A Pap smear detects cervical cell changes before they develop into cervical cancer. Learn about how a Pap smear works and what the results mean for your health.
Explains how the lactate test is used, when a lactate test is ordered, and what the results of a lactate test might mean. The lactate test is primarily ordered to help determine if someone has lactic acidosis, a level of lactate that is high enough to disrupt a person's acid-base (ph) balance.
Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a protein that is produced by most, but not all, epithelial ovarian cancer cells. An HE4 test may be used along with CA-125 for women who have been treated for epithelial ovarian cancer to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and for recurrence of the cancer.
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) blood tests are used, usually in conjunction with cortisol tests, to help detect, diagnose, and monitor conditions associated with excessive or deficient cortisol in the body, such as Cushing disease, Cushing syndrome, Addison disease, secondary adrenal insufficiency, and hypopituitarism.
The activated clotting time (ACT) is commonly used to monitor treatment with high dose heparin before, during, and shortly after medical procedures that require that blood be prevented from clotting, such as cardiac bypass surgery, cardiac angioplasty, and dialysis.
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone made by the kidneys that plays a key role in production of red blood cells. An EPO test can help diagnose the cause of anemia or help identify people who need EPO replacement therapy.
The flu is a respiratory illness triggered by infection with an influenza virus. Our guide explains the types of flu tests and when and how they may be used.
Do you suspect you have a vaginal yeast infection? Learn about options for at-home vaginal yeast infection testing and the pros and cons of testing at home.
