Page 4 BOZEMAN HEALTH DEACONESS HOSPITAL BOZEMAN HEALTH DEACONESS HOSPITAL

A Guide to Understanding Your Laboratory Tests (cont.) A Guide to Understanding Your Laboratory Tests

Bozeman Health Labo- Below is a list of screenings available and an explanation of each. Complete Count (CBC) C-Reactive Protein About Bozeman Health ratory Services is pleased C-Reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the . The level of CRP rises when Laboratory Services White Blood Cell (WBC) Count to provide you with the there is throughout the body. An abnormal result means you have The white blood cells are an important part of your immune system’s ability With two laboratories— inflammation in the body. This may be due to a variety of conditions including to fight infections. Bacterial infections may cause the WBCs to increase. Other results from your recent Bozeman Health Deaconess cancer, connective tissue disease, heart attack, infection, inflammatory bowel disease conditions that may increase your WBC count include tissue damage, stress, blood screen test(s) and Hospital and Bozeman Health arthritis, smoking, surgery and fever. A decrease in WBCs is called “leukope- (IBD), lupus, pneumococcal pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever or Outpatient Services at North nia” and may indicate a viral infection, , alcoholism or uncontrolled basic information about tuberculosis. This list is not all inclusive. Please note that positive CRP results also . Some drugs may also lower your WBC count. occur during the last half of or with the use of birth control pills (oral 19th—it has never been easier the laboratory test(s) you contraceptives). to get the laboratory tests your (RBC) Count had performed. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) The red blood cells carry and transport oxygen from the lungs doctor ordered, or screenings Note that all screenings The Prostate Specific Antigen is a specific protein produced exclusively by the to the tissues and return carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled. Low required for school or work. RBC counts can mean anemia. Causes of a very high RBC count can be living have been provided to prostate gland. Findings of elevated PSA are useful in early detection of prostate cancer. It is important to note that about one-third of men found to have elevated All labs are fully equipped at a high altitude, smoking, or chronic lung disease. assist you in becoming PSA did not have cancer. The PSA test should be performed in conjunction with a with the most sophisticated Hemoglobin healthier, and are not digital rectal examination in order to avoid false positives or false negatives. testing equipment available, Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body meant to replace regular Colon Cancer Screening and certified by the College of tissues. Low levels can indicate anemia and high levels can indicate polycythe- This test is a simple screening for colon cancer and other intestinal conditions. A mia. American Pathologists. visits to your physician. stool sample is tested in the lab to look for hidden blood. Results from this test alone Hematocrit do not mean a diagnosis of colon cancer, but may recommend additional tests. Bozeman Health Outpatient Contact your physician This is the percent of the blood that is composed of the red blood cells and A1C Services at North 19th near for all follow-up informa- can be a useful measure of anemia or polycythemia. The A1C test is a common used to diagnose type 1 and Main is open weekdays 7:00 tion and care. Platelet Count as well as check how well you are managing your diabetes. The test shows your am to 5:30 pm and Saturdays average blood level for the past few months. The higher the level, the higher Platelets play a major role in the blood clotting process. When bleeding oc- 7:30 am to 11:30 am. The lab your risk of diabetes complications. curs, the platelets “activate” and stick together forming a sticky plug that at the hospital is open late for helps stop bleeding. A low platelet count can be an indication of a bleeding Vitamin B12 added convenience. (And always disorder or a marrow disease such as leukemia. This is a screening test for Vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 is essential to form and maintain healthy red blood cells and nerve cells. Our bodies use vitamin B12 to make available in an emergency.) DNA, the genetic material in cells. Two labs. Two locations. Vitamin D Tests have never been easier. Two locations: This is a screening test for Vitamin D levels. There are two ways to obtain Vitamin D. The first is from direct sunlight on the skin and the second is through diet. Vitamin Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital D is important to promote calcium absorption in your body, which also helps with 915 Highland Boulevard bone . Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to several types of cancer, Bozeman, MT 59715 osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid Tel: 406 414 1010 arthritis. Bozeman Health Outpatient Hepatitis C Antibody Services at North 19th North 19th near Main Hepatitis C is an infectious disease that primarily affects the liver. Hepatitis C may be Bozeman, MT 59718 asymptomatic for years, but a chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and www.bozemanhealth.org Tel: 406 414 4600 ultimately, cirrhosis. In some cases, cirrhosis will lead to liver failure, liver cancer or

th esophageal and gastric varices, which can be life threatening. Hepatitis C is a leading Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital Bozeman Health Outpatient Services at North 19 www.bozemanhealth.org 915 Highland Boulevard North 19th near Main cause of the need for liver transplants. The Center for Disease Control recommends Bozeman, MT 59715 Bozeman, MT 59718 that persons born between 1945 and 1965 receive one time testing for HCV. Annual Tel: 406 414 1010 Tel: 406 414 4600 HCV-associated mortality in the US increased more than 50% between 1999-2007. 9/9/15 Page 2 Page 3

