Health Library
Couples Living in Zika Areas Should Delay Pregnancy, WHO Advises FRIDAY, June 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Couples who are trying to have children and live in Zika-affected areas should consider delaying pregnancy to avoid having babies born with birth defects, U.N. health officials now recommend. The new guideline replaces an earlier one that suggested women planning to become pregnant should wait at least eight weeks before trying to conceive if they or their partner live in -- or are returning from Z...
Certain Steroids Raise Risk for Serious Staph Infections THURSDAY, June 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- People who use powerful drugs called systemic glucocorticoids are at higher risk for life-threatening staph blood infections, a new study finds. The findings are "a reminder for clinicians to weigh carefully the elevated risk against the potential beneficial effect of glucocorticoid therapy," said study lead author Dr. Jesper Smit, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. "This is especially pertinent in...
California Enacts Right-to-Die Law THURSDAY, June 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- California on Thursday becomes the fifth and largest state in the country to allow terminally ill patients to end their own lives. With the state's right-to-die law in effect, the percentage of terminally ill U.S. adults who can ask for medical aid in dying will leap from 4 percent to 16 percent, according to advocacy group Compassion & Choices. As many as 34,000 terminally ill Californians per year are expected to ask the...
Cancer's Heavy Financial Burden WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Many cancer patients can't afford to see their doctor or take the medications they've been prescribed, a new study finds. And the problem will likely only get worse as the cost of cancer treatments continues to rise, the study authors said. "You can prescribe the best drug in the world, but if patients can't afford it and they can't get it, then it won't be effective," said study author Dr. Greg Knight. He is chief fellow with t...
Coming Soon: A Wearable Artificial Kidney? TUESDAY, June 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) - Someday, dialysis patients might free themselves of clunky machines, moving about with a "wearable artificial kidney" instead. That's the promise of a new clinical trial that suggests this type of technology is finally within reach. "This would be a game changer," said one kidney specialist, Dr. Maria DeVita. "The fact that clinical trials are beginning gives us all hope that we will have a significant improvement in the...
Cutting Back on Wine? Try a Smaller Glass TUESDAY, June 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Like wine just a little too much sometimes? You may sip a little less over an evening if it's served in smaller goblets, a new British study finds. "It's not obvious why this should be the case, but one reason may be that larger glasses change our perceptions of the amount of wine, leading us to drink faster and order more," said lead researcher Rachel Pechey, of the University of Cambridge. In the study, Pechey's team t...
Childhood Vaccinations Rarely Spur Seizures, Study Finds MONDAY, June 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Certain vaccines can trigger fever-related seizures in young children, but the risk is so low that pediatricians might see one case every five to 10 years, a new study estimates. It has long been known that some vaccines carry a small seizure risk. But the researchers said the new report offers some hard numbers. And it suggests that even when babies and toddlers get three vaccines at once, they only develo...
Cheaper Breast Cancer Drug Does Well in Clinical Trial FRIDAY, June 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For women with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, a similar but less expensive experimental drug works just as well as the standard drug Herceptin (trastuzumab), a new study finds. HER2-positive tumors contain certain genes that are associated with more rapid tumor growth and a worse prognosis, according to the American Cancer Society. The new drug targeting these tumors is what's known as a biosimilar dru...
Clean Pools Can Still Pose Health Hazards THURSDAY, June 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Nothing seems better on a hot day than hopping into a cool swimming pool. But, new research might prompt you to shower first and make sure your kids don't pee in the water. Researchers from the University of South Carolina report that the disinfectants used to keep pools clean can create dangerous disinfection byproducts (DBPs) when combined with sweat, personal care products and urine. Some of these byproducts have cau...
Calling Your Kid 'Fat' Could Be Counterproductive TUESDAY, May 31, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Two studies highlight the complex relationship between parents' perceptions and their children's weights. One study found that no matter a child's actual weight, those whose parents believed they were overweight gained more weight. The other study found that more than 82 percent of parents underestimate the weight of their overweight or obese children. The first study included more than 3,500 Australian children,...
