Indications for The Most Common Tests

What sample is needed for routine blood tests?

• The best sample is fasting blood.
• Few common tests should be done routinely after a certain period or in some diseases.

What common tests are indicated in the various diseases?

• Most common tests give the functional status of various organs:
  1. Liver function.
  2. Kidney function.
  3. Thyroid function.
  4. Anemia.
  5. Prostatic cancer in males.
  6. PAP smear to detect cervical cancer.
  7. The possibility of colon cancer.

What are interpretations of  Most Common Tests?

Test	When indicated
Serum potassium	The Patients are on diuretic drugs. Cardiac arrhythmias Potassium supplement
Occult blood stool	As a screening test after the age of 45 years
TSH	To diagnose hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or thyroid dysfunctions After the age of 50 years or above
Amylase	To diagnose pancreatitis or abdominal pain
LFT	To diagnose liver diseases. Monitor the patient on hepatotoxic drugs
Hemoglobin	To diagnose anemia and monitor the treatment of anemia
Hematocrit	Used as a baseline study for abnormal bleeding or anemia
TLC	To differentiate acute or chronic infection Diagnose leukemia
DLC	To differentiate acute or chronic infection For typing of anemia To diagnose leukemia
Platelet count	To find thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis
PT	For monitoring of anticoagulant therapy
Fasting blood glucose	Do it every 3 years after the age of 45 years. It is used to monitor D.Mellitus
Urine culture	For patients with pus (WBC) in urine
Urinalysis	In the case of urinary diseases In pregnant ladies In prostatic hyperplasia
PSA	Screening for men above the age of 50 years to rule out prostatic cancer
Pap  smear	Yearly women after the age of 18 years
Creatinine	To diagnose kidney diseases
CPK	To diagnose muscular diseases

---