Laboratory tests Indications and Significance

Indications of Lab tests:

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

1. To confirm the diagnosis of the disease.
   1. Some of these tests are confirmatory and some are suggestive of that disease. Confirmatory tests like Bone marrow examination for typing of leukemia.
   2. Hemoglobin to diagnose the 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 in the diagnosis of diseases like TLC in the case of acute appendicitis or other reason. LFT to find the type of jaundice.
3. To know the prognosis:
   1. Lab tests help to know the progress of the disease like ESR in the case of Tuberculosis. Tumor markers in the treatment of cancers.
4. To monitor the treatment:
   1. Lab tests help in the effectiveness of the treatment like chemotherapy in ovarian cancers or Renal function tests in renal disease. INR in anticoagulant therapy.
5. As screening tests:
   1. Lab tests are done as panels for the diagnosis of disease in a community e.g. Screening in the blood bank of donors.
      

      laboratory tests significance