Common Abnormal Heart Rhythm Linked to Cancer Risk WEDNESDAY, May 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Women with a common heart rhythm abnormality may be at an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly of the colon, a new study suggests. "We found a significant relationship between atrial fibrillation and cancer," said lead researcher Dr. David Conen, of the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland. But the study cannot prove that atrial fibrillation causes cancer, only that an association exists betw...
Complete Urinalysis Does this test have other names? Urine test, urine examination, UA What is this test? This test looks at a sample of your urine. Your healthcare provider can use the results from this test to help diagnose, find, or track many conditions. These include: Diabetes Metabolic diseases such as phenylketonuria Kidney problems or infections Liver problems Urinary tract infections Lupus Congestive heart failure Cancer A lab can look at a urine sample in different ways: Visual inspection. If ...
Cytomegalovirus (Urine) Does this test have other names? CMV test What is this test? This is a urine test for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that belongs to the herpes family. It is so widespread that most people in the U.S. have been infected by the time they reach age 40, although many don't realize it. You can pick up the virus by handling or exchanging bodily fluids, such as saliva, blood, urine, breast milk, and semen. The virus usually causes only a mild illness, but it can do serious harm ...
Cytomegalovirus (Blood) Does this test have other names? CMV (serum), cytomegalovirus serologic test, cytomegalovirus antibody, IgG, IgM What is this test? This test looks for antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus in the herpes family, in your blood. CMV is so widespread that most people in the U.S. have been infected by the time they reach age 40, although many don't realize it. You can pick up the virus by handling or exchanging bodily fluids, such as saliva, blood, urine, breast milk, and seme...
Cytomegalovirus (Amniotic Fluid) Does this test have other names? No. What is this test? This test checks a developing baby for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus that belongs to the herpes family of viruses. The herpes family includes herpes simplex; varicella zoster, which causes chickenpox and shingles; and Epstein-Barr mononucleosis. Cytomegalovirus is common in adults and even children. The majority percent of all adults will have CMV by the time they're 40. It usually goes undetected because actual sy...
Cystic Fibrosis Sweat Test Does this test have other names? Sweat chloride test What is this test? A sweat chloride test is the gold standard test for diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a disease that causes mucus to build up and clog organs, especially the lungs. This causes breathing problems. CF can be life-threatening if not treated. CF is an inherited disease that affects about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. This simple test measures the amount of the chemical chloride, which is part of...
Cystic Fibrosis Genetic Carrier Testing Does this test have other names? Cystic fibrosis genetic testing What is this test? This test is done to see if you carry a defective gene that may cause cystic fibrosis (CF) in your child. A defect in a gene is called a mutation. Genes are made from DNA, and mutations can be found by doing special tests that look at your DNA. CF is a serious disease that causes thick mucus to form in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. CF may be treated, but the disease has no...
Cystatin C Does this test have other names? No. What is this test? This test measures the amount of a protein called cystatin C in your blood. Your body makes cystatin C constantly, and the protein is found in different fluids, including blood, spinal fluid, and breast milk. When your kidneys are healthy, they filter cystatin C out of the blood so it can be excreted in your urine. This is a relatively sensitive blood test to look at your kidney health. Why do I need this test? You may need this test if ...
Cryoglobulin Does this test have other names? Cryocrit, cryoprotein What is this test? This test is done to find out if you have abnormal proteins in your blood. Blood proteins include normal immunoglobulins, or antibodies, like IgG and IgM. But they can also include antibodies linked to autoimmune diseases. These abnormal blood proteins are dissolved in your blood at body temperature. But when you are in a cold environment, they thicken and clump together. This restricts the blood flow to your joints, ...
Cryofibrinogen Does this test have other names? Cryofibrinogenemia, CF What is this test? This test looks for an abnormal protein called cryofibrinogen in your blood plasma. People who have this abnormal protein may get a disorder called cryofibrinogenemia. The disorder rarely causes symptoms. But if it is not treated, it can become life-threatening and lead to stroke, heart attack, gangrene, or other health emergencies. Why do I need this test? You may have this test to find out whether you have cryofi...
