Blood and Urine Tests used by Dr Andre Kruger (fasting coordinator) at his Fasting Retreat.
As a rule I recommend the following tests before and during fasting:
1.
Urine dipstick which includes sugar, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen,
protein, nitrites, leucocytes, pH and SG (Specific Gravity). Most
decent dipsticks have these.
2. Serum cholesterol (now also available in stick form, similar to the tests diabetics use to check blood sugar.)
3. Blood sugar (repeatedly if there are symptoms!)
4. Serum uric acid (also available in finger prick home use machines).
For research and safeguarding individuals, I add:
1. Full blood count: This is a common, cheap and easy, automated test giving a lot of information.
2. Liver functions: Total protein, Albumin, Bilirubin. If the latter is high, I add "direct" or "conjugated" bilirubin.
3.
Enzymes: These are very useful to identify specific organs under
stress, and follow up their healing. The (serum) enzymes I did in my
own laboratory included:
- ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) - GGT (Gamma Glutamyl Transferase) - ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) - AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) - CK (Creatine Kinase) and - LDH (Lactic Dehydrogenase).
The
last of these are activated whenever any cell in the body lacks oxygen.
In all of the above, one needs to look at the pattern of increases
(seldom decreases) to identify the specific organ. If we are worried
about one, we follow up the tests for that one only.
4. Minerals:
Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium.. if available, also cellular
Magnesium as the bulk of the body's Magnesium is intra-cellular. I used
to concentrate and lyse red blood cells for this purpose, but some
prefer white blood cells or even muscle biopsies!
5. THYROID: TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) is usually adequate as a screening too.
6.
Allergy: IgE (Immunoglobulin E) will tell us if a person has an
allergic tendency, which could be responsible for cravings and may
vague symptoms.
Of course, following clinical examination I
might request other investigations like in any professional
consultation and selected tests will be repeated where a medium to long
fast (more than a week to a month) is undertaken.
Clinically, I like to follow up heart and lung functions with stress ECG's and spirometry.
André
Here is a complete list of blood and urine tests, what the test are for and what the normal ranges are for a healthy person. The tests which are specifically relevant to people who are on a fast or are about to embark on a fast will be highlighted shortly. They are also listed above.
5-HIAAUrine test for serotonin-secreting carcinoid tumour.
Symptoms are: symptoms suggestive of a carcinoid tumours such as flushing, diarrhoea, and/or wheezing.
Symptoms are: Masses of inflammatory cells that create small bumps under the skin, a lingering cough, red watery eyes. Range not given.
ACTH Blood Test for adrenal and pituitary diseases such as Cushing'ssyndrome, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, adrenal tumors, and pituitary tumors.
Symptoms are: Hormone imbalance that could be caused by a problem in your pituitary or adrenal glands.
Symptoms are: chronic cough, weight loss, fever, chills, and weakness, that may be due to TB or another mycobacterial infection
Range: Not given
Home test: No
AFP Tumour Marker Blood Test for certain cancers of the liver and testes.
Symptoms are: certain cancers of the liver or testes, if you, have previously been treated for one of these cancers, or are under treatment for them, or if you have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
Symptoms are: liver or kidney disease, if you have a recent, rapid weight change, or prior to a planned surgery
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Aldosterone Blood Test for renin levels are abnormal; to detect hyperaldosteronism (overproduction of aldosterone) or hypoaldosteronism (underproduction of aldosterone).
Symptoms are: an electrolyte imbalance or you develop symptoms of hyperaldosteronism, such as elevated blood pressure or muscle weakness
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Blood Test for early onset emphysema and/or liver disease.
Symptoms are: signs of liver disease as an infant or young child,emphysema (a disease that damages the lungs) before age 40, or when you have a close relative with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Ammonia Blood Test for elevated levels of ammonia in the blood, to evaluate changes in consciousness, or to help diagnose hepatic encephalopathy and Reye’s syndrome.
