Lab tests
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Blood test from a veinA nurse takes a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm with a thin needle. One tube of blood can be used for many tests.⏱ usually 3 to 5 minutesFinger-prick blood testA nurse makes a tiny prick on your fingertip and collects a few drops of blood. This is used for simple tests that need only a little blood.⏱ usually 2 to 3 minutesComplete blood countThis test shows how many red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets you have, and your hemoglobin level. It is the most common blood test.⏱ the blood draw takes 3 to 5 minutes; results usually come the next dayBlood chemistry testA blood test from a vein that shows how your liver, kidneys, and metabolism are working. Your doctor chooses which values to check.⏱ the blood draw takes 3 to 5 minutes; results usually come in 1 to 2 daysBlood glucose testThis test shows how much sugar is in your blood right now. Blood is taken from a vein or a finger.⏱ the blood draw takes 2 to 5 minutes. Results usually come the same day or the nextHbA1c blood testA blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the last 2 to 3 months. One short spike in sugar barely affects it.⏱ usually 5 minutes; blood is taken from a veinGlucose tolerance testThis test checks how your body handles sugar. Blood is taken while fasting, and again 2 hours after you drink a glucose solution.⏱ about 2 to 2 and a half hours at the clinicLipid panel (cholesterol)A blood test from a vein that measures fats in your blood: total cholesterol, "bad" and "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides.⏱ the blood draw takes 3 to 5 minutes. Results usually take 1 to 2 daysThyroid hormones (TSH, T4)A blood test from a vein for hormones that show how your thyroid gland is working.⏱ the blood draw takes 3 to 5 minutes, and results usually take 1 to 3 daysBlood clotting testA blood test that shows how fast your blood clots. Blood is taken from a vein.⏱ the blood draw takes a few minutes; results usually in 1 to 2 daysC-reactive protein (CRP)A blood test from a vein. It shows if there is inflammation in your body and how strong it is.⏱ the blood draw takes 2 to 3 minutes; results usually in 1 dayFerritin and iron testA blood test from a vein. It shows how much iron is in your blood now, and how much iron your body has stored.⏱ the blood draw takes a few minutes; results usually in 1 to 2 daysVitamin D testA blood test from a vein. It shows how much vitamin D is stored in your body.⏱ the blood draw usually takes 5 minutesBlood type and Rh factorThis test shows your blood type and Rh factor: positive or negative. Blood is taken from a vein or a finger.⏱ taking the blood takes 1 to 3 minutesHIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis testA blood test from a vein that looks for signs of these infections. One tube is usually enough for all four.⏱ the blood draw takes 3 to 5 minutes. Results usually take 1 to 5 daysPSA blood testThis is a regular blood test from a vein. It shows the level of a protein made by the prostate gland.⏱ the blood draw takes 2 to 3 minutes; the result usually comes in 1 to 2 dayshCG blood pregnancy testA blood test for a hormone the body makes during pregnancy. It is more accurate than a home test and shows the hormone level as a number.⏱ the blood draw itself takes 2 to 5 minutesSex hormone blood testA regular blood test from a vein. It checks the hormones that control the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and men's health.⏱ drawing the blood takes a few minutesTumor markersA blood test for special substances whose levels can change with some tumors. Blood is taken from a vein, like a regular blood test.⏱ drawing the blood takes a few minutes; results usually take 1 to 5 daysBlood test for allergiesA blood test that looks for antibodies to different allergens: pollen, dust, pet hair, and foods. Skin tests are not needed for it.⏱ usually 5 minutes; blood is taken from a veinUrine testYou collect morning urine in a small container at home and bring it to the lab. It shows how your kidneys work and whether there is inflammation.⏱ collecting takes 2 to 3 minutes at home, and results usually come the next day24-hour urine collectionYou collect all your urine for 24 hours in one container. This shows the doctor how much protein, salts, and other substances leave your body in a day.⏱ collecting takes exactly 24 hours; results usually take 1 to 3 daysUrine cultureUrine is placed in a growth medium to see if germs grow. If they do, the lab checks which antibiotics work on them.⏱ collecting takes a few minutes; results usually take 3 to 7 daysStool test (coprogram)A small amount of stool is looked at under a microscope. It shows how food is digested and whether there is inflammation.⏱ collecting at home takes a few minutes; results usually take 1 to 3 daysStool test for hidden bloodThis test looks for blood in your stool that you cannot see. It is a simple way to spot early signs of bowel polyps or tumors.⏱ 5 minutes to collect at home; results in 1 to 3 daysPCR nose and throat swabA nurse gently runs a soft swab in your nose and throat and sends it to the lab. The test looks for traces of viruses or bacteria.⏱ the swab itself takes about a minute, and results usually take 1 to 2 daysVaginal swab testThe gynecologist takes a swab from the walls of the vagina and the cervix. It is checked under a microscope for inflammation and infection.⏱ the procedure takes 1 to 2 minutes. Results usually take 1 to 3 daysPap test (cervical smear)The gynecologist takes cells from your cervix with a soft brush. They are checked under a microscope to find early changes that could turn into cancer.⏱ the test itself takes 1 to 2 minutes, and results usually take 1 to 2 weeksSemen analysisA test of semen under a microscope. It checks the number of sperm, how well they move, and their shape.⏱ collecting the sample usually takes 10 to 20 minutesSputum testYou cough up mucus from your lungs into a sterile container. The lab looks at it under a microscope and, if needed, grows a culture.⏱ collecting takes 5 to 10 minutes