Umbrella Health Care Systems medical labs are state of the art lab services , we use several reference labs to bring you best price and precise lab work, you can feel free to order any Labtest you wish without any physician’s referral, all results are highly confidential and also no doctor visits required for any labtest.
LH test Any other names for this test? Lutropin, luteinizing Hormone levels test, interstitial cell stimulating hormone What is an LH test? A luteinizing hormone (LH) test helps to measure the amount of luteinizing hormone in your blood. Luteinizing hormone encourages functions and processes of your sexual health, development, and reproduction. LH develops by your pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of your head. The pituitary gland helps to release LH when the ovulation of the menstrual cycle comes in women. Ovulation is the phase in the menstrual cycle where an ovary releases an egg. It occurs between 2-3 weeks of the menstrual cycle. LH informs the testes (a male reproductive organ) to produce testosterone in men. An LH test can determine fertility issues or irregular periods in both men and women. High or low LH levels can lead to problems, such as infertility (lack of ability to become pregnant), difficulty in the menstrual cycle, lack of sex ability in men, and too early or delayed puberty. In children, LH levels are low in their early childhood but start to rise before the beginning of puberty. What is the purpose of this test? A luteinizing hormone test can determine any problems in and sexual development of a person. This test monitors and diagnoses the disorder of the pituitary gland. Your pituitary gland contains two hormones essential to maintain and regulate the reproductive system. These hormones are luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The functions of these organs signal your sex organs (ovaries or testes) to work for the health of the reproductive system. An FSH test often performs with an LH test. When do I need this test? If you see symptoms of pituitary gland disorder, you may need to take this test. Symptoms of pituitary disorder include: Low appetite Losing weight Weakness Fatigue Your healthcare provider recommends the luteinizing hormone test if you are a woman because: Lack of ability to get pregnant after 12 months of effort. Irregular or disturbed menstrual cycle - A bleeding process in women during their period. Your periods have ended. This test may suggest identifying whether you have passed the phase of menopause or are in perimenopause. Menopause is a specific time in which the menstrual cycle for a woman completes after she cannot become pregnant. Perimenopause is the intermediate or transition period earlier than menopause. If you are a man, you may need to order the LH test if you have: Difficulty getting your partner pregnant after 12 months of effort. A low or decreased ability for sex drive. Low testosterone levels. Your provider may recommend this test to your child if puberty does not appear at the right age. You can visit here to book an order for the LH test. What is the procedure for an LH test? A luteinizing hormone test is a blood test that requires a blood sample. You need to follow these steps: Visit the laboratory after scheduling an online order for this test. Sit in front of your provider and remove your part of the cloth from one arm. Your provider will inject a small needle into the vein in your arm. A small amount of blood will collect in a test tube. Your blood sample will keep at the laboratory for examination. Regular activities can resume after the test. This test usually finishes in five minutes. How do I need to prepare for this test? You do not need specific preparation for the LH test. You can inform me about medicines, vitamins, and supplements you use. Your provider may ask women to schedule an online test at a specific time if they have not passed through menopause. What are the risks of this test? A luteinizing hormone test is a blood test that does not have high risks. You can experience slight pain when the needle injects into his veins. The other low risks may include: ● Low bleeding ● Bruising ● Infection ● lightheaded feeling What do the LH test results mean? You may receive the luteinizing hormone test results within a few days. The recommended test results may vary on gender and age. For women, the recommended results before menopause and after menopause are 5 to 25 international units per liter (IU/L) and 14.2 to 52.3 (IU/L), respectively. The values for LSH will be higher during the middle of the menstrual cycle. The recommended results for men are 1.8 to 8.6 IU/L. LSH levels are usually low in children. The test results may differ slightly among laboratories. It is because laboratories may use different methods to get the results. You should always consult a verified doctor to review your results for the LSH test. Abnormal high levels of LSH in women during the menstrual cycle may mean these conditions: You are in menopause. You have a problem with the pituitary gland or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a disease in which ovaries develop high amounts of androgen, a male sex hormone. Turner syndrome - A genetic disorder often leads to infertility and sexual development. Low LH levels in women may indicate: Problems with the pituitary gland. Bad eating disorder Malnutrition (deficiency or excess of nutrients) High LHS levels in men occur due to Low testosterone levels. Your testicles may damage due to radiation, infection, or chemotherapy. Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic disease that often causes infertility and sexual development in males. In men, low LH levels may indicate that you have a pituitary gland disorder or hypothalamus (part of the brain) disease (. It can result in less production of testosterone. High LH levels with FSH levels in children may indicate that puberty comes earlier. If puberty happens before age 9 in a girl or before age 10 in a boy, this shows a disorder of the central nervous system and brain injury. Low LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in children may show delayed puberty. Reasons for delayed puberty are: Infection Ovaries or testicles disorder Deficiency of hormone Bad eating habits Turner syndrome in girls Klinefelter’s syndrome in boys What additional tests may I need along with the luteinizing hormone test? Your healthcare provider may suggest a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test with an LH test.
