Laboratory medicine is vital in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. Led by expert physicians and staff, Matrix Hospital laboratory applies expertise to each lab sample, interpreting integrated approaches and proven practices.
Board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologists deliver testing services to help patients make decisions.
With a diverse array of testing services, the laboratory provides centralized data and support to reduce the time of patients' diagnoses and treatments. Our laboratory continues to provide patient satisfaction while reducing healthcare costs.
Common Tests Performed at a Laboratory
Chemical processes are applied to determine the chemical components in body fluids and tissues. The most common specimens tested in the laboratory include blood and urine. Different tests exist to determine the chemical components in blood or urine. The components may include enzymes, hormones, blood glucose, lipids, electrolytes, proteins, and other metabolic substances.
Urine Test
A urine test involves collecting a urine sample and testing it for various cells and chemicals, such as white blood cells, red blood cells, infection, and excessive protein. This technique breaks down the presence of protein, drugs, blood, and other substances. While high protein levels in urine may indicate kidney or cardiovascular disease, blood in urine may point towards a non-cancerous condition.
Blood Test
Blood tests are conducted to check various blood chemistries, inflammation markers, cell counts and genetics.
Types of Blood Tests
- Antinuclear Antibody: To detect rheumatoid arthritis
- Blood Chemistry Study: To diagnose organ or tissue disease
- Blood Lipid Profile: To check the levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.
- B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Testing: Check BNP that is released in response to wall tension that occurs with heart failure
- Complement: Low levels of complement are associated with immune disorders
- Complete Blood Count Measures the size, number, and maturity of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
- Creatinine: Identifies underlying kidney disease
- C-Reactive Protein: Detects the presence of inflammation or infection
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Measures how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of the test tube; if they fall quickly, it indicates inflammation
- Fetal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): Checks stool for blood
- Genetic Studies: Evaluates conditions that run in the families
- Hematocrit: Measures the number of red blood cells whose low levels could indicate rheumatoid diseases
- Liver Function Tests: Determines proper liver functioning and can distinguish between acute and chronic liver disorders
- Peripheral Blood Smear: Detects blast cells, white blood cells, platelets and changes in shape of blood cells
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF): Detects the presence of rheumatoid factor in the blood that could indicate rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatoid diseases
- Sedimentation Rate: Checks the rate at which red blood cells settle in a test tube
Tumor Markers
Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells in blood or urine or substances developed by the body in response to cancer cells. They evaluate how well a person is responding to treatment and check for tumor recurrence. They are helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
Tumor marker tests include Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), CA 125, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), CA 19-9, CA 15-3, CA 27-29, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and Bladder tumor marker studies.
If you are suffering from severe pain, check your blood and urine through Matrix Hospital's laboratory services.