s ability to regulate sugar levels. Common tests include fasting blood glucose, random blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c. These tests are essential for diagnosing and managing diabetes and prediabetes. Monitoring blood sugar levels can help prevent complications and guide dietary and lifestyle changes.

HbA1c, or glycated hemoglobin, measures average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. It’s a crucial test for managing diabetes, helping healthcare providers assess how well blood sugar levels are controlled over time. Higher levels indicate poorer glucose control, which can lead to complications if not addressed. Regular monitoring can guide treatment adjustments and improve overall health outcomes.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme found in many tissues, playing a key role in energy production. Elevated LDH levels in the blood can indicate tissue damage, making it a valuable marker for various conditions, including heart attacks, liver disease, and certain cancers. However, it’s not disease-specific, so further testing is often needed to determine the underlying cause.

Uric acid is a waste product formed from the breakdown of purines, substances found in many foods. Measuring uric acid levels helps diagnose and manage conditions like gout, where high levels can lead to painful joint inflammation. It can also indicate kidney function and the body’s ability to eliminate waste. Monitoring uric acid levels is important for preventing complications related to excess accumulation.

Electrolytes are minerals in the body, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride, that carry an electric charge and play crucial roles in maintaining fluid balance, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Measuring electrolyte levels helps assess hydration status, kidney function, and the effects of certain medications or medical conditions. Imbalances can lead to symptoms like weakness, irregular heartbeat, and confusion, making regular monitoring important for overall health.

Calcium is an essential mineral vital for bone health, muscle function, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. Measuring calcium levels in the blood helps evaluate bone disorders, kidney function, and parathyroid gland activity. Abnormal levels can indicate conditions such as osteoporosis or hyperparathyroidism. Regular monitoring is important for maintaining overall health and preventing complications related to calcium imbalances.

Inorganic phosphorus is a vital mineral that plays a key role in energy production, bone health, and cellular function. Measuring its levels helps assess kidney function, evaluate metabolic disorders, and monitor conditions like hyperparathyroidism. Abnormal phosphorus levels can lead to bone problems or cardiovascular issues, making it important to maintain a balanced intake for overall health.

The 24-hour creatinine clearance test measures how well the kidneys filter creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism. By collecting urine over a 24-hour period and comparing it to blood creatinine levels, this test provides insights into kidney function and helps diagnose conditions like chronic kidney disease. Accurate results depend on proper collection, making it essential for assessing renal health and guiding treatment decisions.

Infertility hormones, including LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), prolactin, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, play crucial roles in reproductive health. - **LH and FSH** regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation in women and sperm production in men. - **Prolactin** influences milk production and can affect menstrual cycles and fertility. - **Progesterone** prepares the uterus for pregnancy and supports early gestation. - **Estrogen** is key for regulating the menstrual cycle and developing secondary sexual characteristics. - **Testosterone** is vital for sperm production and overall male reproductive health. Measuring these hormones can help identify underlying causes of infertility and guide appropriate treatments.

Thyroid function tests measure hormones that assess how well the thyroid gland is working. - **FT4 (free thyroxine)** and **FT3 (free triiodothyronine)** are the active hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, and growth. - **TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)**, produced by the pituitary gland, controls the production of FT4 and FT3. Evaluating these hormones helps diagnose conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, guiding treatment options to maintain hormonal balance and overall health.

Tumor markers are substances produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to cancer, helping in diagnosis, monitoring treatment, and detecting recurrence. - **CA 125** is primarily associated with ovarian cancer. - **CA 15-3** is linked to breast cancer. - **CA 19-9** can indicate pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancers. - **Total/Free PSA** helps assess prostate health and detect prostate cancer. - **ßhCG** is often elevated in testicular cancer and gestational trophoblastic disease. - **CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)** is used to monitor colorectal and other cancers. - **AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)** is associated with liver and germ cell tumors. - **TG (thyroglobulin)** helps monitor thyroid cancer. - **ATG (anti-thyroglobulin)** can indicate autoimmune thyroid disease. These markers are not definitive for cancer diagnosis but provide valuable information for managing cancer treatment and follow-up.

ß2-microglobulin is a protein that plays a role in the immune system and is found on the surface of many cells. Elevated levels in the blood or urine can indicate various conditions, particularly certain types of cancers, such as multiple myeloma and lymphomas, as well as kidney disease. Measuring ß2-microglobulin can help assess disease progression and response to treatment, making it a useful marker in clinical settings.

Immunology tests related to hepatitis viruses help diagnose and monitor liver infections. - **Anti-HCV** detects antibodies to the hepatitis C virus, indicating a past or current infection. - **HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen)** shows active hepatitis B infection. - **HBeAb (Hepatitis B e antibody)** indicates recovery from hepatitis B or low levels of viral replication. - **HBeAg (Hepatitis B e antigen)** signifies active viral replication and increased infectivity. These tests are essential for determining infection status, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring the effectiveness of antiviral therapies.

**Vitamin D** is essential for bone health and immune function; low levels can lead to bone disorders and increased risk of chronic diseases. **Ferritin** is a protein that stores iron; measuring ferritin levels helps assess iron stores in the body and diagnose conditions like iron deficiency anemia or hemochromatosis. **Folic Acid** is crucial for DNA synthesis and cell division; it’s particularly important during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. **Vitamin B12** is vital for red blood cell formation and neurological function; deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological issues. Testing these vitamins and minerals helps identify deficiencies and guide appropriate supplementation and dietary adjustments.