Important Lab Tests and Meanings

Question 1

D-dimer

Answer 1

D-dimer is one of the protein fragments produced when a blood clot gets dissolved in the body. It is normally undetectable or detectable at a very low level unless the body is forming and breaking down blood clots. Then, its level in the blood can significantly rise. This test detects D-dimer in the blood.

Question 2

Pericardial Fluid Analysis: Transudates

Answer 2

An imbalance between the pressure within blood vessels—which drives fluid out of blood vessels—and the amount of protein in blood—which keeps fluid in blood vessels. The fluid that accumulates in this case is called a transudate. Transudates are most often caused by congestive heart failure or cirrhosis.

Question 3

Pericardial Fluid Analysis: Exudate

Answer 3

An injury or inflammation of the pericardium, in which case the fluid that accumulates is called an exudate. Conditions such as infections, malignancies (metastatic cancer, lymphoma, mesothelioma), or autoimmune disease may cause the accumulation of exudate.

Question 4

Increased Cortisol

Answer 4

The group of signs and symptoms that are seen with an abnormally high level of cortisol is called Cushing syndrome. Increased cortisol production may be seen with:
Administration of large amounts of glucocorticosteroid hormones
Increased cortisol production by the adrenal glands, due to a tumor or due to excessive growth of adrenal tissues (hyperplasia)
Rarely, with tumors in various parts of the body that produce CRH

Question 5

Decreased Cortisol

Answer 5

An underactive pituitary gland or a pituitary gland tumor that inhibits ACTH production; this is known as secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Underactive or damaged adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency) that limit cortisol production; this is referred to as primary adrenal insufficiency and is also known as Addison disease.
After stopping treatment with glucocorticosteroid hormones, especially if stopped very quickly after a long period of use

Question 6

Low Parathyroid Hormone

Answer 6

Low levels of PTH may be due to conditions causing increased calcium or to an abnormality in PTH production causing hypoparathyroidism.

Question 7

High Parathyroid Hormone

Answer 7

Excess PTH secretion may be due to hyperparathyroidism, which is most frequently caused by a benign parathyroid tumor. In rare cases, it may be caused by cancer.

Question 8

Low T3

Answer 8

Abnormally low levels of T3 may indicate hypothyroidism or starvation. It could also indicate that you have a long-term illness since T3 levels decrease when you’re sick.

Question 9

High T3

Answer 9

If you’re not pregnant or suffering from liver disease, elevated T3 levels might indicate thyroid issues, such as:
Graves’ disease hyperthyroidism.

Question 10

High TSH High Free T4

Answer 10

Hyperthyroidism

Question 11

High TSH Normal Free T4

Answer 11

Hypothyroidism (sub-clinical)

Question 12

High TSH Low Free T4

Answer 12

Primary Hypothyroidism

Question 13

TSH Decreased Free T4 Increased

Answer 13

Primary Hyperthyroidism

Question 14

TSH Decreased Free T4 Decreased

Answer 14

Hypothyroidism

Question 15

TSH Decreased Free T4 Normal

Answer 15

Hypothyroidism (sub-clinical)

Question 16

Calprotectin Increased

Answer 16

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Question 17

Parietal cell antibodies

Answer 17

Parietal cell antibodies are autoantibodies, proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly target a type of specialized cells that line the stomach wall. This test detects these antibodies in the blood to help diagnose pernicious anemia.