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A urea blood test measures the amount of urea in the blood. Urea is a waste product made when the body breaks down protein. It is carried in the blood to the kidneys, where it is filtered and removed in urine. In many UK-style blood test reports, the result is called urea. In many US … Read more
Amylase and lipase are digestive enzymes that may be measured in blood when healthcare professionals are assessing the pancreas or related digestive problems. They are often discussed together because both can rise in pancreatic disease, including pancreatitis. However, they are not the same enzyme, and they do not always rise for the same reasons. Amylase … Read more
LDH stands for lactate dehydrogenase. An LDH test measures the amount of lactate dehydrogenase in a blood sample, although LDH can also be measured in some body fluids in specific clinical situations. LDH is an enzyme found in many tissues of the body, with large amounts found in muscles, liver, kidneys, and red blood cells. … Read more
Uric acid blood test explained: what serum urate means, why levels rise, and how the result fits with gout and kidney testing.
Magnesium blood test explained: what serum magnesium means, why it’s ordered, and what low or high magnesium may suggest.
Albumin blood test explained: what albumin does, why low or high albumin happens, and how the result is interpreted with other tests.
Bilirubin blood test explained: what bilirubin measures, why it rises, and how direct and indirect bilirubin are interpreted.
Ferritin blood test explained: what ferritin measures, why it’s ordered, and how low or high ferritin is interpreted in context.
A D-dimer test is a blood test that looks for D-dimer, a small protein fragment made when a blood clot breaks down. It is often used when healthcare professionals are assessing whether a person may need further testing for a blood clotting disorder. D-dimer is closely linked to clot formation and clot breakdown. MedlinePlus explains … Read more
A troponin test is a blood test that measures troponin, a protein found in heart muscle cells. When heart muscle is damaged, troponin can leak into the bloodstream. This is why troponin is one of the most important blood tests used when a heart attack is suspected. MedlinePlus explains that troponin is normally present in … Read more