Question: My ESR test was 100. Can you tell me what that means, Said it should not be more than 20
Answer: ESR is the abbreviation for ” erythrocyte sedimentation rate”, a lab test used for knowing if the inflammation exist or not, and if already exist the ESR results tell us how much is the inflammation and if the treatment plan is working or not?
The normal level of ESR test is 0 to 20 after an hour, and normal ESR means no inflammation inside body or the inflammation isn’t cause any effect on the Erythrocytes sedimentation.
If the ESR is greater than 100, it is a very high ESR level and indicates chronic or prolonged inflammation episode.
Question: After visiting my doctor last Monday, he told me nothing to worry about, while he prescribed lab tests. I found many symbols in the doctors request, what is a 6ac blood test and what is meant by 5ac blood test at labcorp, also there’re other signs which I can’t understand cbc/d/plt+rpr+rh+abo+rub ab, please explain?
Answer: laboratories uses such abbreviations to write down the names of lab tests, this way the lab test names will be easier and practical, however they look like horrible codes for ordinary people, but don’t be panic, I will simplify.
CMP Blood Test is a short code for (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel), also may be written “chem 14” which is a list consists of:
1 Glucose, for diabetes investigation
6 From the liver function tests (Bilirubin and 2 proteins, the albumin and total protein and 3 liver Enzymes Alkaline phosphatase; Alanine aminotransferase; Aspartate aminotransferase)
CBC is a short form for “Complete Blood Count” which consists of white blood cells count, platelets, red blood cells and hemoglobin”, a test used to monitor blood cells count and investigation of anemia and blood cancers. Thus, the “d’ in “cbc/d/plt” refers to “differential count”, in other words it’s the count of each type of white blood cells, this differential count of WBC useful to know which type of them are abnormal, for example neutrophils WBC are those fighting bacteria, and lymphocytes are those white blood cells that fighting viruses. Also, “plt” is a short form for “platelets” a type of blood component that specializes in sealing wounds.
“8AC” stands for “8 additional chemistries”, their names depend on the clients agreement with the reference lab, and the same the letters “6AC” is for 6 additional chemistries, and of course “2AC” stands for 2 additional chemistries, “chemistries” are the collective name for lab tests used for measuring blood chemicals such as phosphorus, Sodium, calcium, etc.Understand lab codes lists, Lab signs and flags
“ABO” stands for the blood typing system that consists of “A”, “B”, “O”
“Rh” stands for “Rhesus factor”, an antigen on the surface of red blood cells and used with the ABO system to express if the blood of an individual is “positive” or “negative”. For example (O+) and (AB-)
Question: And what about Total 8.4 and Free 2.3 on established prostate cancer. PSA total was 4 less than a month ago, free wasn’t tested then.
Answer: The Free PSA according to your numbers is about 27% which carries a little risk of cancer, but must confirmed with other DRE with symptoms and MRI. As you wrote, PSA 4.0 is a borderline which means you must retest within few months to make sure it will not increase.
About 15% of men with normal PSA (less than 4.0) can have prostate cancer. Free PSA% can only filter some cases to minimize the waiting list for surgical biopsies. And therefore, PSA test is only one tool to judge on the prostate enlargement and not the only one.
The secret key for correctly using PSA in diagnosis of prostate cancer is the follow-up to know if the PSA level increasing or not.
Question: Can someone help me. What does this mean. I don’t want to start googling because then I will give myself a panic attack. Trying not to self diagnose myself. Can’t wait till end of the month for doctor to call and go over results.
Answer: Hello, Your results show high AST and high ALT which both are of liver function tests While both are elevated, the ALT is raised almost double AST which suggests liver disease. Common liver diseases are hepatitis B or C, biliary obstruction, or fatty liver. Recommended to go for Lipid profile tests, HCV-Ab and HBs-Ag tests to make sure there’s no liver disease is going to advance.
