Calcium Blood Test A calcium blood test measures the amount of calcium in your blood. Calcium is one of the most important minerals in your body. You need calcium for healthy bones and teeth. Calcium is also essential for the proper functioning of your nerves, muscles, and heart. About 99% of your body's calcium is stored in your bones. The remaining 1% circulates in the blood. If there is too much or too little calcium in the blood, it may be a sign of bone disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions. What is it used for? There are two types of calcium blood tests: Total calcium measures the calcium attached to specific proteins in your blood. Ionized calcium, measures the calcium that is unattached or "free" from these proteins.

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.

Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) The cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) biomarker test is used to monitor breast cancer and its response to treatment. The CA 15-3 antigen is a protein released into the bloodstream by breast cancer, various other cancers, and even some benign (noncancerous) conditions. CA 15-3 is one of several substances classified as tumor markers, which may increase as a malignancy progresses and decrease as a tumor gets smaller as it responds to cancer therapy. This test is used to monitor response to breast cancer treatment and disease recurrence.

Prolactin Levels A prolactin (PRL) test measures the level of prolactin in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone made by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. Prolactin causes the breasts to grow and make milk during pregnancy and after birth. Prolactin levels are normally high for pregnant women and new mothers. A prolactin levels test is used to: 1. Diagnose a prolactinoma (a type of tumor of the pituitary gland) 2. Help find the cause of a woman's menstrual irregularities and/or infertility 3. Help find the cause of a man's low sex drive and/or erectile dysfunction

A c-reactive protein test measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood. CRP is a protein made by your liver. It's sent into your bloodstream in response to inflammation. Measure Low-Level inflammation, and infection.

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

Drug Use Screening Tests Drug use screening tests are questionnaires designed to find out if you are abusing drugs. Drug abuse is a pattern of using drugs that can cause serious problems in your work, relationships, and health. Drug abuse can include taking illegal drugs or misusing legal drugs. Misuse means using the drugs for a nonmedical reason, such as getting high or taking more than the prescribed dose. It can also mean taking someone else's medicine or taking medicine in a different way than you are supposed to, such as crushing and snorting tablets. Drug abuse is a disease that can make you physically and mentally dependent on drugs. A drug use screening test can help your provider make an effective treatment plan for you. Commonly abused drugs include: Marijuana Prescription opioid pain relievers, which include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine Heroin, an illegal opioid Cocaine Methamphetamines Hallucinogens, which are drugs that cause hallucinations (seeing, hearing, and/or feeling things that are not real). They include LSD and Ecstasy (MDMA). Drug abuse may also be called drug addiction or substance abuse. Substance abuse can also refer to the abuse of other substances including alcohol and inhalants. Inhalants are household products, such as paint thinner and certain types of glue, that contain substances that affect perception and mood when inhaled.