Preferred Specimen(s) 0.3 mL serum Transport Container Serum Separator Tube (SST®) Transport Temperature Room temperature Specimen Stability Room temperature: 14 days Refrigerated: 14 days Frozen: 30 days Methodology Immunoassay-Analyte Specific Reagents Assay Category This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes. Alternative Name(s) ImmunoCAP®
Any other name for a lipase lab test? This test is also known as Serum lipase test, LPS What is lipase? Lipase is a protein produced in the pancreas, an organ located beneath the lower section of the stomach. It helps in the digestion of food and the transport of fat into the intestine. Moreover, your stomach and salivary (spit) glands both make lipase. What is the purpose of lipase in our bodies? Lipase is in charge of breaking down food and absorbing fat into your body's intestines. What is a lipase test? This test determines the level of lipase in your blood. It helps to determine the pancreas' condition. Your doctor may want to know how much of this lipase protein is in your blood to determine how well your pancreas is functioning. If your pancreas cells are damaged, they will produce more lipase. A lipase test can be used to identify problems with high and low levels of lipase as well as other conditions. What is the purpose of a lipase test? The goal of this test is to determine the disease of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ situated behind the stomach that makes vital hormones and substances known as enzymes. An illness known as acute pancreatitis causes the pancreas to swell and become inflamed. A lipase test is also used to identify chronic pancreatitis. It is a pancreas condition that damages the organ permanently. This lab test is also used to diagnose the following health conditions: Intestine injury or obstruction The pancreas has cysts. Peritonitis (a harmful sickness that arises in the abdomen) Chronic fibrosis (a genetic disease that affects the lungs, digestive system, and other organs.) Crohn's disease (which causes malnutrition, severe diarrhea, exhaustion, and abdominal pain) Celiac disease (An immune disorder) Why do doctors recommend a lipase test? This test is required when you show symptoms that state a risk of developing pancreatic damage. Especially if you show signs of acute pancreas. These test results will assist the doctor in properly understanding your problem, and your doctor will continue with your treatment. Symptoms of the acute pancreas include: Abdominal pain. swollen or painful abdominal area Fever Nausea and vomiting A quick heartbeat Gray stools. Feeling stuffed or fat. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Why do I need this test? This test may be required if you have symptoms of pancreas disease or in case you have an acute pancreas. This test will help your doctor with your treatment. Do I need to fast for this test? This test is most effective while fasting. Your healthcare provider will inform you not to eat or drink anything for 8 to 12 hours before the test. The healthcare provider may also ask you not to take any medication that might affect the results. Any information you believe your healthcare provider should know tell them How is a lipase test performed? A lipase test requires a blood sample. Healthcare professionals will collect the blood from the vein of your hand using a tiny needle. After that, a small amount of blood is collected and placed in a test tube. What will happen after this test? Once the test is complete, your healthcare staff will wrap a bandage around the area where the needle went in. How long is the process of a lipase lab test? A test is completed in less than five minutes. There can be a little difficulty finding the vein, but besides this, a lipase lab test is done in a few minutes. Are there any risks associated with this test? No, a lipase lab test is associated with something serious. You might feel a little discomfort and soreness due to the in and out motion of the needle. Bruising may also occur, which will go away after 2 to 3 days. What do the results mean? Lab facilities may have different standard ranges. The recommended limit for lipase in certain facilities is 10-140 U/L for people under 60. For those people over 60, the usual limit is 24-151 U/L. A person may have acute pancreatitis if their lipase levels are very high, frequently 3–10 times the reference value. If your results are higher than Normal, it could mean you have a higher level of lipase, which is a sign of acute pancreatitis. And if your results are below the normal range, you have