Symptoms are: mental changes or lapses into a coma of unknown origin; if an infant or child experiences frequent vomiting and increased lethargy as a newborn or about a week after a viral illness
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Amylase Blood Test for pancreatitis or other pancreatic diseases.
Symptoms are: pancreatic disorder, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite or nausea
Range: Low : n/a High : 120 U/L
Home test: No
ANA Blood Test for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and drug-induced lupus and rule out certain other autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms are: SLE or drug-induced lupus
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Apo A Blood Test for adequate levels of Apo A-I, and to help determine your risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD).
Symptoms are: hyperlipidaemia and/or a family history of CHD or peripheral vascular disease
Range: Not given
Home test: No
ApoE Genotyping Blood Test for Type III hyperlipoproteinaemia and of late onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
Symptoms are: high cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be due to a genetically inherited disorder, or if you have xanthomas (yellowish raised patches) on your skin
Range: Not given
Home test: No
aPTT Blood Test for bleeding or thrombotic episode.
Symptoms are: unexplained bleeding or thrombosis (a blood clot)
B12 / Folate Blood Test for anaemia or neuropathy (nerve damage).
Symptoms are: large red blood cells, when you have symptoms of anaemia and/or of neuropathy
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Bicarbonate Blood Test for electrolyte or acid-base imbalance in conditions.
Symptoms are: problems with the acid-base balance of your body
Range: Low : 18 High : 23 mmol/L
Home test: No
Bilirubin Blood Test for liver disorders, such as jaundice, or liver diseases, such as cirrhosis.
Symptoms are: liver damage or a liver disease
Range: Low : 2 high : 14 μmol/L
Home test: No
Blood Culture Blood Test for presence of a systemic infection .
Symptoms are: bacterial infection, such as fever, chills, elevated white blood cell count, and tiredness
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Blood Gases Blood Test for imbalance in the amount of oxygen gas (O2) or carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in your blood or an acid-base imbalance.
Symptoms are: oxygen/carbon dioxide imbalance or an acid-base imbalance. These include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
Cervical Smear Test for cervical cancer and for certain vaginal or uterine infections.
Symptoms are: In the UK, all woman between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical smear test every three to five years
Range: Not given
Home test: No
CF Gene Mutation Blood Test for cystic fibrosis (CF) genetic mutations to establish CF carrier status.
Symptoms are: newborn infant has meconium ileus (no stools in the first 24 to 48 hours of life) or when a person has symptoms of CF; if a person has a positive sweat chloride or IRT test or a close relative who has been diagnosed with CF
Symptoms are: heart disease (angina, heart attack), family history of high cholesterol, or of heart disease at an early age, over 35 years old and have risk factors which puts you at an increased chance of developing heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or you are a smoker, taking drugs to lower your cholesterol level
Range: Low : 3 High : 5.0 mmol/L
Home test: No
Cholinesterase Blood Test for temporary paralysis after being given a muscle relaxant called suxamethonium during surgery.
Symptoms are: suxamethonium apnoea after a surgical operation.
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Ciclosporin Blood Test for concentration of ciclosporin in your blood in order to establish a dose regime, maintain therapeutic levels, and detect toxic levels.
Symptoms are: ciclosporin therapy begins, usually daily or 2-3 times a week, and periodically after that as dose is adjusted or maintained
Symptoms are: kidney dysfunction and/or have a disease or condition that is known to affect kidney function
Range: Not given
Home test: No
D-dimer Blood Test for thrombotic (blood clot producing) diseases.
Symptoms are: disease or condition that causes acute and/or chronic inappropriate blood clot formation such as: DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), PE (Pulmonary Embolism), or DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation)
Range: Low : n/a High : 500 ng/mL
Home test: No
Differential Blood Test for illness affecting your immune system, such as an infection.
Symptoms are: As part of a full blood count (FBC), which may be requested for a variety of reasons
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Drugs of Abuse Urine Test for abused and/or illegal drugs.
