FAQ

Blood Tests in case of suspected heart attack include CBC, CPK, CPK-MB, LDH, Trop T, Trop I.

They may need to be repeated at an interval of 3 - 4 hrs.

Frequent headaches are usually due to Sinus Infection, Diabetes, Anaemia, Dehydration or Hypothyroidism.

So Lab Tests needed are CBC, ESR, CRP, Thyroid Profile, Fasting Blood Sugar, Kidney Profile.

If hemoglobin is low, it means you have anaemia.

There are several causes of anaemia - most commonly due to iron deficiency, Vitamin B12 deficiency, defective hemoglobins, chronic illnesses, blood loss, some medications, bone marrow disorders, absorption disorders of stomach or intestines.

To find out the cause of anaemia, you need to take a few blood tests, usually clubbed in a panel.

It is not wise to start self medication for anaemia without finding out its real cause.

SGPT is the parameter to watch in case of liver damage.

Common causes of liver damage include alcohol, drug abuse, smoking, and obesity. Making lifestyle changes at an early stage can cause reversal of damage.

There are several tests to detect kidney damage, but the most sensitive parameter is Creatinine.

High Creatinine levels are seen in High Blood Pressure, High Blood Sugar, Frequent use of Pain Killers, Too much intake of Protein, Salt or Sodas.

3 out of 4 Indians are Vitamin D deficient as per recent survey. Once we find out our low Vitamin D level, and start supplementation, the levels increase gradually over a period of 4 - 8 weeks to normal. However, the levels keep falling again unless we keep taking a maintenance dose of Vitamin D.

As such, we must measure our Vitamin D every 6 months to keep healthy muscles and bones.

It is important to note that you must take Vitamin D blood test 48 hrs before your next due dose.

After exposure, you need to wait for atleast 6 weeks to 6 months for Antibody tests to become positive. This is called the window period.

Fortunately, there are other tests available now, that can detect HIV infection as early as 2 weeks after exposure. However, these are PCR tests, and are slightly costly as compared to Antibody tests.

CBC can detect Blood Cancers

CA 19.9 can detect Pancreatic Cancer

CA 125 can detect Ovarian Cancer

CA 15.3 can detect Breast Cancer

CEA can detect Breast, Colon, Lung, Pancreatic and Thyroid Cancers

PSA can detect Prostate Cancer

PAP Smears can detect Cervical Cancer.

Blood Tests for which Fasting is Compulsory include : Fasting Blood Glucose, Lipid Profile and Fasting Insulin. However, we recommend our patients to give samples in fasting state for all hormone tests as well, so that a uniformity is maintained in their repeat assays for easy comparison.

Fasting means you cannot eat, smoke, chew gum, or exercise, and preferably avoid any medicines until necessary, for 8 to 10 hrs. This is usually not difficult, as most of the time is spent sleeping at night. You have to sacrifice your early morning tea for some time - that's all.

Its okay if you wish to have small amount of plain water during this period.

Also, do not fast for more than 12 hrs for giving your blood sample, as it starts alternate metabolic systems in the body, and affect your test results.

Celiac Disease presents with symptoms of bloating, alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation, gas, stomach pain. The symptoms are similar to Gluten Sensitivity and IBS, but the underlying cause is different.

Celiac Disease can be diagnosed with a simple blood test called tTg-IgA.

Prothrombin Time, also called PT/INR, is a blood test mostly done in people who are on blood thinners for heart disease, or in those who have liver problems. It is also part of routine check up before any surgery because the surgeon wants to make sure that your blood clots in time.

It is important to keep PT/INR level within range, as elevated INR levels can cause internal bleed and haemorrhages.

Thyroid illness can be detected by a simple blood test called TSH.

Although thyroid illness is predominantly seen in females, males are not entirely spared. Generally think of thyroid disorder if you have following symptoms:

Cold or Heat Intolerance

Anxiety and Nervousness

Unexplained weight gain or weight loss

Trouble Sleeping, forgetfulness

Constipation

Fatigue, Dry Skin

Irregular Menstrual Periods

Vision problems

Hoarseness of Voice.

Fatty Liver is mostly asymptomatic. Symptoms may be vague like feeling low with loss of appetite and abdominal pain. There are two types of fatty liver - Alcoholic and Non Alcoholic. It is important to detect it early, else, the liver can go into irreversible injury and fibrosis.

You need to do a Liver Function Blood Test.

Grade 1 and 2 fatty liver is reversible, while 3 is not.

PCOD is diagnosed when you have a triad of symptoms, including menstrual irregularities, unwanted hair growth and acne, and obesity.

