Urea Test, The Indicator of Kidney Function The kidneys work nonstop as the body’s natural filtration system. One of their main tasks is to remove “waste” produced from protein metabolism, known as urea. To determine whether this filter is still functioning optimally or starting to struggle, the Urea test or Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test is key. In this edition of Labpedia, let’s understand that urea is formed in the liver and should be excreted through urine. If test results show high ur...

Content: Ever had a small cut that just wouldn't stop bleeding? Or woke up with mysterious bruises without bumping into anything? These could be red flags indicating an issue with the body's blood clotting system (coagulation). The medical way to check this is through PT (Prothrombin Time) and APTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) tests. In this edition of Labpedia, let's break it down. The body has a complex mechanism to clot blood and prevent excessive bleeding. PT evaluates the extr...

Do you often feel persistently tired—chronic fatigue—even after getting enough sleep? Or notice that your skin looks paler than usual? Don’t rush to blame a packed class schedule or a heavy workload. Your body may be signaling an iron imbalance, which can be identified through a Serum Iron test. In medical practice, a Serum Iron test is a blood test that measures the amount of iron bound in the serum (the liquid portion of blood). This test is essential because iron is a key fuel the body nee...

Breast cancer awareness is rising among the younger generation, yet confusion persists regarding the difference between Breast Ultrasound (USG) and Mammography. While both aim to detect breast abnormalities, they operate on different principles and serve different purposes. Breast Ultrasound uses ultrasonic sound waves to visualize internal tissue. This method is highly effective for examining lumps or cysts felt during a physical exam. It is typically recommended for younger women or those w...

PSA Test, The Essential Screening to Detect Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer often develops silently over the years, making early detection a crucial game-changer for men's health. This is where the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Test comes in as a primary screening tool. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. This test measures the level of PSA in the blood through a standard venous blood sample. Elevated levels can indicate potential issues, acting as a "red flag." However, a h...

The TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test for newborns is one of the most essential screenings performed shortly after birth. This test helps detect congenital hypothyroidism, a condition where the baby’s thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. What Is the Newborn TSH Test? The TSH test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood. It is performed on babies aged 2–4 days, using a small heel-prick blood sample. If the TSH level is below 20 µU/mL, it is considere...