Symptoms are: If you apply for a job where drug screens are carried out as a routine. Personnel with drug and alcohol problems have worse records for accidents and absenteeism; for this reason many employers screen all job applicants prior to appointment., If you have admitted having a drug problem and have enrolled in a detoxification or drug rehabilitation scheme.
If you believe you may have taken a drug accidentally or been given a drug without consent (e.g. drink spiking), If you are admitted to hospital in an emergency and doctors think that your treatment could be improved if drug abuse could be proved or excluded, If you take part in a sport at a professional level, If you apply for an insurance policy – some companies perform limited drug screening on applicants, For legal reasons (e.g. child custody cases).
Electrolytes Blood Test for body's electrolyte balance.
Symptoms are: imbalance of one of the electrolytes (usually sodium or potassium), or if your doctor suspects an acid-base imbalance
Range: Not given
Home test: No
ESR Blood Test for activity of inflammation as an aid in the diagnosis of the underlying cause .
Symptoms are: condition that causes inflammation and to help diagnose and follow the course of this, especially temporal arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica
Range: Low : n/a High : 20 mm/hr
Home test: No
Ethanol Blood/Urine Test for amount of alcohol present.
Symptoms are: alcohol toxicity or when a person is suspected of breaking drinking-related laws or as part of a drug testing panel for pre-employment or other purposes
Symptoms are: family history of cancer of the intestine and some other organs, when symptoms are suspicious of gut cancer or to help diagnose long-term unexplained anaemia
Range: Not given
Home test: No
FBC Blood Test for general health status and to screen for a variety of disorders, such as anaemia and infection, as well as nutritional status and exposure to toxic substances.
Symptoms are: routine medical exam or as determined by your doctor
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Ferritin Blood Test for levels of iron stored in your body.
Symptoms are: suspects you may not have enough iron or too much iron in your system
Symptoms are: unexplained or prolonged bleeding, an abnormal Prothrombin Time (PT) or activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) test, or have a relative with a hereditary fibrinogen deficiency or abnormality
Symptoms are: flu-like symptoms are due to a particular type or strain of the influenza virus, or due to other causes
Range: Not given
Home test: No
FSH Blood Test for function of your pituitary gland.
Symptoms are: having difficulty getting pregnant or are having irregular menstrual periods or if your doctor thinks that you have symptoms of a pituitary or hypothalamic disorder
Symptoms are: have a family history of cholesterol disorders, have a family history of heart attacks, especially at a young age, are overweight, have diabetes, have thick yellow patches (xanthomas) around your eyes or elsewhere on your skin, have high blood pressure, have had acute inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis), are a smoker
Range: Male Low : 0.7 High : 1.9 mmol/L, Female Low : 0.9 High : 2.4 mmol/L
Symptoms are: diagnosed with breast cancer and your doctor wants to determine whether the tumour's growth is influenced by the hormones oestrogen and/or progesterone
Range: Not given
Home test: No
HPV Test for infection with HPV, some types of which are associated with cervical cancer.
Symptoms are: sexually active, have symptoms of HPV infection (genital warts), or have an irregular cervical smear test
Range: Not given
Home test: No
hs-CRP Blood Test for predictionof risk of developing heart disease.
Symptoms are: risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease are present as part of cardiac risk assessment
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Immunoelectrophoresis Blood Test for multiple myeloma and a variety of other conditions that affect protein absorption, production, and loss as seen in severe organ disease and altered nutritional states.
Symptoms are: abnormal total protein or albumin level or if your doctor suspects that you have a condition that affects protein concentrations in the blood and/or causes protein loss through the urine
Range: Not given
Home test: No
INR Blood Test for blood-thinning medications (anti-coagulants).
