Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a blood test ordered to determine if someone is infected with the hepatitis B virus. If it is found, along with specific antibodies, it means the person has a hepatitis B infection. If your blood is positive for HBsAg, it means you are infectious for the virus and can pass it to other people through your blood or body fluids. HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen) - A "positive" or "reactive" HBsAg test result means that the person is infected with hepatitis B. This test can detect the actual presence of the hepatitis B virus (called the “surface antigen”) in your blood. If a person tests “positive,” then further testing is needed to determine if this is a new “acute” infection or a “chronic” hepatitis B infection. A positive HBsAg test result means that you are infected and can spread the hepatitis B virus to others through your blood.

Vitamin D testing is used to determine whether you have enough vitamin D in your body to support normal bodily functions. An inadequate level of vitamin D is called a deficiency. A more mild lack of vitamin D can be referred to as an insufficiency. Your health care provider may order a vitamin D test in order to: 1. Screen for a possible deficiency or insufficiency if you have a risk factor that increases the likelihood of having a low level of vitamin D. A risk factor is anything that makes it more likely for a health problem to occur. 2. Diagnose a vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency if you have symptoms that suggest low levels. Testing may also be used to diagnose a rare vitamin D toxicity due to excess intake of vitamin D supplements. 3. Monitor your vitamin D levels if you are being treated for a previously detected deficiency.

Liver Function Tests Liver function tests (also known as liver panels are blood tests that measure different enzymes, proteins, and other substances made by the liver. These tests check the overall health of your liver. The different substances are often tested at the same time on a single blood sample, and may include the following: Albumin, a protein made in the liver Total protein. This test measures the total amount of protein in the blood. ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). These are different enzymes made by the liver. Bilirubin, a waste product made by the liver

Hemoglobin Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The hemoglobin test measures how much hemoglobin is in your blood. Why the Test is Performed The hemoglobin test is a common test and is almost always done as part of a complete blood count (CBC). Reasons or conditions for ordering the hemoglobin test include: 1. Symptoms such as fatigue, poor health, or unexplained weight loss 2. Signs of bleeding 3. Before and after major surgery 4. During pregnancy 5. Chronic kidney disease or many other chronic medical problems 6. Monitoring of anemia and its cause 7. Monitoring during treatment for cancer 8. Monitoring medicines that may cause anemia or low blood counts

TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) Test TSH stands for thyroid-stimulating hormone. A TSH test is a blood test that measures this hormone. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located near your throat. Your thyroid makes hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy. It also plays an important role in regulating your weight, body temperature, muscle strength, and even your mood. TSH is made in a gland in the brain called the pituitary. When thyroid levels in your body are low, the pituitary gland makes more TSH. When thyroid levels are high, the pituitary gland makes less TSH. TSH levels that are too high or too low can indicate your thyroid isn't working correctly. What is it used for? A TSH test is used to find out how well the thyroid is working.

The Urine Culture and Sensitivity test are done by collecting the Urine Sample in a clean sterilized hygienic bottle; preferably on an empty stomach early in the morning. First, the Urine Routine results are declared post 14-16 hours of the test being conducted. For the Urine Culture report, one has to wait for 48 – 72 hours for the report to be declared. The Urine Sample is kept in the Laboratory for 2-3 days, and a lab worker will keep a close check on it. They would make a note of how many types of germs or bacteria are present in the urine sample and how many are growing. The test is termed Negative if there are no germs noticed in the urine sample. If there is an indication of some germs growing, then that is a clear indication that the person has a UTI. E-Coli bacteria are the most common bacteria that cause UTIs. Post detection of the bacteria, they would then analyze further to check the urine sensitivity test, which means finding the antibiotics that can affect this situation and cure the infection completely.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 is a molecular test that analyzes your upper respiratory specimen, looking for genetic material (ribonucleic acid or RNA) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Scientists use the PCR technology to amplify small amounts of RNA from specimens into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is replicated until SARS-CoV-2 is detectable if present. The PCR test has been the gold standard test for diagnosing COVID-19 since authorized for use in February 2020. It’s accurate and reliable.

Random Blood Sugar Test This measures your blood sugar at the time you're tested. You can take this test at any time and don't need to fast (not eat) first. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes. Random blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken at a random time. Regardless of when you last ate, a blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) — 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) — or higher suggests diabetes. Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes. Oral glucose tolerance test. For this test, you fast overnight, and the fasting blood sugar level is measured. Then you drink a sugary liquid, and blood sugar levels are tested periodically for the next two hours. A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours indicates diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) indicates prediabetes

Cholesterol Levels Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in your blood and every cell of your body. You need some cholesterol to keep your cells and organs healthy. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. But you can also get cholesterol from the foods you eat, especially meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products. Foods that are high in dietary fat can also make your liver produce more cholesterol. Getting your cholesterol levels checked is an important part of staying healthy. High cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in Kenya. Knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects the cells of a person’s immune system and is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). When a person becomes infected with HIV, through exposure to the blood or body fluids of an infected individual, the virus begins to reproduce very rapidly. So, during the first few weeks of infection, the amount of virus (viral load) in the blood can be quite high. The immune system responds by producing antibodies directed against the virus and these begin to be detected in the blood around 3-4 weeks after exposure to the virus. As the level of HIV antibody increases, the viral load in the blood decreases. This early HIV infection may cause no symptoms or sometimes a flu-like or glandular fever-type illness. The only way to determine whether a person has been infected is through HIV testing. Modern HIV screening tests detect HIV antigens (parts of the virus itself, usually a protein called the p24 antigen) and/or antibodies produced in response to an HIV infection.

There are 4 main blood groups (types of blood) – A, B, AB and O. Your blood group is determined by the genes you inherit from your parents. Each group can be either RhD positive or RhD negative, which means in total there are 8 blood groups.

A stool analysis is a series of tests done on a stool (feces) sample to help diagnose certain conditions affecting the digestive tract. These conditions can include infection (such as from parasites, viruses, or bacteria), poor nutrient absorption, or cancer. For a stool analysis, a stool sample is collected in a clean container and then sent to the laboratory. Laboratory analysis includes microscopic examination, chemical tests, and microbiologic tests. The stool will be checked for color, consistency, amount, shape, odor, and the presence of mucus.