Biochemical tests

It is often ordered together with an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test for the diagnosis or evaluation of liver disease. AST and ALT are considered the two most important tests for detecting liver damage.

A screening test to assess liver dysfunction or kidney disease. It is also suitable for assessing nutritional status (especially in hospitalised patients).

It is an indicator of bone and liver pathology. Important to note: sometimes an increase in this enzyme can be due to the patient’s blood being tested after a meal.

The indicator is useful in detecting contact with streptococcal infection.

Investigation of liver damage. It is often ordered together with an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test for the diagnosis or evaluation of liver disease. AST and ALT are considered the two most important tests for detecting liver damage.

The C-reactive protein (CRB) test is used to detect inflammation when tissue damage or inflammation caused by infection is suspected.

It is recommended when changes in total calcium levels are detected.

Determined by assessing electrolyte-liquid balance.

Cholesterol testing differs from many other tests in that it is not only used to detect disease, but also to assess the risk of disease – especially ischaemic heart disease.

The test is used to assess kidney function and monitor the treatment of kidney disease.

The test is designed to assess how much iron is stored in the body.

One of the most sensitive indicators of cholestatic liver syndrome, alcoholic and toxic liver injury, and liver metastases, with an increase that can become apparent early in the disease.

The test is needed to monitor people for diabetes mellitus, elevated glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) or reduced glucose levels (hypoglycaemia).

HDL cholesterol testing is used to properly assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) test is used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The test is used to assess nutritional status when deficiencies of folic acid, vitamin B6 and/or vitamin B12 are suspected. It is used to diagnose the rare birth defect homocystinuria.

The LDH test is primarily used as a general indicator of the fact and severity of acute or chronic tissue damage. It is also used to assess the course of certain chronic diseases such as cancer, kidney and liver disease.

LDL cholesterol testing is used to properly assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The test is used to determine the magnesium level in the blood, to assess the severity of kidney disease or uncontrolled diabetes, to diagnose gastrointestinal disorders, and to evaluate the causes of changes in calcium, potassium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Sodium levels should be monitored for kidney disease, acute inflammation, tumours, diuretics (urinary stimulants), heart failure, vomiting or diarrhoea.

A convenient test to assess the diagnosis, prognosis and course of joint disease.

It is an indicator of liver and gallbladder function. This test alone is not of great value in the diagnosis of the disease, and should be accompanied by a direct bilirubin test. It is performed in case of suspicion of: liver tumours, gallbladder stones, anaemia, cirrhosis, poisoning of the liver with poison.

It is performed on people suffering from kidney, bone, heart, nervous system and dental diseases.

The test is used to assess a patient’s nutritional status, or to evaluate for liver or kidney problems or a number of other diseases. If the result of the total protein test is abnormal, further tests are needed to determine the cause of the condition.

Triacylglycerol testing is used to properly assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.

It is used to assess kidney function and is more reflective of total kidney function.

Used to diagnose gout. Elevated levels are found in kidney disease.

To diagnose pancreatitis or other pancreatic diseases.