Symptoms are: taking an anti-coagulant drug or think you may have a bleeding disorder
Range: Low : 0.9 High : 1.2
Home test: Yes
Insulin Blood Test for evaluation of insulin production, diagnose an insulinoma (insulin-producing tumour), and to help determine the cause of low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia).
Symptoms are: hypoglycaemia, if you have symptoms suggesting insulin is being inappropriately produced by your body, and sometimes if you have diabetes
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Ionized calcium Blood Test for level (concentration) of calcium in your blood.
Symptoms are: persons with kidney, bone, or nerve disease, or when symptoms of abnormal calcium are present
Symptoms are: too little or too much iron in your blood. Low iron can cause anaemia, and is usually due to long-term or heavy bleeding, pregnancy, or rapid growth (in children)
IRT Blood Test for cystic fibrosis (CF) in new-born infants.
Symptoms are: newborn infant has signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis particularly meconium ileus (no stools in the first 24 to 48 hours of life) or where there is a high risk of the baby having the condition
Symptoms are: acute or chronic condition that is causing tissue or cellular destruction
Range: Low : 85 High : 285 U/L
Home test: No
LDL Blood Test for determination of risk of developing heart disease.
Symptoms are: regular examination with a cholesterol test or lipid profile or if your total cholesterol is high
Range: Low : 2.4 High : 3 mmol/L
Home test: No
Lead Blood Test for elevated concentrations of lead in your blood.
Symptoms are: exposed to lead where you live or work, childrens inhaled dust or ingested substances that could contain lead (e.g., from paint chips or water from lead pipes found in older housing)
Range: Not given
Home test: No
LH Blood Test for function of your pituitary gland, which regulates the hormones that control your reproductive system.
Symptoms are: difficulty getting pregnant or are having irregular menstrual periods or if your doctor thinks that you have symptoms of a pituitary or hypothalamic disorder
Range: Not given
Home test: Yes
Lipase Blood Test for pancreatitis or other pancreatic disease.
Symptoms are: symptoms of a pancreatic disease, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite or nausea
Lp(a) Blood Test for cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease). Lp(a) may give additional information about the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in some people.
Symptoms are: family history of premature cardiovascular disease or elevated Lp(a) levels or if you develop cardiovascular disease at a young age, particularly in the absence of conventional risk factors
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Lupus Anticoagulant Blood Test for prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and/or a thrombotic episode.
Symptoms are: prolonged aPTT test. When you have had a venous or arterial thromboembolism. When you have had recurrent miscarriages, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Lyme Disease Blood Test for bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
Symptoms are: symptoms of Lyme disease, especially if you have recently been in an area with a large population of deer
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Magnesium Blood Test for level of magnesium in your blood and to help determine the cause of abnormal calcium and/or potassium levels.
Symptoms are: symptoms (such as weakness, irritability, cardiac arrhythmia, nausea, and/or diarrhoea) that may be due to too much or too little magnesium or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Maternal Screening Blood Test for a pregnant mother to assess the chance of her baby being born with an abnormality such as Down’s syndrome or spina bifida.
Symptoms are: 9th week of pregnancy. In most centres women will be offered screening at about 16 weeks, although it can be carried out until about 21 weeks of pregnancy
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Microalbumin Urine Test for a possible kidney disorder.
Symptoms are: after a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure)
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Monospot Blood Test for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever).
Symptoms are: mononucleosis, including fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and fatigue
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Myoglobin Blood Test for muscle, particularly heart muscle, has been injured .
Symptoms are: 2–3 hours for the first several hours after experiencing chest pain that is suspected to be a heart attack
Range: Not given
Home test: No
OCP Test for parasite infecting your gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms are: diarrhoea that lasts more than a few days and/or have blood or mucous in your loose stools, especially if you have drunk stream or lake water while camping
Symptoms are: hormone imbalance, abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual and/or early sex organ development (male and female).
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Osmolality Blood Test for osmolality of the blood (or urine).