permanent pancreas damage. You can discuss your queries about lipase lab test results, by making an online talk with your doctor. What causes a high level of lipase? High lipase is a pancreas condition that indicates too many acute pancreas, kidney, and bowel problems. The following factors contribute to this illness: Pancreatic duct obstruction, also known as pancreatitis, is the chronic or acute swelling of the pancreas. digestive blockage stomach ulcer disease gallbladder swelling kidney illness celiac illness salivary gland swelling cancerous pancreas What causes a low level of lipase? Low levels of lipase state permanent damage to the pancreas. Certain chronic (long-lasting) disorders, like cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis, may contribute to low lipase levels. It's not always a sign that you need medical attention if your lipase levels are higher than usual. Your lipase levels can be affected by a variety of medications, including Codeine Diuretics (often known as "water pills") Specific cholesterol medications Birth control pills Anything else I should know about a lipase lab test? A lipase test is needed to determine the pancreas' condition. Conditions can be acute, pancreatic, or chronic. Acute pancreatitis is a short-term condition that is curable with treatment. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term illness that worsens with time. It can be managed using medicines and lifestyle changes, such as preventing alcohol and smoking and balancing weight. In specific cases, your healthcare provider might also recommend surgery if the other treatments are not helping enough.
Clinical Significance Lipid Panel with Reflex to Direct LDL - The Lipid Panel with Reflex to Direct LDL panel includes evaluation of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), LDL-cholesterol (calculated), cholesterol/HDL ratio (calculated), and non-HDL cholesterol; direct LDL-C measurement will be performed at additional cost if the TG level is >400 mg/dL. This panel is useful in the detection, classification, and monitoring of hyperlipidemia, especially those expected to have highly elevated TG levels. LDL-C is widely accepted as a key factor for assessing the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) [1]. The American Heart Association recommends lipid testing for adults over the age of 20 every 4 to 6 years [2]. Direct LDL-C measurement is more accurate than calculated LDL-C for patients with TG levels >400 mg/dL, and patients with hyperlipoproteinemia type III (dysbetalipoproteinemia). Thus, as indicated above, this panel is especially useful for individuals likely to have highly elevated TG and provides a basis for more realistic assessment of CAD risk in this group. It may also help track treatment progress by allowing healthcare practitioners to evaluate overall lipid levels, as well as direct LDL-C [3]. In addition to genetic causes that lead to highly elevated TG levels, certain medical conditions can also increase TG, including diabetes, thyroid disease, liver and kidney diseases, and obesity [4]. Calculated LDL values have a variance of 11% to 26%, whereas direct LDL-C values have a variance of less than 4% [5]. Clinical Significance Lipid Panel with Reflex to Direct LDL - The Lipid Panel with Reflex to Direct LDL panel includes evaluation of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), LDL-cholesterol (calculated), cholesterol/HDL ratio (calculated), and non-HDL cholesterol; direct LDL-C measurement will be performed at additional cost if the TG level is >400 mg/dL. This panel is useful in the detection, classification, and monitoring of hyperlipidemia, especially those expected to have highly elevated TG levels. LDL-C is widely accepted as a key factor for assessing the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) [1]. The American Heart Association recommends lipid testing for adults over the age of 20 every 4 to 6 years [2]. Direct LDL-C measurement is more accurate than calculated LDL-C for patients with TG levels >400 mg/dL, and patients with hyperlipoproteinemia type III (dysbetalipoproteinemia). Thus, as indicated above, this panel is especially useful for individuals likely to have highly elevated TG and provides a basis for more realistic assessment of CAD risk in this group. It may also help track treatment progress by allowing healthcare practitioners to evaluate overall lipid levels, as well as direct LDL-C [3]. In addition to genetic causes that lead to highly elevated TG levels, certain medical conditions can also increase TG, including