Question | Answer |
Thyroid tests | TSH/Best screening test for thyroid function, also used to monitor thyroid hormone replacement therapy. T3 & T4 |
Parathyroid tests | PTH/Fasting, Calcium level drawn at same time. Helps determine cause(parathyroid or nonparathyroid) of hypercalcemia. Calcium and Phosphorus tests. |
Pituitary Tests | GH, ADH, ACTH, Urine Specific Gravity (Measures concentration of particles in urine & determines how good of a filter your kidney is & how hydrated you are. low specific gravity indicates dilute urine. High specific gravity indicates concentrated urine.) |
Adrenal tests | Cortisol (higher in the morning), 24-hour urine for VMA(vanillylmandelic acid) A major metabolite of epinepherine and norepinephrine. |
Pancreatic Function tests(Diabetes) | Fasting Plasma Glucose (FBS Fasting Blood Sugar), Postprandial Blood Sugar(PPBS), Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, Glycosylated Hemoglobin(HbA1C, Glycohemoglobin) |
Fasting Plasma Glucose levels | Normal 65-99 mg/dL. Critical <50 or >400 mg/dL. Elevated fasting blood glucose level above 126 mg/dL on at least two occasions typically indicates diabetes. |
Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS)levels | less than 105 mg/dL. Drawn 2 hours after eating. |
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test | Blood glucose levels are assessed twice. The first is a fasting sample, the second sample is taken 2 hours after ingestion of 75 g of glucose. |
Glycosylated Hemoglobin(HbA1C, Glycohemoglobin) | ADA recommended treatment goal for hemoglobin A1c is less than 7%. Non-diabetic <5%. Diabetes well-controlled 2.5%-6%. Diabetes not well-controlled >8%. |
What's the Purpose of the Glycosylated Hemoglobin(HbA1C)test | Used for monitoring average diabetic control for preceding 3 months. Blood cells typically live for 2-3 months. Prolonged blood glucose elevation causes a greater % of RBCs to become saturated w/glucose. |