Laboratory Tests: MedlinePlus

Laboratory Tests: MedlinePlus





A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health

Laboratory tests check a sample of your blood, urine, or body tissues. A technician or your doctor analyzes the test samples to see if your results fall within the normal range. The tests use a range because what is normal differs from person to person. Many factors affect test results. These include

• Your sex, age and race
• What you eat and drink
• Medicines you take
• How well you followed pre-test instructions

Your doctor may also compare your results to results from previous tests. Laboratory tests are often part of a routine checkup to look for changes in your health. They also help doctors diagnose medical conditions, plan or evaluate treatments, and monitor diseases.

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Comprehensive metabolic panel

Related Topics

• Diagnostic Imaging
• Diagnostic Tests

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• Start Here

  • Laboratory Tests(Food and Drug Administration)
  • Understanding Laboratory Tests(National Cancer Institute)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Understanding Your Tests(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

• Overviews

  • Asking Questions about Medical Tests(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
  • Directory of Medical Tests(Nemours Foundation)
  • Also available in Spanish

• Latest News

  • New Blood Test May Help Detect Heart Transplant Rejection(06/18/2014, HealthDay)
  • Blood Test May Spot Pancreatic Cancer Earlier(05/20/2014, HealthDay)
  • Urine Test May Help Spot Dangerous Blood Clots(05/19/2014, HealthDay)
  • More News on Laboratory Tests

• Coping

  • Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Test Preparation: Your Role(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Tips on Blood Testing(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

• Specific Conditions

  • Blood Culture Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel)(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Chloride Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Complete Blood Count(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Electrolytes Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Home Use Tests(Food and Drug Administration)
  • Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Potassium Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Sodium Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Stool Tests(Nemours Foundation)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Urine Tests (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
  • World of Forensic Laboratory Testing(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
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• Related Issues

  • Collecting Samples for Testing(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Deciphering Your Lab Report(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Helping You Identify Quality Laboratory Services(Joint Commission) - PDF
  • How Reliable Is Laboratory Testing?(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • How You Can Get the Best Results with Home Use Tests(Food and Drug Administration)
  • Putting New Laboratory Tests Into Practice(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • Reference Ranges & What They Mean(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • What Do Blood Tests Show?(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
  • Where Lab Tests Are Performed(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  • With Home Testing, Consumers Take Charge of Their Health(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
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• Videos

  • Asking Questions about Medical Tests(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
  • Female -- Clean-Catch Urine Test(Healthy Roads Media)
  • Getting a Urine Test(Nemours Foundation)
  • Also available in Spanish
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• Research

  • Point-of-Care Diagnostic Testing(National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering) - PDF
  • Salivary Diagnostics(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
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• Journal Articles

  References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
  • Article: On call. At my last office exam, I asked my...
  • Article: Unintentional weight loss in older adults.
  • Article: Unintentional weight loss in older adults.
  • Laboratory Tests -- see more articles
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• Dictionaries/Glossaries

  • Glossary(Food and Drug Administration)
  • Index of Glossary Terms(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
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• Directories

  • Accredited Laboratory Directory(College of American Pathologists)
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• Law and Policy

  • How You Can Know If FDA Regulates an Over-The-Counter Test(Food and Drug Administration)
  • Lab Oversight: A Building Block of Trust(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
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• Children

  • Basic Blood Tests (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Blood Culture (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
  • Complete Blood Count(Nemours Foundation)
  • Tips to Help Children through Their Medical Tests(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
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• Seniors

  • Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
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