diabetes, thyroid disease, liver and kidney diseases, and obesity [4]. Calculated LDL values have a variance of 11% to 26%, whereas direct LDL-C values have a variance of less than 4% [5]. Includes Cholesterol, Total Triglycerides HDL Cholesterol LDL-Cholesterol (calculated) Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (calculated) Non-HDL Cholesterol (calculated) If Triglyceride result is >400 mg/dL, then Direct LDL will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 83721). Patient Preparation Fasting is not required prior to collection of a lipid panel. The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: "N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been. . . determined to interfere with assays for. . . cholesterol, uric acid" where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hrs and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hrs. Methodology Spectrophotometry (SP) Reference Range(s) Total Cholesterol Male (mg/dL) Female (mg/dL) <20 Years <170 <170 ≥20 Years <200 <200 HDL Cholesterol <20 Years >45 >45 ≥20 Years ≥40 ≥50 Triglycerides ≤9 Years <75 <75 10-19 Years <90 <90 ≥20 Years <150 <150 LDL-Cholesterol (Calc) <20 Years <110 <110 ≥20 Years <100 <100 Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (Calc) <5.0 <5.0 Non-HDL Cholesterol <20 Years <120 <120 ≥20 Years <130 <130 Alternative Name(s) Non-fasting Lipid Panel with Reflex
Clinical Use Assess risk for coronary heart disease (CHD; primary or secondary) Monitor nondrug or drug therapy Clinical Background Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) testing is an important part of a CHD prevention strategy. It is used to assess the risk of CHD and also to monitor patients who have an increased risk of CHD due to prior CHD, other atherosclerotic disease(s), diabetes mellitus, or other risk factors. The risk of CHD can be reduced through lifestyle changes and medical therapy.1-3 Alternative pharmacotherapy may be recommended if statins are not tolerated or insufficiently lower LDL-C.2,3 LDL-C is recommended as a primary target of lipid-lowering therapy for CHD prevention.2,3 However, approaches to LDL-C monitoring during therapy vary. A 2018 multi-organization guideline recommends targeting percent reductions in LDL-C from baseline.2 Alternatively, guidelines from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) recommend targeting absolute LDL-C values.3 In both guidelines, LDL-C targets depend on a patient’s atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, and absolute LDL-C values are used as thresholds for therapy intensification.2,3 Regardless of the guidelines followed, accurate measurement of LDL-C is important for patient management. Because of the complexity of direct measurement, LDL-C levels have traditionally been calculated using the Friedewald equation4: LDL-C (mg/dL) = total cholesterol – HDL-C – TG/5 This equation is based on 3 separate measurements: total cholesterol (the sum of all forms of cholesterol, including very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [VLDL-C]), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). “TG/5” is an estimate of VLDL-C. The fixed factor of 5 represents a presumed “constant” ratio of TG to VLDL-C cholesterol, which was originally derived from a sample of 448 people in the early 1970s.4 This approach has some limitations. Specifically, for patients with high TG and/or low LDL-C levels, the equation may yield artificially high VLDL-C and artificially low or non-reportable LDL-C values. Therefore, Quest Diagnostics calculates LDL-C using an alternative method that allows greater personalization to a patient’s specific TG level: the Martin-Hopkins calculation.5 The Martin-Hopkins calculation uses an adjustable factor to estimate VLDL-C instead of a fixed factor of 5, but is otherwise similar to the Friedewald equation. This adjustable factor was derived from an analysis of TG to VLDL-C ratios in nearly 1.4 million people.5 The factor is chosen from a matrix table of 180 possible factors, which range from 3.1 to 11.9, corresponding to an individual’s TG and non-HDL-C (total cholesterol – HDL-C) levels. It is lowest (3.1) for patients with very low levels of TG (7 to 49 mg/dL) and high levels of non-HDL-C (≥220 mg/dL), and highest (11.9) for those with very high levels of TG (≥400 mg/dL) and low levels of non-HDL-C (<100 mg/dL). Compared with the Friedewald equation, the Martin-Hopkins calculation provides better correlation with direct LDL-C measurements.5-9 Concordance with guidelines-based risk classification, especially at high TG and low LDL-C, is