Health Screen

Health Screen (Chemistry Panel, Lipid Panel, TSH & Complete Blood Count) Lipid Panel A chemistry screen is a blood test that measures the levels of several substances (such as ) in your blood. LDL Cholesterol A chemistry screen provides information about your general state of health and helps your health professional detect certain abnormalities or determine whether treatment for a specific problem is effective. See below for a detailed Cholesterol is a normal part of LDL is the “bad cholesterol” and is explanation of each test it includes. the blood that becomes a health responsible for cholesterol sticking be caused by too much salt intake such as liver. Using also slows Magnesium problem if it is too high. The liver to the walls. High levels of makes 70-80% of the cholesterol Chemistry Panel or by fluid retention. A low level down the removal of from A low magnesium reading may LDL are often associated with heart can be caused by fluid loss from the body. and strenuous indicate severe malnutrition, your body needs. The rest comes disease. dehydration, diarrhea or vomiting. both raise uric acid levels. alcoholism or excessive use of from your diet. Excess cholesterol Risk Ratio A high blood glucose level in diuretics. A low level of magnesium can lead to fatty deposits on the Potassium (K) Calcium someone who has been fasting for may cause muscle . walls of the supplying the The lower the number of your 10-12 hours may be an early sign of This helps regulate Calcium levels are useful with other heart. Blockage of these arteries may risk ratio, the lower your risk of diabetes. It may also indicate other muscles, including the heart, and tests relating to , kidneys, AST lead to a heart attack. Diet, exercise, developing . problems, such as affects the acid-base and fluid levels thyroid, or neurological disorders. AST is an that is high after and medication may help reduce Thyroid Stimulating (TSH) (overactive thyroid). A low blood in the body. High levels often occur damage to the heart, such as a heart cholesterol. Phosphorus glucose level may be a sign of in kidney disease and in overuse of attack. It may be high in TSH stimulates the production of (too much ). potassium supplements. Low levels Phosphorus levels are useful along as well. the thyroid T3 and T4. occur in patients on diuretics, or with calcium in looking at nutritional Triglycerides are a blood fat related If your TSH is high, you could have ALT BUN in patients not receiving enough needs, kidney function and intestinal to your diet and heredity factors. It hypothyroidism. If your TSH is low, BUN is a waste product of the potassium. disorders. It is also used to monitor This enzyme is useful in finding may be a risk factor in arteriosclerosis you could have hyperthyroidism. If kidneys. Impaired kidney function, treatments for GI or kidney diseases. liver disease. Hepatitis is a common (hardening of the artery walls) when you are on thyroid medicatoin the Chloride (Cl) dehydration, congestive heart disease causing liver disease. coupled with an elevated cholesterol. measurement of TSH in the blood is Total Protein failure, GI bleeding, and urinary tract Usually associated with high or low This can lead to a heart attack or important so your medical provider (ALP) infection can all result in high BUN sodium levels. Total protein reflects the body’s stroke. can adjust your dosage. levels. nutritional state. ALP is an enzyme that’s mostly CO HDL Cholesterol 2 made in the liver and bones. Large Albumin Normal levels mean the lungs are amounts of ALP can indicate liver HDL is considered the “good Creatinine is another waste product maintaining a proper acid-base A low albumin may mean disease or bone problems. cholesterol.” High levels of HDL help from the kidneys. Unlike BUN, it balance in the body. malnutrition, over hydration, liver clear the cholesterol from the arteries Iron is not affected by dehydration, disease, renal disease, or severe to the liver. Uric Acid malnutrition or liver function. High injuries such as burns, fractures and Iron is needed for the body to make levels may mean a drop of kidney This test tells if the body might be chronic blood loss. the hemoglobin that is carried by breaking down cells too quickly or red blood cells. Iron deficiency may function. Total not getting rid of uric acid quickly be caused by poor nutrition, poor Sodium (Na) enough. High uric acid levels may A buildup of bilirubin can cause absorption blood loss. Excess iron is One of the major electrolytes, mean gout, kidney stones or other jaundice (yellowing of eyes and toxic to the body. sodium is needed to maintain the kidney damage. Individuals with skin). The buildup can mean that body’s water balance, its acid-base high uric acid levels should drink hemoglobin is breaking down too balance and the proper action of lots of fluids and may need to avoid quickly or that there is impaired liver nerves and cells. A high level can foods that are high in purine content function.