Symptoms are: patient cannot produce concentrated urine, particularly following a head injury; when Diabetes Insipidus is suspected; when symptoms of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion are present; when an explanation of a low serum sodium is being sought
Range: Low : <300 High : >300 mOsm/l
Home test: No
p24 Blood Test for infection with HIV after a recent exposure or to monitor your body’s response to anti-HIV therapy .
Symptoms are: recently exposed to HIV
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Parathyroid Hormone Blood Test for determining whether PTH levels are responding normally to changes in blood calcium levels; to distinguish the cause of calcium imbalances, and to evaluate parathyroid function.
Symptoms are: calcium blood levels are higher or lower than normal, and when your doctor wants to determine how well your parathyroid gland is functioning
Range: Not given
Home test: No
PCV Blood Test for anaemia (too few red blood cells), polycythaemia (too many red blood cells), or dehydration.
Symptoms are: when full blood count (FBC) test
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Phenytoin Blood Test for phenytoin concentration in the blood, to maintain an appropriate level, and to detect phenytoin toxicity.
Symptoms are: regular intervals to monitor, as needed to detect low or toxic concentrations
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Phosphate Blood Test for level of phosphate in your blood.
Symptoms are: kidney disorder or uncontrolled diabetes, and if you are taking calcium or phosphate supplements
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Platelets Blood Test for bleeding disorder or a bone marrow disease.
Symptoms are: bone marrow or blood disease
Range: Low : 150 High : 400 x109/L
Home test: No
Potassium Blood Test for levels of potassium that are too high (hyperkalaemia) or too low (hypokalaemia).
Symptoms are: high blood pressure or kidney disease
Range: Low : 3.5 High : 4.5 mmol/L
Home test: No
Prealbumin Blood Test for patients with malnutrition and to monitor patients at risk of poor nutrition.
Symptoms are: malnourished because of poor diet, HIV, or an eating disorder; if you are about to be admitted to the hospital for surgery; if are hospitalised with certain diseases; or if you are having parenteral nutrition or kidney dialysis
Progesterone Blood Test for infertility, to assess when you are ovulating, to help diagnose an ectopic or failing pregnancy, to monitor the health during pregnancy, and to help diagnose the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding.
Symptoms are: woman’s menstrual cycle (period) to determine whether/when she is ovulating and producing eggs; during early pregnancy if symptoms suggest an ectopic or failing pregnancy; throughout pregnancy to help determine placental and fetal health; and in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Prolactin Blood Test for determination whether or not your prolactin levels are higher (or occasionally lower) than normal.
Symptoms are: elevated prolactin, such as galactorrhoea (milk production not during pregnancy) and/or visual disturbances and headaches; as part of investigation for female and male infertility; for follow up of low testosterone in men
Range: Male Low : n/a High : 450 mIU/L, Female Low : n/a High : 580 mIU/L
Home test: No
Protein (Total) Blood Test for certain liver and kidney disorders as well as other diseases.
Symptoms are: symptoms of a liver or kidney disorder
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Protein C Blood Test for thrombotic episode, to determine whether you may have an inherited or acquired Protein C or Protein S deficiency.
Symptoms are: unexplained thromboembolism (a blood vessel blocked by a blood clot), when your newborn has a severe clotting disorder, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or purpura fulminans. Sometimes when a close relative has an inherited Protein C or Protein S deficiency
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Protein Elec. Blood Test for multiple myeloma and a variety of other conditions that affect protein absorption, production, and loss as seen in severe organ disease and altered nutritional states.
Symptoms are: abnormal total protein or albumin level or if your doctor suspects that you have a condition that affects protein concentrations in the blood and/or causes protein loss through the urine
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Protein S Blood Test for thrombotic episode, to determine whether you may have an inherited or acquired Protein C or Protein S deficiency.