Creatinine (Urine) Does this test have other names? Urine creatinine What is this test? This test measures the level of a substance called creatinine in your urine. Creatinine is a waste product that your body makes when you use your muscles. It's also made when your body digests meat. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from your blood, and it leaves your body in your urine. This test can find out whether your kidneys are working normally or to see if treatment for kidney disease is working. Why do I nee...
Creatinine (Blood) Does this test have other names? Serum creatinine, blood creatinine What is this test? This is a blood test that measures how well your kidneys work. Clearing and filtering waste products out of your blood are important kidney functions. Creatinine is a normal waste product that builds up in your blood from using your muscles. Your body produces creatinine at a constant rate all the time, and healthy kidneys remove almost all of this creatinine. By comparing the amount of creatinine i...
Creatinine Clearance Does this test have other names? CRCL, CCT What is this test? This test measures how well your kidneys are working and how well blood is flowing to them. Creatinine is a waste product that comes from normal muscle use and from meat protein in your diet. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from the blood. It then passes out of your body through urine. The creatinine clearance test usually compares the creatinine level in a 24-hour urine sample with the creatinine level in your blood. T...
Creatine Kinase MB/Creatine Kinase Ratio Does this test have other names? Ratio of CK-MB to total CK, cardiac index What is this test? This test measures the amount of creatine kinase (CK), an enzyme, in your blood. It also measures a certain isoenzyme of CK called CK-MB. This is found mostly in the heart. Your body makes 3 forms of CK, including CK-MB. CK is found in the heart, muscles, and other organs including the small intestine, brain, and uterus. If you have a heart attack, injured heart muscle c...
Creatine Kinase MB (Blood) Does this test have other names? CK-MB What is this test? This test measures the amount of an isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK) in your blood. It is called CK-MB. Your body makes 3 forms of CK, including CK-MB. CK is found in the heart, muscles, and other organs. These include the small intestine, brain, and uterus. If you have a heart attack, injured heart muscle cells release CK-MB into your blood. Because many tissues contain CK, high levels of CK can be a sign of a variety...
Creatine Kinase with Isoenzymes (Blood) Does this test have other names? Creatine kinase, creatine phosphokinase with isoenzymes, CK, CPK, CK-MM, CK-MB, CK-BB What is this test? This test is used to find damage to muscles in your body, including your heart muscle. Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in your muscles. Enzymes are proteins that help your body's cells do their jobs. The level of the CK enzymes rises when you have damage to muscle cells in your body. The three types of CK are called isoe...
Creatine Kinase (Blood) Does this test have other names? Creatine phosphokinase, CK, CPK What is this test? This test measures the amount of an enzyme called creatine kinase (CK) in your blood. CK is a type of protein. The muscle cells in your body need CK to function. Levels of CK can rise after a heart attack, skeletal muscle injury, strenuous exercise, or drinking too much alcohol, and from taking certain medicines or supplements. If this test shows that your CK levels are high, you may have muscle o...
Cortisol (Urine) Does this test have other names? Urine free cortisol test What is this test? A urine cortisol test may help in the diagnosis of two fairly uncommon medical conditions: Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease. The test also screens for other diseases that affect your pituitary and adrenal glands. It does so by measuring your urine level of a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands. It helps your body respond to stress, regulate blood sug...
Cortisol (Blood) Does this test have other names? Blood cortisol; plasma cortisol; cortisol, plasma What is this test? A serum cortisol test may help in the diagnosis of two fairly uncommon medical conditions: Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease. The test also screens for other diseases that affect your pituitary and adrenal glands. It does so by measuring your blood level of a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands. It helps your body respond to s...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Does this test have other names? Metabolic panel, CMP, chem 14, chemistry panel, chemistry screen, (formerly SMAC, sequential multiple analyzer chemistry) What is this test? This test is a screening panel of 14 tests that look at your metabolism. Your body gets energy from food through a process called metabolism. The tests in this panel help see how well your liver and kidneys are working. These are two major organs involved in metabolism. These tests also measure your ele...
