Everyday Health Guide

Determines your ABO blood group and Rh status (checking for the Rhesus factor, a protein on red blood cells). No fasting is required. A standard blood draw is performed.

Determines blood type and performs crossmatching (mixing donor and recipient blood in a lab to ensure they are compatible and will not cause a dangerous reaction). No fasting is required. A standard blood draw is performed.

Measures BUN (a waste product filtered by the kidneys). Fasting may be required if done with other kidney tests. A standard blood draw is performed.

Removes a small sample of bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made) to diagnose blood disorders. Local anesthesia (numbing medicine) is used. Mild pain or pressure is felt during the procedure.

Measures BMD (the strength and thickness of bones) using low-dose X-rays. No fasting is needed. Avoid taking calcium supplements 24 hours before the test.

Measures BNP (a hormone released by the heart ventricles when they are stretched and working too hard). No fasting is required. A standard blood draw is performed.

Measures CRP (a substance produced by the liver during inflammation). Fasting may be required for the high-sensitivity version (hs-CRP). A standard blood draw is performed.

Measures CA 19-9 (a protein that is often elevated in pancreatic cancer and other digestive tract cancers). No fasting is required. A standard blood draw is performed.

Measures CA 125 (a protein that can be elevated in the blood of women with ovarian cancer). No fasting is required. A standard blood draw is performed.

Measures the amount of calcium excreted in the urine over a 24-hour period to check for kidney stone risk or parathyroid issues. You will collect all urine passed in a 24-hour window in a provided container.

Measures the amount of calcium in the blood. Fasting for 8 hours may be required. A standard blood draw is performed.

Measures CEA (a protein that can be elevated in certain types of cancer, like colorectal cancer). Smokers should inform the lab, as smoking can raise levels. A standard blood draw is performed.

Measures troponin (a protein released into the blood only when the heart muscle is damaged). No fasting is required. A standard blood draw is performed, often repeated over a few hours in the emergency room.

Uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the carotid arteries (the main blood vessels in the neck that supply the brain) to check for plaque buildup or blockages. No special preparation is needed. A gel is applied, and a transducer (a device that sends and receives sound waves) is moved over the neck.

Detects celiac antibodies (proteins the immune system mistakenly makes in response to gluten). You must be eating a gluten-containing diet for the test to be accurate. No fasting is required. A standard blood draw is performed.

Removes a small piece of tissue from the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) for microscopic examination to check for precancerous or cancerous cells. Local anesthesia may be used. Mild cramping may occur.

Measures chloride (an electrolyte that helps maintain the body's fluid balance and acidity levels). It is usually part of a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP). Fasting may be required depending on the full panel ordered. A standard blood draw is performed.

Measures cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in the blood to assess heart disease risk. Fasting for 9–12 hours is strictly required. A standard blood draw is performed.