also superior using the Martin-Hopkins calculation.5-9 Importantly, total atherogenic burden, assessed by apolipoprotein B and non-HDL-C levels, tracks more closely with LDL-C using the Martin-Hopkins calculation.10 The ability of the Martin-Hopkins calculation to adjust for high TG levels may also make LDL-C estimation more reliable in nonfasting patients.11 This can be convenient for risk assessment, especially for patients who have difficulty fasting (eg, young children and people with diabetes).11 The improved accuracy at lower LDL-C (≤70 mg/dL) allows more accurate categorization of patients in very high-risk categories undergoing aggressive treatment with low LDL-C goals. Assays with calculated LDL-C include Lipid Panel (test codes 7600 and 91716), ASCVD Risk Panel with Score (test codes 92053 and 92052), Lipid Panel with Reflex to Direct LDL (test codes 14852 and 92061), and Lipid Panel with Ratios (test code 19543). Panel components can be ordered separately (total cholesterol [test codes 334 and 91717], HDL-C [test codes 608 and 91719], and TG [test codes 896 and 91718]). The direct LDL-C assay (test codes 8293 and 91723) provides an alternative to calculated LDL-C. Direct measurement provides a reliable result even when TG levels are up to 1,290 mg/dL, or LDL-C values are low (10 to 40 mg/mL) and calculation is less accurate.8 Further, the direct LDL-C assay has been correlated with the CDC-accepted reference method (“the gold standard”). Thus, results can be related to the epidemiologic data that have been generated for the assessment of CHD risk and the monitoring of therapy to reduce that risk. Individuals Suitable for Testing Individuals undergoing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment Individuals at intermediate CVD risk who are being considered for pharmacotherapy Individuals undergoing LDL-C-lowering pharmacotherapy Method Calculated LDL-C Enzymatic assays for total cholesterol, HDL-C, and TG Adjustable factors read from a 180-cell table based on TG and non-HDL-C are used for calculating VLDL-C, and subsequently LDL-C5 Direct LDL-C Two-phase enzymatic: enzymatic assay for LDL-C after selectively solubilizing and enzymatically digesting non-LDL-lipoproteins Analytical measurement range: 10 to 400 mg/dL Interpretive Information Target LDL-C levels vary by guideline. The AACE/ACE guideline recommends the following LDL-C goals for patients: <55 mg/dL for those with extreme risk (eg, premature ASCVD); <70 mg/dL for those with very high risk (eg, ASCVD or diabetes); <100 mg/dL for those with high or moderate risk; and <130 mg/dL for those with low risk.3 The multi-organization guideline recommends reductions from baseline of ≥30% to ≥50%, depending on patient characteristics, risk assessment, and therapy.2 Once lipid goals have been achieved, guidelines recommend follow-up testing every 3 to 12 months.2,3 Patients with very high LDL-C (≥190 mg/mL) are at risk for familial hypercholesterolemia.3" Includes Cholesterol, Total Triglycerides HDL Cholesterol LDL-Cholesterol (calculated) Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (calculated) Non-HDL Cholesterol (calculated) Patient Preparation Fasting is not required prior to collection of a lipid panel. The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: "N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been. . . determined to interfere with assays for. . . cholesterol, uric acid" where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hrs and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hrs. Methodology Spectrophotometry (SP) Reference Range(s) Total Cholesterol Male (mg/dL) Female (mg/dL) <20 Years <170 <170 ≥20 Years <200 <200 HDL Cholesterol <20 Years >45 >45 ≥20 Years ≥40 ≥50 Triglycerides ≤9 Years <75 <75 10-19 Years <90 <90 ≥20 Years <150 <150 LDL-Cholesterol (calc) <20 Years <110 <110 ≥20 Years <100 <100 Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (calc) <5.0 <5.0 Non-HDL Cholesterol (calc) <20 Years <120 <120 ≥20 Years <130 <130 Alternative Name(s) Standard Lipid Panel,Martin Hopkins calculation,Non-fasting Lipid Panel
Preferred Specimen(s) 0.3 mL serum Minimum Volume 0.15 mL/allergen Transport Container Serum Separator Tube (SST®) Transport Temperature Room temperature Specimen Stability Room temperature: 14 days Refrigerated: 14 days Frozen: 30 days Methodology Immunoassay - Analyte Specific Reagents Assay Category This test was developed and its performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not necessary. Performance characteristics refer to the analytical performance of the test.