Complete Blood Count with Differential Does this test have other names? CBC w/ diff What is this test? This panel of tests looks for many illnesses in your blood. These include anemia, infections, and leukemia. It can help see how your overall health is. The test gets a lot of information from your blood sample: The number and types of white blood cells (WBCs). Your body has 5 types of white blood cells. All play a role in fighting infections. High numbers of WBCs, or of a specific type of WBC, may mean...
Complete Blood Count Does this test have other names? CBC What is this test? The complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to screen your overall health and to look for many different illnesses, including anemia, infections, and leukemia. The test extracts a large amount of information from the blood sample you've given, including: The number and types of white blood cells (WBCs). There are 5 types of WBCs. All play a role in fighting infection. High numbers of WBCs, or of a specific type of WBC, ...
Complement C4 (Blood) Does this test have other names? Complement component 4, C4 What is this test? This test measures the amount of C4 proteins in your blood. These proteins are part of your complement system, which plays an important role in your immune system. Its job is to help kill disease-causing bacteria and viruses. It also responds to such invaders with inflammation that protects your body from disease. By measuring complement C4 levels, especially in how they compare with other parts of the c...
Complement C3 (Blood) Does this test have other names? Complement component 3, C3 What is this test? This test measures the amount of C3 proteins in your blood. These proteins are part of your complement system, which plays an important role in your immune system. Its job is to help kill disease-causing bacteria and viruses. It also responds to such invaders with inflammation that protects your body from disease. Complement component C3 is the most important and abundant protein in the complement system...
Cocaine Screen Does this test have other names? Cocaine drug test, toxicology screen, tox screen, substance abuse test, drug-of-abuse test What is this test? A cocaine screen is a test done to find out whether you have used cocaine recently. The test can be done on your urine, saliva, blood, hair, or sweat. It looks for the presence of cocaine or one of its metabolites, or chemicals your body makes to process cocaine. The two most important metabolites of cocaine are benzoylecgonine (ben-zoyl-ECK-oh-nee...
Clostridium Difficile Toxin (Stool) Does this test have other names? C. diff, C. difficile What is this test? This is a test to look at your stool for toxins produced by Clostridium difficile bacteria. Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to many healthy bacteria, and sometimes C. difficile is one of them. But in some cases, taking broad-spectrum antibiotics can upset the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut and cause new or antibiotic-resistant strains of C. difficile to grow out of control. The...
Clonazepam Level (Blood) Does this test have other names? Klonopin blood level What is this test? This test measures the amount of clonazepam in your blood. Clonazepam is a medicine used to treat seizures. It's often prescribed to adults and children who suffer from partial seizures and spasms. It may also be used to treat panic attacks, insomnia and generalized anxiety. It is a type of medicine called a benzodiazepine. Why do I need this test? You may have this test if it's possible you have taken an o...
Clinical Genetic Testing Does this test have other names? Genetic screening, DNA test or testing, chromosomal test, gene testing, DNA-based test What is this test? Genetic testing is usually done to screen newborns, children, or adults for inherited diseases or genes that put them at increased risk for a certain disease. Some parents choose to be screened before or during pregnancy to see whether they are carriers of a certain disease, such as hemophilia. Your genes are like a road map: They hold the bl...
Chromosome Analysis Does this test have other names? Genetic testing, karyotyping What is this test? This test looks for changes, or abnormalities, in the chromosomes that make up your body's DNA, or genetic road map. Your chromosomes are found in the inner part of your cells, called your cell nucleus. They contain all the genes that have been passed down to you from your mother and father. Each person normally has 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell (23 pairs = 46 chromosomes). One of these pairs carr...
Cholinesterase (Blood) Does this test have other names? RBC cholinesterase, true cholinesterase, red cell cholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase What is this test? This test looks for signs of chemical poisoning in your blood. Cholinesterase is an enzyme that helps your nervous system work the way it should. Certain toxic chemicals in the environment can interfere with this enzyme and affect your nervous system. These chemicals include organophosphates and carbamates. They are most often found in insectic...
