Primary Health Care Medical Tests

Blood tests and sampling

Complete blood count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to evaluate your overall
health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection and
leukemia.
A complete blood count test measures several components and features of
your blood, including:
Red blood cells, which carry oxygen
White blood cells, which fight infection
Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells
Hematocrit, the proportion of red blood cells to the fluid component, or
plasma, in your blood
Platelets, which help with blood clotting
Abnormal increases or decreases in cell counts as revealed in a complete blood
count may indicate that you have an underlying medical condition that calls for
further evaluation.
Blood pressure test
A blood pressure test measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps.
You might have a blood pressure test as a part of routine doctor's appointment
or as a screening for high blood pressure (hypertension). Many people, such as
those with high blood pressure, do their own blood pressure tests at home so
that they can better track their health.
You may have frequent blood pressure tests if you've been diagnosed with
prehypertension, high blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure
(hypotension).

Blood Glucose Test
A glucose test measures the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucose, also
known as sugar, is your bodys main source of energy. Your body converts the
carbohydrates you eat into glucose.
Glucose testing is done primarily to check for type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes,
and gestational. Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood glucose to rise.
In healthy individuals, the glucose level is managed in the body by a hormone
called insulin.
However, if you have diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or the
insulin does not work properly. This causes your blood glucose to rise. If left
untreated, high levels of blood glucose can cause organ damage.
More rarely, glucose testing may also be used to test for hypoglycemia, which
occurs when the levels of glucose in the blood are too low.
Diabetes and the Blood Glucose Test
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and teenagers whose bodies
are not able to produce enough insulin. It is a chronic condition and requires
treatment throughout an individuals life. Late onset Type 1 diabetes has been
shown to affect individuals in the 30 to 40 age group as well.
Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in overweight and obese adults. This
condition occurs when the body does not make enough insulin, or when the
insulin produced is not working properly. The impact of Type 2 diabetes may be
reduced through weight loss.
Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman develops diabetes.
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the woman gives birth.
After receiving a diagnosis, people with diabetes may have to get blood
glucose tests to determine if their condition is being managed well. A high
glucose level in a person with diabetes may mean that the diabetes is not being
managed correctly.



Other possible causes of high blood glucose levels include:
pre-diabetes (an individual is at an increased risk of developing type 2
diabetes)
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
kidney problems
pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
pancreatic cancer
In rare cases, high blood glucose levels could signal acromegaly, Cushing
syndrome, kidney failure, or adrenal tumor.
It is also possible to have levels of blood glucose that are too low. However, this
result is not as common. Low blood glucose or hypoglycemia may be caused
by:
insulin overuse
starvation
hypopituitarism
hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Addisons disease, alcohol abuse, liver disease, or insulinoma (in rare
cases)
How to Prepare for the Test
There are two different types of glucose blood testinga fasting glucose test
and a random glucose test.
If you are having a fasting glucose test, you should not eat or drink for eight
hours before your test. You can only drink plain water. You may want to
schedule a fasting glucose test first thing in the morning, so you do not have to
fast during the day.
You may eat and drink before a random glucose test.
Severe stress can cause a temporary increase in blood glucose. This stress is
usually due to surgery, trauma, stroke, or heart attack. Certain medications can
also affect blood glucose levels.
Always tell your doctor about the medications you are onincluding
prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements. He or she may
ask you to stop taking some medications or decide to change the dosage
before your test.
Medications that can affect blood glucose levels include:
acetaminophen
corticosteroids
steroids
diuretics
oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
hormone therapy
aspirin
atypical antipsychotics
lithium
epinephrine
tricyclic antidepressants
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
phenytoin
sulfonylurea medications
What to Expect During the Test
This simple test involves giving only a small sample of blood.
A technician will draw blood from your vein, usually from inside the elbow or on
the back of your hand. Before drawing blood, the technician will clean the area
with antiseptic to kill any germs. He or she will tie an elastic band around your
upper arm, causing your blood to pool in the vein.
The technician will then insert a sterile needle into your vein. The blood will be
drawn into a tube and the elastic band removed from around your arm. You
may feel slight to moderate pain, similar to a needle prick or a burning
sensation. You can reduce your pain by trying to relax your arm.
When the technician is finished drawing blood, he or she will remove the needle,
apply pressure to the insertion spot, and apply a bandage. Continue applying
pressure for a few minutes to prevent bruising. The sample of blood you gave will
then be sent to the lab for testing. Your doctor will follow-up with you to discuss
the results.
Test Risks
The chance of experiencing a problem during or after a blood test is low.
Possible risks include:
multiple puncture wounds if it is difficult to find a vein
excessive bleeding
lightheadedness or fainting
hematoma (blood collecting under the skin)
infection

URINALYSIS
A urinalysis is a laboratory test done to detect problems with your body that can
appear in your urine.
Many illnesses and disorders affect how your body removes waste and toxins.
The system that takes care of that is broadly called the excretory system, and
includes your lungs, kidneys, urinary tract, skin, and bladder. Problems with any
of these parts of your body can affect the appearance, concentration, and
content of your urine (Mayo).
Urinalysis is not the same as drug screening or pregnancy tests, although all
three tests involve a urine sample.
Why Urinalysis Is Done
There are several reasons your doctor may order you to undergo urinalysis.
Urinalysis is often used as pre-emptive screening during pregnancy checkups,
prior to surgery, or part of a routine medical exam or physical.
Your doctor may order urinalysis if he or she suspects you of having certain
conditions, or you experience certain symptoms, including:
abdominal pain
back pain
blood in the urine
diabetes
kidney disease
liver disease
painful urination
urinary tract infection
If youve been diagnosed with any of these conditions, your doctor may use
urinalysis testing to check on the progress of treatments or tracking the
progression of a disease.
The Risks of Urinalysis
Urinalysis carries no risks to the patient as it simply requires you to urinate in a
cup.
How to Prepare for Urinalysis
One of the best ways to prepare for giving a urine sample is to make sure you
drink enough water to provide an adequate sample.
Prior to the test, tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you take
as these may affect the results.


How Urinalysis Is Performed
Urinalysis is performed in a laboratory setting. This may be at your doctors office,
hospital, or specialized testing facility.
Youll be given a plastic cup. Youll take the cup to the bathroom. There, in a
private setting, youll urinate into the cup. If you have too much urine and not
enough cup, you can finish urinating in the toilet.
When youre finished, youll place the lid on the cup and wash your hands.
Youll either bring the cup out of the bathroom with you, or leave it in a special
box inside the bathroom.
After youve provided your sample, your portion of the test is done. The sample
will then be sent to a lab, or remain in the hospital if they have the necessary
equipment.
The urine sample will be tested by appearance, under a microscope, and with
specialized strips treated with chemicals to test for the following:
bilirubin, a product of red blood cell death
blood
concentration
leukocytes, nitrates, and other signs of infection
sugars
pH levels (acidity)
Following Up After a Urinalysis
When the results from your urinalysis are complete, your doctor will review them
with you.
Abnormal results from urinalysis typically require additional screening methods to
adequately determine the cause of your problems. This could include blood
tests, imaging tests (CT scans, MRI, etc.), or other diagnostic procedures.


Medical imaging
Medical imaging is a term that covers tests done in radiology and nuclear
medicine to enable a doctor to confirm, rule out or clarify a diagnosis in order to
determine the most appropriate treatment.
Radiology services include lung x-rays and simple limb x-rays, etc.