Symptoms are: unexplained thromboembolism (a blood vessel blocked by a blood clot), when your newborn has a severe clotting disorder, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or purpura fulminans. Sometimes when a close relative has an inherited Protein C or Protein S deficiency
Symptoms are: prostate disease, such as difficulty in passing urine, or passing urine more frequently than usual
Range: Low : n/a High : 4 μg/L
Home test: No
PSEN1 Blood Test for a rare mutation in the PSEN1 gene known to be associated with Early Onset Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (EOFAD).
Symptoms are: dementia and a strong family history of early onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD that begins before age 60-65) or if you are an adult with no symptoms but with an identified PSEN1 genetic mutation (and EOFAD) in your family
Range: Not given
Home test: No
PT Blood Test for blood-thinning medications (anti-coagulants) .
Symptoms are: taking an anti-coagulant drug or think you may have a bleeding disorder
Range: Low : 11 High : 13.5 s
Home test: No
PTH Blood Test for determining whether PTH levels are responding normally to changes in blood calcium levels; to distinguish the cause of calcium imbalances, and to evaluate parathyroid function. In some centres, PTH levels may be measured during surgery for hyperparathyroidectomy. This will confirm removal of the parathyroid gland(s).
Symptoms are: calcium blood levels are higher or lower than normal, and when your doctor wants to determine how well your parathyroid gland is functioning.
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Red Count Blood Test for number of red blood cells in your blood.
Symptoms are: part of a full blood count (FBC), which may be requested for a variety of reasons
Range: Male Low : 4.5 High : 6.5 x1012/L, Female Low : 3.8 High : 5.8 x1012/L
Home test: No
Renin Blood Test for aldosterone or renin levels and to detect hyperaldosteronism (overproduction of aldosterone) or hypoaldosteronism (underproduction of aldosterone).
Symptoms are: electrolyte imbalance or you develop symptoms of hyperaldosteronism, such as elevated blood pressure or muscle weakness
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Rheumatoid Factor Blood Test for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Symptoms are: RA or Sjögren’s syndrome
Range: Low : 0 High : 20 IU/mL
Home test: No
Rubella Blood Test for infection with the rubella virus, or to check that you are protected from the rubella virus.
Symptoms are: rubella infection
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Semen Analysis Test for investigation the health of your reproductive organs if your partner is having trouble becoming pregnant, or after a vasectomy to determine if the operation was successful.
Symptoms are: fertility problem or after you have had a vasectomy
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Sickle Cell Blood Test for presence of sickle cell trait or to confirm the presence of sickle cell disease.
Symptoms are: Afro-Carribean descent to determine if you carry one or both genes for sickle cell disease and for antenatal screening
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Sodium Blood Test for illnesses associated with abnormal sodium levels in the body.
Symptoms are: dehydration, oedema, problems with blood pressure, or have non-specific symptoms; as part of routine laboratory evaluations, or to monitor certain long-term conditions, like high or low blood pressure
Range: Low : 136 High : 145 mmol/L
Home test: No
Stool Culture Test for pathogenic bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms are: diarrhoea that lasts more than a few days and/or have blood or mucous in your loose stools
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Strep Throat Test for streptococcus pyogenes infection of the throat (strep throat).
Symptoms are: sore throat and fever and your doctor thinks it may be due to a bacterial cause
Symptoms are: frequent respiratory infections and chronic cough, persistent diarrhoea, foul-smelling bulky greasy stools, and malnutrition; and as a follow-up, confirmatory test to help diagnose CF
T4 Blood Test for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in adults.
Symptoms are: abnormal TSH test result
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Tau Protein Blood Test for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fluid leaking from the skull.
Symptoms are: watery discharge from your nose or ear (rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea) after you have suffered a skull fracture or after brain surgery
Range: Not given
Home test: No
TB Skin Test Test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) bacteria.
