Laboratory Tests: Indications and Significance

Laboratory Tests: Indications and Significance

What are the indications for Laboratory tests?

There are the following indications and significance for ordering any lab test:

1. To confirm the diagnosis of the disease.
   1. Some of these tests are confirmatory, and some suggest the disease. Confirmatory tests like Bone marrow examination for typing of leukemia.
   2. Hemoglobin to diagnose anemia. Thyroid function tests for diagnosis of hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Widal test to diagnose enteric fever.
2. To help in the differential diagnosis:
   1. Lab tests help diagnose diseases like TLC for acute appendicitis or other reasons. LFT to find the type of jaundice.
3. To know the prognosis:
   1. Lab tests help assess disease progression, such as ESR in tuberculosis. Tumor markers in cancer treatment.
4. To monitor the treatment:
   1. Lab tests help determine the effectiveness of treatments, such as chemotherapy for ovarian cancer or renal function tests for renal disease. INR is also used in anticoagulant therapy.
5. As screening tests:
   1. Lab tests are done as a panel to diagnose disease in a community, e.g., Screening in blood banks for donors.