Clinical Significance Lyme Disease Antibodies (IgG, IgM), Immunoblot - Lyme disease is transmitted by a tick vector carrying Borrelia burgdorferi. Immunoblot testing qualitatively examines, with high specificity, antibodies in a patient's specimen. Immunoblot testing is appropriate for confirming a detected EIA or IFA test result. Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL serum Minimum Volume 0.5 mL Transport Container Transport tube Transport Temperature Room temperature Specimen Stability Room temperature: 7 days Refrigerated: 14 days Frozen: 30 days Reject Criteria Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic Methodology Immunoblot (IB) Reference Range(s) Lyme Disease Ab (IgG), Blot Negative Lyme Disease Ab (IgM), Blot Negative Alternative Name(s) Borrelia burgdorferi
LYME DISEASE TEST (IGG, IGM) Does this test have other names? Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies test, IgM/IgG test, Borrelia Antibody What is the Lyme disease test? Lyme disease test is a blood test that measures the number of antibodies due to recent exposure to borrelia bacteria. A bacteria that spreads through the bite of specific ticks is called Borrelia, which leads to Lyme disease. This bacteria may affect your skin at the bite spot or elsewhere on the skin. It can also affect other organs of the body. The immune system develops antibodies, which are proteins. They help to fight against bacteria and viruses. When do I need the Lyme disease test? Your provider recommends the testing if you have experience symptoms of Lyme disease and you may have exposure to any ticks that may possess the Borrelia bacteria. The test timing is a significant element because antibodies take a long time to develop. The different extents of bacterial infection can show symptoms of Lyme disease. The following are the three conditions that define infection in your body, such as Early stage – In the initial stage, symptoms of infection occur, generally at the spot of a tick bite. This early stage is known as erythema migrans. After the tick bite, you will notice a significant rash on your skin that occurs within a few weeks. Early spreading– In this stage, the bacteria affects the other organs and parts of the body. It occurs when bacteria flow into your blood. The general symptoms are fever, pain, and headaches. The heart or nervous system may also disturb due to bacteria in a few cases. Delayed disease – This stage develops for a long time as the initial tick bite takes place on your skin. It shows symptoms that may cause joint or nervous system diseases. It is essential to understand these three conditions as the testing does not have equal value in each stage. If your provider observes the bacteria at an early stage and erythema migrans, the blood test is not beneficial because antibodies will take a long time to develop. In general, symptoms of early spreading or delayed disease can be predicted by the Borrelia antibody test if you have experience Borrelia infection in the recent past. The individual blood test does not identify Lyme disease. Your provider will consider its symptoms and risk of potential exposure to a tick. Joint pain and many medical conditions can indicate symptoms of Lyme disease. Your provider will not recommend any testing if you are experiencing symptoms that are non-particular and showing no signs of exposure to Borrelia. In these scenarios, the results can be misleading from the blood test because antibodies may also develop due to a past infection compared to your present condition, which indicates your current symptoms. Your doctor may not recommend a random Lyme test without symptoms due to the occurrence of inaccurate positive