Health Information

Sickle cell tests are used to help diagnose sickle cell anemia (also called sickle cell disease) and to identify those who may have sickle cell trait. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder that leads to the production of an abnormal hemoglobin called hemoglobin S (Hb S or Hgb S). Sickle cell tests determine the presence and relative amount of hemoglobin S in a blood sample.

A hemoglobinopathy is an inherited blood disorder in which an individual has an abnormal form of hemoglobin (variant) or decreased production of hemoglobin (thalassemia). A hemoglobinopathy evaluation is a group of tests that identifies abnormal forms of or suggests problems with production of hemoglobin in order to screen for and/or diagnose a hemoglobin disorder.

This test measures the amount of haptoglobin in the blood. Haptoglobin is a protein produced by the liver. Its purpose is to find and attach itself to free hemoglobin in the blood. This forms a complex that is rapidly cleared out of circulation by the liver for destruction and iron recycling.

Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein found in all red blood cells (RBCs) that gives the cells their characteristic red color. Hemoglobin enables RBCs to bind to oxygen in the lungs and carry it to tissues and organs throughout the body. It also helps transport a small portion of carbon dioxide, a product of cell metabolism, from tissues and organs to the lungs, where it is exhaled.

A Gram stain is a laboratory procedure used to detect the presence of bacteria and sometimes fungi in a sample taken from the site of a suspected infection. It gives relatively quick results as to whether bacteria or fungi are present and, if so, the general type(s).

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of about 100 related viruses. Some types can cause skin warts while other types can cause genital warts (also called condylomata). Common in young women and men, most HPV infections that are spread through oral, anal or genital sex are short-lived and relatively benign. There are, however, several types of HPV (such as HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31, and HPV-45) that are considered high-risk.

Genetic tests for targeted cancer therapy detect mutations (changes) in the DNA of cancer cells. Knowing whether the cancer has a particular mutation can help guide the type of treatment that a person receives. The presence or absence of certain mutations can predict who may benefit from certain drugs and who is not likely to respond.

The test is looking for presence of the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 700,000 people in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year, but only half of these infections get reported to the CDC.

Gastrin is a hormone produced by "G-cells" in the stomach. It regulates the production of acid in the stomach during the digestive process. This test measures the amount of gastrin in the blood to help evaluate an individual with recurrent peptic ulcers and/or other serious abdominal symptoms.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme that is found in many organs, such as the kidney, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas. Among these, the liver is the main source of GGT in the blood. This test measures the level of GGT in a blood sample

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme involved in energy production. It is found in all cells including red blood cells (RBCs) and helps protect them from certain by-products of cellular metabolism. A deficiency in G6PD causes RBCs to become more vulnerable to breaking apart (hemolysis) when exposed to certain substances. This test measures the amount of G6PD enzyme in RBCs to help diagnose a G6PD deficiency.

Fructosamine is a compound that is formed when glucose combines with protein. This test measures the total amount of fructosamine (glycated protein) in the blood.