Western-Blood Tests

Question 1

Prostate Specific Antigen Test

PSA

Answer 1

This test measures the level of PSA in the blood. Reported in nanograms per milliliter blood (ng/ml).

Less than 4 ng/ml is normal. Greater than 10 ng/ml is high.

High levels indicate: prostate cancer, prostatitis, recent ejaculation, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Question 2

Carcinoembryonic Antigen

CEA

Answer 2

This test is used as a tumor marker for benign & malignant conditions.

High levels: colon & rectum, pancreas, stomach, breast, lung cancer

• Chemotherapy & radiation therapy can cause a temporary rise in CEA.

Question 3

Alanine Aminotransferase Test

ALT) formally (SGPT

Answer 3

High levels: jaundice, LV disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, infectious mononucleosis

Question 4

Apartate Aminotransferase Test

AST) formally (SGOT

Answer 4

High levels: heart attack, infectious mononucleosis, strenuous exercise, LV disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis

Question 5

Alkaline Phosphate

Answer 5

High levels: bone disease, placenta, intestine

Question 6

Gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase

Answer 6

High levels of Alkaline Phosphatase & GGT:

LV disease, alcohol ingestion or Alcoholic Liver Disease, obstruction of the bile ducts (similar to gall stones)

Question 7

Bilirubin Test

Answer 7

High levels: increased destruction of RBCs (Hemolytic Anemia), LV disease, GB disease

Question 8

Serum Creatinine

Answer 8

Creatinine is a waste product formed through body’s metabolism of protein. Normal range: 0.6 - 1.2 mg/dL of blood. Levels greater than 1.2 mg/dL can indicate KD disease.

Question 9

Blood Urea Nitrogen

BUN

Answer 9

Another waste product formed through body’s metabolism of protein. Normal range: 7 - 20 mg/dL.
Levels greater than 20 mg/dL can indicate KD disease.

Question 10

Complete blood Count

CBC

Answer 10

Tests RBCs, WBCs & platelets.

Normal WBC count: 5,000 to 10,000. Increase suggests inflammation or infection.

Normal RBC count (men): 5 - 6 million/microliter
(women): 3.6 - 5.6 million/microliter. Decrease suggests inflammation.

Question 11

Hematocrit

Answer 11

(part of CBC) Packed cell volume used to determine anemia or polycythemia.

Question 12

Hemoglobin

Answer 12

(part of CBC) Transports oxygen & CO2, used to determine anemia or polycythemia.

Question 13

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

ESR

Answer 13

Blood sample in tube to determine how fast RBC settle to the bottom in 1 hr. Normal rate: 20 mm/hr.

Inflammation makes RBCs clump together & fall faster, increasing the rate. May indicate arthritis, but should not be used alone for diagnosis.

Question 14

Rheumatoid Factor

RF

Answer 14

Antibody found in unusually large amounts of PT w/ RA. The higher the concentration, the more severe the RA.

RF can take months to show up. Only 85% of PT w/ RA will have RF.

Question 15

Total blood cholesterol levels

Answer 15

Less than 200 mg/dL: desirable
200 to 239 mg/dL: borderline to high
240 mg/dL or higher: high

Question 16

High density lipoprotein or LDL (good cholesterol)

Answer 16

Less than 40 mg/dL: low HDL (increased risk of heart attack)

Greater than 60 mg/dL: High HDL (reduced risk of heart attack)

Question 17

Low-density lipoprotein or LDL (bad cholesterol)

Answer 17

Below 100 mg/dL: desirable
130 to 159 mg/dL: borderline to high
160 mg/dL or greater: high

Question 18

Total cholesterol to HDL ratio

calculated by dividing total cholesterol level by HDL level

Answer 18

Below 5 to 1: desirable

3.5 to 1: optimal

Question 19

Triglycerides

another type of fat

Answer 19

Less than 200 mg/dL: normal
200 - 400 mg/dL: borderline to high
New guidelines state PT w/ borderline elevated levels should have treatment.

Question 20

Elisa Test (Enzyme Linked Immuno-Assay)

Answer 20

This test is used to screen:
Lyme Disease, EBV, hepatitis, HIV, Herpes Simplex Virus,
*if positive, follow up w/ Western Blot Test.

Question 21

HLA Typing

Answer 21

A common test in medical centers for transplants. It is a genetic marker for some forms of arthritis. Ex. Ankylosing Spondylitis & Reiter’s Syndrome.

Question 22

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

TSH

Answer 22

Increased: hypothyroidism
Decreased: hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis

Question 23

Sweat Test

Answer 23

Detection of Cystic Fibrosis

Question 24

HCG

Answer 24

Pregnancy test

Question 25

Dick Test

Answer 25

Scarlet Fever

Question 26

Schick Test

Answer 26

Diphtheria

Question 27

Specific Gravity

Answer 27

Specific gravity of 1.023 or more indicates normal urine concentration ability.

Low specific gravity: sickle cell anemia, diabetes insipidus.

Question 28

Antinuclear Antibody

ANA

Answer 28

This tests for Lupus & certain rheumatic diseases.