results. A cerebrospinal fluid test often indicates neurological symptoms in people having Lyme disease and positive blood tests. What happens during the test? Your provider asks for a blood sample from you. They inject a needle into a vein in your arm. A small number of blood deposits into a test tube. Your provider applies a bandage at the spot where the needle injects. After that, you can return home for daily activities. This test usually takes at least 5 minutes. What are the factors that may affect the results? The test helps to find exposure to Borrelia, but they are not accurate like any medical test. Some factors or considerations that may affect the accuracy of the results are: Test Timing – Time is a significant factor to consider. Different antibodies take a long time for their growth in the blood. Hybrid-reactivity –There is a probability antibodies to other bacteria may detect in the test instead of antibodies to Borrelia. It led to a false positive result when the test results may show exposure to Borrelia even when nothing happened. If you have a past experience with Lyme disease or received a vaccine for Lyme disease, you may get misleading positive results. Standard interpretation – The antibody test can be interpreted by following the guidelines of the CDC (Centre for disease control and prevention). Researchers show that laboratories develop more uniform and reliable observations by following these guidelines compared to laboratories that use non-standard criteria. Your provider may consider these factors when they may need to interpret the test results. It is noticeable that testing can be reliable in determining exposure to bacteria, but this is different from identifying Lyme disease. What are the types of Lyme disease? The test measures two types of antibodies. One is immunoglobulin M (IgM) and the second one is immunoglobulin G (IgG). IgM antibodies – These antibodies move to peak during a few weeks when the infection with Borrelia bacteria occurs. Its effects decrease between 4 to 6 months after infection. IgG antibodies – These antibodies develop a little slower and take 4-6 weeks after exposure in the initial stage. It goes to peak in 4-6 months after exposure. It tends to link with an active infection. Both antibodies may carry in the blood for a long time. What is the risk of the test? A blood test has a small risk. You may experience a little pain at the spot where the needle injects. But this will go away in a short time. What may affect the test results? The vaccine for Lyme disease may affect your test results. People may receive false negative tests when they tested earlier after the infection. Some antibiotics may also change your test results. What does the test result mean? The test results depend on the person’s age, gender, medical history, and other factors. You can book an online appointment with a doctor at UmbrellaMD to understand the test results. If no antibodies are present, you have negative test results. But it is difficult to diagnose Lyme disease. Because the antibodies do not appear for many weeks in your blood. False-negative results may occur just after the infection. Positive results indicate the presence of Borrelia antibodies and also show that you may or may not experience Lyme disease. False-positive results may also appear sometimes that show the presence of infections even if you do not possess them. Antibodies may show up months or years later if you have experience Lyme disease and received treatment. Visit Umbrella Health Care Systems to place the order for the lab test, even if you don’t have a prescription. You can register here to get more different laboratories test and their procedures.