Symptoms are: diseases or conditions that weaken your immune system and put you at a greater risk of developing active tuberculosis. When you have had close contact with someone who has active TB, or work or live in a high risk environment
Symptoms are: infertile or if you are unable to get or maintain an erection; if you are a boy with either early or delayed sexual maturity; if you are a female but have male traits, such as a low voice or excessive body hair, or are infertile or have irregular periods
Range: Male Low : 8 High : 38 nmol/L, Male Puberty Low : 0.1 High : 0.5 nmol/L, Female Low : 0.3 High : 2.5 nmol/L
Home test: No
Ther. Drug Monitoring Blood Test for measuring the level of some drugs as a way to determine the most effective dose or to avoid toxicity.
Symptoms are:
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Thyroglobulin Blood Test for thyroid cancer and to detect recurrence.
Symptoms are: before and after radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer, and at regular intervals to monitor for recurrence
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Thyroid tests (TFT) Blood Test for thyroid disorders; to monitor treatment of hypothyroidism.
Symptoms are: too much or too little iron in your body because of a variety of conditions
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Total Protein Blood Test for certain liver and kidney disorders as well as other diseases.
Symptoms are: liver or kidney disorder
Range: Not given
Home test: No
TPMT Blood Test for detection of patients who are at risk of developing severe side effects if treated with the thiopurine drugs, azathioprine, mercaptopurine and thioguanine.
Symptoms are: having chest pain that may be a heart attack
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Trypsin Urine Test for cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency by evaluating pancreas function.
Symptoms are: newborn or infant has symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency or cystic fibrosis such as persistent diarrhea, foul-smelling bulky greasy stools, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiency
Range: Not given
Home test: No
TSH Blood Test for thyroid disorders; to monitor treatment of hypothyroidism.
Symptoms are: newborns; there is currently no recommendation in the UK for routine screening of adults
Symptoms are: imbalance of one of the electrolytes (usually sodium or potassium), or if your doctor suspects an acid-base imbalance. Electrolytes may also be checked if you are prescribed certain drugs, particularly diuretics or ACE inhibitors.
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Uric Acid Blood Test for high levels of uric acid, which could be a sign of the condition gout, or to monitor uric acid levels when undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Symptoms are: joint pain or other symptoms that your doctor suspects may be due to gout or when monitoring certain chemotherapy or radiation therapies for cancer
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Urinalysis Urine Test for metabolic and kidney disorders.
Symptoms are: tummy or back pain, frequent or painful urination, or blood in the urine
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Urine Culture Urine Test for urinary tract infection (UTI).
Symptoms are: symptoms of a UTI, such as pain during urination
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Urine Protein Urine Test for detecting excessive protein escaping into the urine, to help evaluate and monitor kidney function, and to detect kidney damage.
Symptoms are: disorder or disease that frequently affects the kidney
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Vancomycin Blood Test for concentration of vancomycin in the blood.
Symptoms are: vancomycin treatment
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Viral Load Blood Test for HIV disease and to guide therapy.
Symptoms are: first diagnosed with HIV, every 4 weeks at the start of therapy, and every 4 months during long-term therapy, or as your doctor recommends
Range: Not given
Home test: No
Vitamin D Blood Test for bone metabolism or parathyroid function, possible Vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption and to monitor some patients taking Vitamin D..
Symptoms are: doctor may request a Vitamin D measurement if you have an abnormal calcium, phosphate, and/or parathyroid hormone level, as part of the investigation of some forms of bone disease or occasionally if you have kidney failure or disease of the gastrointestinal tract that may result in malabsorption
Range: Not given
Home test: No
West Nile Virus Blood Test for viral meningitis or encephalitis that occurs during the summer season; to detect the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) .
Symptoms are: WNV such as headache, fever, stiff neck, and muscular weakness and a diagnosis of encephalitis and/or meningitis; also used as a screen for WNV in donated units of blood
Range: Not given
Home test: No
White Count Blood Test for infection or allergy and to monitor treatment.
Symptoms are: part of a full blood count (FBC), which may be used for a variety of reasons