Cholesterol Does this test have other names? Total blood cholesterol, serum cholesterol What is this test? This test measures the amount of cholesterol in your blood. This helps your healthcare provider figure out your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a substance found in all of your body's cells, where it plays an important role. But your body can have too much cholesterol if you eat the wrong types of foods. These include fried foods and foods with saturated or trans fats. Some health conditions...
Chloride (Urine) Does this test have other names? Urine chloride What is this test? This test measures the amount of chloride in your urine. Your body tries to keep its acid-base (pH) level in balance. But certain conditions can cause an imbalance. If your body tissues become too alkaline, you may get metabolic alkalosis. Alkaline is the opposite of acidic. You can get metabolic alkalosis from taking medicines that make you urinate more (diuretics). It can also happen after you have been vomiting. Or it...
Chloride Does this test have other names? Cl, serum chloride test What is this test? This test will find out how much chloride is in your blood and help your healthcare provider figure out if you may have certain kidney problems. Chloride is one of the ingredients in table salt. But it's also an important mineral in your body. It helps move fluids in and out of your blood cells. When you have an imbalance of chloride, you may start to feel ill. You can lose chloride if you've been vomiting or have diarr...
Chlamydia Trachomatis (Urine) Does this test have other names? No. What is this test? This test looks for Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in a sample of cells collected by your healthcare provider. C. trachomatis bacteria cause chlamydia. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the U.S. The CDC recommends that sexually active women 25 and younger be screened once a year for chlamydia. That's because as many as half of women who get chlamydia don't have any symptoms. Men should ...
Chlamydia Trachomatis (Swab) Does this test have other names? C. trachomatis test, CZ test, chlamydia test What is this test? This test looks for Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in a sample of cells collected by your healthcare provider. C. trachomatis bacteria cause chlamydia. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the U.S. The CDC recommends that sexually active women 25 and younger be screened once a year for chlamydia. That's because as many as half of women who get chlamy...
Chlamydia Pneumoniae (Swab) Does this test have other names? Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) (swab), throat culture, pneumonia testing What is this test? If your healthcare provider suspects you have C. pneumoniae, he or she may do a swab test of your nose or throat to test for it. C. pneumoniae is just one of many strains of bacterial pneumonia that a person can become infected with. Why do I need this test? When you have a bacterial pneumonia such as C. pneumoniae, it can be potentially life-...
Ceruloplasmin (Blood) Does this test have other names? CP What is this test? This test is used to measure how much of a copper-containing protein is in your blood. This test is used to diagnose problems related to copper. These include Wilson disease. Wilson disease is a rare inherited disease that can't be cured. Ceruloplasmin is a protein made in your liver. Ceruloplasmin stores and carries the mineral copper around your body. Ceruloplasmin carries 65% to 90% of the copper found in blood. Copper is vi...
CD4-CD8 Ratio Does this test have other names? CD4/CD8 ratio T-cell test What is this test? This test looks at the ratio of two important types of white blood cells in your blood. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell in your immune system. This test looks at two of them, CD4 and CD8. CD4 cells lead the fight against infections. CD8 cells can kill cancer cells and other invaders. If you have HIV, your CD4 cell count may be low. Without HIV treatment, your number of CD4 cells will likely keep fallin...
CCP Does this test have other names? Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, CCP antibodies, anti-CCP, anticitrullinated peptide antibodies, ACPA What is this test? This blood test checks for an amino acid called citrulline. Citrulline is present when you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA attacks your joints. Citrulline is a byproduct of joint damage. In response, your body often makes antibodies against citrulline. These antibodies are called anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, or anti-CCP, antibodies. Why ...
Catecholamines (Urine) Does this test have other names? urine metanephrines, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine What is this test? This test measures the levels of catecholamines in your urine. Catecholamines are hormones made by your adrenal glands. They are released when you have physical or emotional stress. These hormones include epinephrine and dopamine. They do many things in your body. They send nerve impulses in your brain, narrow blood vessels, and raise your heart rate. People who have a ra...