PCOD and PCOS have similar symptoms, but clinically they are  different conditions. PCOD is primarily a lifestyle disorder. PCOS is a metabolic disorder and slightly more serious. Early diagnosis is key to management.

Several blood tests are needed to diagnose it step by step. You may need to consult your doctor, or take up a PCOD profile blood test and show the results to your doctor.

Tests included are Testosterone Total, SHBG, BHCG, FSH, LH, Prolactin, Estradiol, TSH, DHEAS, Androstenedione, 17 OH Progesterone, 24 hr Urine Free Cortisol, Glucose Fasting/PP, Fasting Insulin, Fasting Lipid Profile.

The list may look exhaustive, but you may not need all the tests initially. 

Pause hormonal tablets atleast 2 months before taking the blood tests.

On time diagnosis is critical to reduce risk of long term health problems.

Frequent Urination is more than just a nuisance. Common Causes are:

Urinary Tract Infection

Diabetes

Nerve Related Problems

Prostate Enlargement.

Simple tests to diagnose the above problems include :

Urine Routine and Culture

Blood Glucose Estimation (Fasting and Post Prandial)

Vitamin B12 Level

PSA Total

Microalbumin (ACR) is a Urine Test that can detect kidney disease at the earliest stage. ACR should be checked anually.

It is the best screening test, especially in people with diabetes and/ or high blood pressure.

HbA1c less than 6%

LDL Cholesterol less than 100 mg/dl

Vitamin D between 30 - 60 ng/dl

Hemoglobin more than 12 in females and more than 14 in males.

Creatinine below 1.0 mg/dl

If these parameters are within limits, you can give a thumbs up to your overall health.

Mostly Acne can be managed by keeping skin clean, avoiding triggers and taking healthy nutrition.

Acne triggers include:

Hormone Imbalance, Greasy Cosmetics, Medicine Side Effects, Environmental Allergens, Humidity, Chronic Stress, High Sugar Diets, Refined Carbohydrates, Rice, Soda, Skim Milk, Whey Protein.

Blood Tests that may detect hormone imbalance include SHBG and DHEAS.

Basic tests for detecting allergy are CBC (Complete Blood Counts), AEC (Absolute Eosinophil Count) and Serum IgE.

Take care to take these tests after a gap of at least 12 hours from the last dose of any anti-allergy medicine that you may already be taking.

If the eosinophil count and IgE levels are high, you may need to test further for the allergen that may be causing your problem.

Specific tests are available for food allergens, drug allergens, contact allergens and inhalants. Also, packages are available that detect the entire group of common allergens. You can choose as per your requirement, or consultation with a medical practitioner. 

Tuberculosis is a disease which affects all organs of the body, except nails and hair. There is no single test to detect Tuberculosis, especially non pulmonary Tuberculosis.

The only way you can confirm Tuberculosis is by way of demonstrating the Tuberculosis bacteria, also called Acid Fast Bacilli  (AFB) in samples like sputum, ascitic or pleural fluid, lymph node aspirates, or tissue biopsies.

Sometimes, in case of high index of suspicion, doctors rely on supportive tests like CBC with ESR, Mantoux Test, ADA levels, TB IGRA, or by exclusion of other diseases.

Glucose Tolerance Test is a blood test, where you have to give blood sample before and after drinking glucose, as per your doctor's advise. This test detects efficiency of your body's glucose metabolism. If the values of blood glucose are high, it means you already have diabetes, or are prone to develop it in recent future.

GTT three sample test is mostly prescribed during pregnancy, as high glucose levels affect the development of the baby.

The most important factor to be considered should be Quality - Quality in sample taking and testing, even if it comes at some extra price. Because your test results guide your entire diagnosis and treatment.

The best way to judge Quality is to match your results with your clinical condition. Whenever in doubt, ask the Lab to recheck results within the same or next day. If they listen to you with concern, and re-examine your sample, you are at the right place.

Additional attributes like presentation, prompt reports, competitive pricing, convenient location, and friendliness of staff are always welcome.

Both Amylase and Lipase blood tests are used to find out if you are suffering from Pancreatitis. Levels of these enzymes are markedly raised in Pancreatitis, and need immediate treatment. Results of blood tests have to be co-related with clinical condition. Mostly pancreatitis would cause severe abdominal pain, and is associated with smoking and alcoholism.

FNAC test is available at all our centres. The lump has to be superficial or palpable. You need to take appointment with our Pathologist before coming. The test procedure and reporting costs Rs 1360 at our Laboratory.

Common fevers include Dengue Fever, Malaria, Typhoid and UTI other than Flu. When we want to know the type of fever, we have to undergo certain blood  and urine tests.

It is important to know that Dengue, Malaria and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can be detected on Day 1 of fever, however, Typhoid Fever needs atleast 72 hrs for detection after onset of symptoms.