Magnesium TEST What are the other names for this test? Magnesium blood test, Mg test, Magnesium-Serum, Mag What is a magnesium test? A magnesium blood test helps to determine magnesium levels in your blood. Magnesium is an essential type of electrolyte. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals and work for many functions in your body. Magnesium helps muscles, the heart, and the nerves to work correctly. It also regulates blood pressure and blood sugar. Most of the magnesium is present in your bones and cells. Some magnesium is also in your blood. Low magnesium amounts are present in green vegetables, such as spinach, nuts, and whole grains. Your body helps balance magnesium levels by releasing or storing magnesium in your kidneys. High or low magnesium levels may indicate health problems. What is the purpose of this test? A magnesium blood test helps to see abnormal magnesium levels in your blood. This test is a routine test often included in an electrolyte panel. A magnesium test may use to: Diagnose gastrointestinal disorders. Check and evaluate the severity of kidney problems. Observe for uncontrolled diabetes Monitor the magnesium levels if you are already taking treatment for low or high magnesium amounts. Low magnesium levels may lead to low calcium and potassium levels. The magnesium test helps to identify problems with calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (a component of calcium regulation). Magnesium levels may often use to see the reaction to oral or intravenous (IV) magnesium supplements. Your healthcare provider may ask for a magnesium test with calcium and phosphorus test to see calcium supplementation. Low magnesium levels are also known as hypomagnesemia which often occurs due to malabsorption. The kidneys lose magnesium in high amounts through urine. High magnesium amounts in your blood are known as hypermagnesemia develops when you take an antacid having magnesium, and your kidney loses the ability to release it. Hypermagnesemia happens rarely compared to hypomagnesemia because your kidneys help to eliminate excess magnesium from your blood when required. When do I need to take this test? If you experience low to intermediate magnesium deficiency may have no severe symptoms. You may need a magnesium test if you see persistent symptoms of low magnesium levels in your blood. Symptoms of low magnesium levels are: Muscles cramps Fatigue Nausea Confusion Loss of appetite Numbness or tingling Disturbance in the rhythm of the heartbeat. Seizures Symptoms of high magnesium levels are: Nausea Loss of appetite Muscle Weakness Irregular heartbeat Difficulty in breath Vomiting You may also need to order this test if you are pregnant. The magnesium deficiency may lead to preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure) and may affect pregnant women. Your provider also suggests this test if you have ongoing health problems that lead to magnesium deficiency, such as diabetes, alcohol use, and malnutrition. If you want to see the magnesium levels in your blood, visit here to take this test. What is the procedure for this test? A magnesium test is a blood test that requires a blood sample. The following are the steps for this test after visiting the laboratory. Sit in front of your provider. Be relaxed and stay in a fixed position. It is difficult for your provider to collect a blood sample if you do the muscle movement. Remove the portion of your cloth from the arm. A small needle will inject into a vein in your arm. A small amount of blood will collect in a test tube. Blood samples will store in the laboratory for examination of an allergy. You can go home for regular activities. This test usually takes five minutes. How do I need to prepare for this test? You can inform your provider about medicines, vitamins, and supplements you use. Your provider will guide you on when to stop medication for a few days before the test. You may also need to avoid magnesium supplements before the test. Are there any risks involved in this test? A magnesium test has low risks when you give a blood sample. Vein differs from person to person. Some people or children may have difficulty providing a blood sample compared to others. You may experience low risks when the needle injects into your vein. These risks include Bruising Extreme Bleeding Slight pain Infection Hematoma (Deposition of blood under the skin) What do the test results indicate? The magnesium test results depend on many factors, such as age, gender, and medical history. The test results may also slightly differ among laboratories. It is because each lab may use different methods for examination. The reference range for magnesium in adults is about 1.8 to 2.6 mg/dL (milligram per deciliter). The recommended range for magnesium in children and newborns is 1.7 to 2.1 mg/dL and 1.5 to 2.2 mg/dL, respectively. Low magnesium levels may happen due to the following reasons: Malnutrition Chronic diarrhea Diabetes Digestive problems that include Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis Excess use of alcohol Preeclampsia (if you are a pregnant woman) You can talk with your doctor about your magnesium test result here. High magnesium levels may occur due to the following reasons: Kidney disease Dehydration - losing high water amounts from the body Excess use of antacids or laxatives having magnesium Addison disease (Adrenal glands problems) Tissue trauma Diabetes acidosis (if first seen) End-stage renal disease (ESRD) Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland) After placing an online order for a magnesium test, your provider will ask you to take magnesium supplements if you experience magnesium deficiency. If you have high magnesium levels, you may suggest IV therapies. It is a process in which medicine delivers directly to your veins to reduce excess magnesium. What factors may affect the test results? If you have abnormal magnesium test results, you do not always experience a health problem that requires treatment. Specific medicines that may increase magnesium levels, such as antacids, lithium, aspirin, and laxatives. A few medications that decrease magnesium levels include antibiotics, insulin, and water pills (diuretics). What additional tests do I need along with this test? Your healthcare provider may ask for other tests to measure other minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus. You may also need a test to see magnesium levels in urine.