Catecholamines (Blood) Does this test have other names? Dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine tests, What is this test? This test measures the levels of catecholamines in your blood. The catecholamine hormones are epinephrine, norepinephrine; and dopamine. Epinephrine is also called adrenalin. Catecholamines are made in the adrenal glands. They are released when you have physical or emotional stress. These hormones have many functions in the body. These include sending nerve impulses in the brain, n...
Cardiolipin Antibody Does this test have other names? Cardiolipin antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgA), anticardiolipin What is this test? A cardiolipin antibodies test looks for a certain kind of antibody in your blood. The antibodies are IgG (immunoglobulin G), IgA (immunoglobulin A), and IgM (immunoglobulin M). They are antibodies that form in response to cardiolipins. Cardiolipin is a phospholipid, or a kind of fat in the blood. The levels of these antibodies are often high in people with abnormal blood clott...
Cardiac Biomarkers (Blood) Does this test have other names? CK, CK-MB, TROPI, myoglobin, cardiac enzymes What is this test? This test measures the levels of cardiac biomarkers in your blood. These markers include enzymes, hormones, and proteins. Cardiac biomarkers show up in your blood after your heart has been under severe stress because it isn't getting enough oxygen. This might be because you've had a heart attack. But these levels can be high for other reasons. The levels of biomarkers are often use...
Carcinoembryonic Antigen Does this test have other names? CEA What is this test? This test measures a protein called carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in your blood. This protein is found on some types of cancer cells. CEA is called a tumor marker because it gives information about cancer in your body. This test may help your health care provider find out if your cancer treatment is working. It may also help your provider know if the cancer is coming back after treatment. The test can be used with cancers ...
Carbon Monoxide (Blood) Does this test have other names? CO blood test, CO blood gas, arterial blood gas What is this test? This test measures the level of carbon monoxide (CO) in your blood. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas made by combustion. Breathing in CO can be fatal because it doesn't allow oxygen to get to your heart and other organs. This test looks for carboxyhemoglobin. This substance is made in your blood when hemoglobin combines with carbon monoxide instead of oxy...
Carbon Dioxide (Blood) Does this test have other names? Carbon dioxide content, CO2 content, carbon dioxide blood test, bicarbonate blood test, bicarbonate test What is this test? This test measures how much carbon dioxide is in your blood. When you digest food, your body makes carbon dioxide as a waste product in the form of gas. Your blood carries this gas to your lungs. You exhale it and breathe in oxygen thousands of times a day. Carbon dioxide in your blood usually causes no problems. But if you ha...
Campylobacter Culture (Stool) Does this test have other names? Stool sample examination, fecal (poop) smear What is this test? This test looks for harmful bacteria in a culture sample from your stool. One kind of harmful bacteria is Campylobacter. It is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. Campylobacter shows up in the stomach of several animals, including pigs and cattle. But it's most likely to be passed to people through raw and undercooked chicken and other poultry. In some cases, peop...
Cannabinoid Screen and Confirmation (Urine) Does this test have other names? Marijuana screen, drug abuse screening test, DAST, marijuana drug test (urine), drug abuse test What is this test? This is a two-part urine test to look for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana. The test can find out if THC or related chemicals from marijuana called metabolites are in your urine. The test is considered quite accurate. You may have to do the urine test in a health care ...
Calcium (Urine) Does this test have other names? Urinalysis (calcium) What is this test? This test measures the level of calcium in your urine. Your body uses calcium in many ways, from developing teeth to building bones. Your parathyroid gland regulates the calcium in your body. It releases extra calcium from the bones when your body needs it. If your body has too much calcium, it is carried out of your body with your urine. If the calcium in your urine builds up and crystallizes, you may develop kidne...
Calcitonin Does this test have other names? Human calcitonin, hCT, thyrocalcitonin What is this test? This test measures how much calcitonin is in your blood. Calcitonin is a hormone made by the thyroid. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It makes hormones that control metabolism. Why do I need this test? You may need this test if you have symptoms of medullary thyroid cancer. These include a lump or swelling in your neck. If you've been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, your health care...
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