The best test for early detection of typhoid fever is blood culture, however, since the procedure is cumbersome, and may still not detect all cases, doctors usually prefer to test for typhoid after 3 - 4 days of high fever.

There are 2 tests for detection of typhoid antibodies - Widal Test, and Typhidot Test. Widal test provides titres of antibodies, but a rising titre has to be demonstrated for a relatively confirmatory diagnosis, as single high titres may be non-specific. Typhidot test on the other hand gives results of recent and old antibodies (IgM/IgG), and therefore, a better test.

Dual Marker Test, also called Dual Test is a blood test prescribed during early weeks of pregnancy, before 13 wks 6 days of gestation by Ultrasound. This is a predictive test for detecting chances of chromosomal defects in the fetus, namely Down Syndrome and Edward's Syndrome.

This is not a fasting test. However, you need to provide the latest report of NT Ultrasound Scan, and your current body weight.

Dual Marker Test is not diagnostic of any disease. If the test turns out positive, your doctor woud need to get further testing and scanning done to confirm the diagnosis.

BHCG is a hormone related to pregnancy. Quantitative determinations in blood are done to detect early pregnancy, even before a missed period.

BHCG levels are usually repeated after 48 hrs to find out if the levels are increasing as desired for a normal pregnancy.

BHCG levels are increased in ectopic pregnancies as well as molar pregnancies. Its quantification helps the physician to find out the type of pregnancy, and its viability.

No preparation is required. Blood sample can be given anytime of the day.

Prolactin is a hormone primarily related to lactation. However, it is concerned with numerous other functions in the body.

For Prolactin Blood Test, it is advised to give sample after 2 to 3 wakeful hours, preferably in fasting state, or without having high sugary foods and drinks. Also avoid strenuous exercise 30 minutes before the test.

High levels of prolactin are normal during pregnancy and after childbirth. It is also seen in stress, anorexia nervosa, hypothyroidism, hypothalamic and pituitary diseases, kidney disease, PCOD, prolactinomas or due to drugs such as estrogen, TCA, opiates, amphetamines, some antihypertensives and cimetidine. Low levels of prolactin are indicative of general hypopituitarism or intake of certain drugs.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is one of the acute phase proteins synthesised by hepatocytes. The serum concentration of CRP increases during acute stages of diverse diseases associated with inflammation and tissue injury. Elevated CRP has been demonstrated in nearly all bacterial and fungal infections. In addition, it has been shown to be increased in other diseases as neoplasia, rheumatic diseases, as well as major surgery.

The diagnostic usefulness of CRP is based on the rapidity and magnitude of its increase. Serum concentrations are increased within hours of disease onset. A fall in CRP level from its previous concentration indicates recovery.

Automated testing is more accurate. However, no amount of automation can equal the decision making capability of a skilled and experienced worker.

The sample should be collected after 3 days of abstinence by masturbation, preferably at laboratory washroom, or at home, and the complete ejaculate should be submitted for evaluation.

Note the exact time of sample collection, and submit to laboratory as soon as possible. Do not keep sample in fridge. Do not let sample stand at home for long. Samples need to be analysed after 45 minutes.

If you wish to collect urine sample at home, kindly collect a labeled container from our laboratory. You must collect early morning midstream sample for best results. After collection, the sample must be sent within 1- 2 hours to the laboratory.

Blood for analysis in infants should be collected prior to feed, as milky & turbid serum interferes with certain testing.

Yes, your pathologist has the entire information about your sample, and about any problems that may have occurred during its analysis. You should discuss your report with him if you have any doubt.

Proper sample collection is the first step to correct results. This includes timing of sample collection, whether any special preparation is required, whether any drug has to be stopped before getting the test done, proper mixing of sample with correct anticoagulant, and such other factors. Lipaemic or hemolysed blood samples may give inaccurate results.

Ideally the samples should be tested immediately after collection, especially urine and stool samples. Some samples can be transported. However, transportation of sample needs stringent temperature and leak control measures, otherwise loss of quality can occur.

You may get a preliminary information of whether a growth is there, but a final report showing drug sensitivity of cultured bacteria is available only the next day, even with the latest equipment and technology.

Testing for Glycosylated Hemoglobin gives you an idea of blood glucose control for the past three months. It can help you and your doctor know if the measures you are taking to control your diabetes are successful or need to be adjusted.

If you are nervous or have a tendency to feel woozy or faint, tell the phlebotomist before you begin. Your blood can be drawn while you are lying down, which will help you avoid fainting and injuring yourself. If, at any time, you feel faint or lightheaded, tell the phlebotomist or someone nearby. Putting your head between your knees or lying down should make you feel better soon.