Lab Results – What they all mean!

When you screen and do a study, you will have many procedures done to determine if you are healthy.  Here are some of the most common tests done with links for additional information primarily through wikipedia.  I’m working on this!  Please note that any information provided is not to be used as medical advice!

Genotyping

Basically the genetic makeup of a person.  Drug companies may add this test in order to determine why some people react to a drug in a particular way when others don’t.

HIV/AIDS

The test is usually one tube of blood.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).  All clinics will screen for HIV and AIDS.  These tests must be negative for you to participate in a healthy Phase 1 trial.

Electrocardiogram

The test is done via blood sample.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.

The test is done using an ECG machine with 10 to 12 leads attached to your chest and limbs via sticky pads.

Vital Signs

Vitals signs measures your blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), body temperature, pulse rate and respirations.

Hepatitis A, B and C

The test is done with a blood pressure machine and temperature probe. Respirations are counted manually.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory virus of the liver. It is divided into several categories but the main 3 are A, B and C. Most clinics only test for B and C. If you have had a vaccination for either of the infections, you should inform the clinic of when the vaccination was done. Some studies will not allow subjects with certain vaccinations.

The test is done via blood sample.

BMI/IBW

Body Mass Index Calculator/Ideal Body Weight Calculator.  Some studies use the BMI scale while others use the IBW scale.

Urinalysis 

A Urinalysis (UA) tests for illicit drugs, alcohol, cotinine and other factors.

Drugs:

Alcohol
Amphetamine
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Cannabinoids
Cocaine Metabolite
Cotinine
Opiates

Other tests

Amorth Sediment
Bacteria
Casts
Crystals
Epithelial Cells
Glucose Urine
Ketones Urine
Mucus
Myoglobin
Nitrate
Occult Blood
PH Urine
Protein Urine
Red Blood Cells
RBC
Sp Gravity
Urobilinogen
White Blood Cells
WBC

The test is done with approximately 40 ML of urine collected into a sterile specimen container.
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Blood Draw
Having your blood drawn (phlebotomy) is the primary source of information that is collected during a study.mThe following is a list of general tests that are usually done.  There may be additional tests done for study specific requirements.

Alanine Aminotransferase – Liver
ALT

Albumin
ALB

Alkaline Phosphatase
ALK PHOS

Aspartate Aminotransferase
AST

Basophils

Blood Urea Nitrogen
BUN

Calcium

Carbon Dioxide
CO2

Chloride
Cl

Cholesterol

Creatine Kinase
CK

Eosinophils

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase
GGT

Glucose Blood
Blood Sugar

Hematocrit
Hct, Crit

Hemoglobin
Hgb, Hb

Hep B S Ag

Hep C Ab

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol
HDL

HIV 1 Ab

HIV 2 Ab

Lactate Dehydrogenase
LDH

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
LDL

Lymphocytes

Magnesium
Mg

Mean Corpuscular HemoglobinMCH

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration
MCHC

Mean Corpuscular Volume
MCV

Monocytes

Neutrophil

Plateletes

Phosphate
Phosphorus, P, PO₄

Potassium
K

Red blood Cell Count
RBC

Sodium
Na

Total Bilirubin

Total Protein
TP

Triglycerides
TG, TRIG

Uric Acid
Urate

White Blood Cell Count
WBC

The test is typically done using a needle with a barrel and vacutainers. The needle is inserted into a vein and the required amount of tubes are inserted one at a time. Once the tubes are filled, the needle is removed and gauze is placed over the hole. Hold the gauze with firm pressure for 5 to 10 minutes or until the hole is sealed and has stopped bleeding.