269 results found
Medical tests
… It takes weeks for a hair sample to show changes in the body, because hair grows slowly. Hair samples do not show recent changes in the body, such as drug use within the past few days. But a hair … is less commonly used to test for heavy metals in the body, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic. Hair samples that …
Medical tests
… Overview An autopsy is a thorough medical examination of a body after death. It may be done to learn about a disease or … pathologist . This type of doctor is an expert in examining body tissues and fluids. Family members may ask for an … loved one has died. This is called a requested autopsy. Sometimes an autopsy is required by law. This is called a …
Medical tests
… cell (WBC, leukocyte) count. White blood cells protect the body against infection. If an infection develops, white … rises very quickly. The number of white blood cells is sometimes used to find an infection or to see how the body is dealing with cancer treatment. White blood cell …
Medical tests
… test that measures the level of lactic acid made in the body. Most of it is made by muscle tissue and red blood cells . When the oxygen level in the body is normal, carbohydrate breaks down into water and … acid. Very high levels of lactic acid cause a serious, sometimes life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. …
Medical tests
… pituitary gland controls the level of testosterone in the body. When the testosterone level is low, the pituitary … voice, get bigger muscles, make sperm , and get facial and body hair. The level of testosterone starts to decline … the ovaries account for half of the testosterone in the body. Women have a much smaller amount of testosterone in …
Medical tests
… Uric acid is produced from the natural breakdown of your body's cells and from the foods you eat. Most of the uric … acid is filtered out by the kidneys and passes out of the body in urine. A small amount passes out of the body in … range may still be normal for you. Uric acid crystals sometimes form in joints even though the uric acid levels are …
Medical tests
… factor (RF) blood test measures the amount of the RF antibody present in the blood. Normally, antibodies are produced … bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. But the RF antibody can attach to normal body tissue and cause damage. A … (including rheumatoid arthritis ) and some infections. Sometimes a healthy person can have a high RF level. The amount …
Medical tests
… used in imaging tests that help find problems inside the body. These tracers give off particles that can be detected … it into the lungs. The tracer then travels through the body and may collect in a certain organ or area. The types … benefits of the test. Most of the tracer will leave your body through your urine or stool within a day. So be sure to …
Medical tests
… down into the scrotum before or soon after birth. But sometimes they do not descend as expected. Having an undescended … anytime the genital area is touched, there is a chance your body will react. So you may have an erection. This is … anytime the genital area is touched, there is a chance your body will react. So you may have an erection. This is …
Medical tests
… Test Overview An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test measures the amount and pattern of antibodies in your blood that work against your own body (autoimmune reaction). The body's immune system … are in the blood in higher amounts than normal. Sometimes ANA test results can be positive when a person is …
