Abdominal Ultrasound 01/05/2009
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests , 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2006). Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests , 3rd ed. St. Louis: Mosby. Credits Author Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA Associate Editor Tracy Landauer Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Specialist Medical Reviewer Paul D.
Abdominal X-ray 12/30/2008
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests , 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2006). Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests , 3rd ed. St. Louis: Mosby. Credits Author Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Specialist Medical Reviewer Paul D.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone 06/26/2008
Normal values vary widely from lab to lab. Normal ACTH levels 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Less than 80 pg/mL or less than 18 pmol/L 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Less than 50 pg/mL or less than 11 pmol/L High values High levels of ACTH may be caused by: Emotional or physical stress (such as recent surgery or severe pain). Diseases such as Addison's disease , Cushing's disease , or a tumor in the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland .
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) 01/02/2008
Normal results may vary from lab to lab. Alanine aminotransferase 4-36 units per liter (U/L) or 0.07-0.62 microKat/L High values Very high levels of ALT may be caused by: Recent or severe liver damage, such as viral hepatitis . Lead poisoning . Drug reactions. Exposure to carbon tetrachloride. Decay of a large tumor (necrosis). Shock . Mildly or moderately high ALT levels may be caused by: Mononucleosis . Hepatitis. The ALT level in a person with hepatitis can be 20 times the normal value.
Aldosterone in Blood 07/28/2008
Normal values may vary from lab to lab. Results are usually available in 2 to 5 days. Aldosterone in blood Lying down: 3-10 ng/dL or 0.08-0.30 nmol/L Adult (sitting or standing): 5-30 ng/dL or 0.14-0.80 nmol/L Child: 5-80 ng/dL or 0.14-2.13 nmol/L Baby under 1 year: 1-160 ng/dL or 0.03-2.
Aldosterone in Urine 07/28/2008
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (2006). Medical guidelines for clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Endocrine Practice , 12(2): 195-222. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures , 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders. Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests , 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2006).
Alkaline Phosphatase 07/28/2008
Normal values may vary from lab to lab. Alkaline phosphatase Adults: 30-126 units per liter (U/L) or 0.5-2.0 microkat/liter (mckat/L) Children: 30-300 U/L or 0.5-5.0 mckat/L Women in the third trimester of pregnancy have high ALP levels because the placenta makes ALP. Children normally have much higher ALP than adults because rapid bone growth is normal in children and bones make ALP.
Allergy Tests 08/08/2007
A small amount of a suspected allergen is placed on or below the skin to see if a reaction develops. There are three types of skin tests: Skin prick test . This test is done by placing a drop of a solution containing a possible allergen on the skin, and a series of scratches or needle pricks allows the solution to enter the skin. If the skin develops a red, raised itchy area (called a wheal), it usually means that the person is allergic to that allergen. This is called a positive reaction.
Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in Blood 05/14/2008
In men, nonpregnant women, and children, AFP in the blood can mean certain types of cancer, especially cancer of the testicles , ovaries , stomach, pancreas , or liver are present. High levels of AFP may also be found in Hodgkin's disease , lymphoma , brain tumors, and renal cell cancer. Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems.
Ambulatory Electrocardiogram 12/24/2007
The most common type is the continuous recorder (such as the Holter monitor). It provides a 24- to 72-hour record of the electrical signals from your heart. A standard EKG monitors only 40 to 50 heartbeats during the brief period you are attached to the machine. A continuous recorder monitors about 100,000 heartbeats in 24 hours and is likely to find any heart problems that happen with activity. Another type of continuous recorder can be implanted under the skin of the chest.
