New and Updated Topics
Updated Medical Test Topics
A primary care physician or a specialist in the field reviewed the following medical test topics. All information has been verified for medical accuracy, and new medical information has been added if available. The Test Overview in each test topic has been reorganized to define the test clearly and to explain why it is done. Information on how the test affects the body has been added if appropriate. To provide consistent information across all test topics, standard language has been developed for some topic sections. A link to a medical test information form has been added to the How to Prepare section of all appropriate topics. This form will help people prepare to talk with their health professional about a medical test.
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in Blood: In this updated topic, we have clarified the information about screening tests versus diagnostic tests. We have added information about first-trimester screening tests. We have added links to definitions of Down syndrome and trisomy 18.
- Amniocentesis: This topic has been updated to reflect the current ACOG guidelines. We no longer state that amniocentesis will only be offered to women over 35 or with high risk factors. We have removed the information stating that amniocentesis will be done for Rh sensitization, since most clinicians are now doing MCA dopplers instead. We have clarified the information about screening tests, and we have simplified the information about amniocentesis test results.
- Antisperm Antibody Test: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Arthrogram (Joint X-ray): This updated topic now lists an allergy to contrast material as a contraindication to the test. In addition, the example relating the amount of radiation supplied by the test to the amount received while on a plane flight from Boston to Los Angeles has been removed, because an arthrogram involves more than one X-ray exposure.
- Bilirubin: In the Results section, we have revised the direct and indirect bilirubin levels in the adult chart.
- Blood Alcohol: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Bowel Transit Time: This updated topic focuses on how the pellet test is used to measure bowel transit time. The information on home or dye tests has been removed.
- Breast Ultrasound: The Why It Is Done section now includes mention of using a breast ultrasound to check abnormal results from a mammogram. In the What to Think About section, we specify that an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy allows a doctor to confirm that a lump is benign.
- Carbon Dioxide: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): This updated topic now lists 10% (lowered from 20%) as the threshold level for carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.
- Chemistry Screen: This updated topic now includes gamma-glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase in the list of substances that an SMA-20 chem screen measures. Lactate dehydrogenase replaced lactic acid because lactic acid is not tested for in an SMA-20 chem screen.
- Chloride (Cl): This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): In this updated topic, we explain that CVS is done to find genetic disorders like hemophilia or Tay-Sachs only if the parents have a history of those family diseases. We also have clarified that CVS is generally not done to determine the cause of recurrent miscarriages. We explain that transcervical means through the cervix and transabdominal means through the abdomen.
- Clinical Breast Examination: We now suggest that a woman tell her doctor if she has any nipple discharge or pain in one breast, especially if the pain is not related to her menstrual cycle. For menstrual cycle-related breast pain, we suggest that women see the targeted topic Breast Pain (Mastalgia). Also, if a woman who normally has inverted nipples sees that her nipples have become everted, she should tell her doctor. We specify that one breast may have more glandular tissue than the other (especially in the upper outer quadrant) and therefore may feel more lumpy. We no longer say that women must remove their jewelry prior to an exam.
- Colon Cancer Genetic Testing: We now recommend talking with your doctor about colonoscopy screening if you have a family history of colon cancer. In the information on HNPCC, or Lynch syndrome, we state more directly what is meant by a strong family history. In the Should I Be Tested? section, the list of people who might choose to be tested now includes people who plan to make different medical decisions if they have a positive gene test. The Genetic Counseling section now says that genetic counseling can help you and your family understand what to do to help prevent colon cancer and keep it from recurring.
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP): This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Electrocardiogram: We have added a link to a picture of the heart and its electrical system to better explain what an electrocardiogram measures. In the Results section, we now link to a picture of the components and intervals of an electrocardiogram.
- Estrogens: In this updated topic, we have clarified the information about the use of this test in combination with other tests to estimate the chance that a baby may have a birth defect. We have added information about first-trimester screening tests.
- Exercise Electrocardiogram: We have added a link to a picture of the heart and its electrical system to better explain what an electrocardiogram measures. In the Results section, we now link to a picture of the components and intervals of an electrocardiogram. We have added that your doctor may suggest how much to eat before your test.
- Extremity X-ray: This updated topic now mentions that an extremity X-ray may be done to check on the condition of a joint replacement. It also contains revised information about factors that may affect a person's ability to have the test or get useful information from the test.
- Facial X-ray: This updated topic now lists finding the cause of facial pain as an indication for the test.
- Fertility Awareness: In this updated topic, we have added a statement to include irregular cycles as a factor that will affect the effectiveness of fertility awareness methods.
- Gastrin: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c, A1c): This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Gonioscopy: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Hair Analysis: In this updated topic, we clarify that while hair analysis has become more reliable and acceptable over the past 20 years, there are still issues that raise legal and ethical questions about its use, including possible false positives and different results for people with different hair colors or ethnic backgrounds.
- Hormone Inhibin A: In this updated topic, we have clarified the information about the use of this test in combination with other tests to estimate the chance that a baby may have a birth defect. We have added information about first-trimester screening tests.
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): This topic has been updated to explain that some hCG tests check the exact amount of hCG and some just check to see whether the hormone is present. We have added information about first-trimester screening tests.
- Magnesium (Mg): This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast: This topic now lists additional reasons that an MRI of the breast may be done to: check increased or abnormal blood flow, such as cancer and inflammation; screen women at high risk for ovarian as well as breast cancer; check the opposite breast in women with certain types of breast cancer; and check breasts with inverted nipples. We clarify that a contrast material may be used to distinguish breast tissue abnormalities more clearly. In How It Is Done, we now mention that some MRI machines have specially designed tables so that a woman can lie on her stomach. In the Results section, normal results now include a lack of solid masses or cysts, and abnormal results now include underarm lymph nodes that do not look normal. In What to Think About, we have added that abnormal MRI findings may require a repeat ultrasound in addition to a biopsy.
- Mental Health Assessment: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Postcoital Test: In this updated topic, we explain that the postcoital test is not commonly used, because experts feel that the results are not always accurate in indicating infertility.
- Pulse Measurement: This updated topic now has "Heart Rate Measurement" as a subtitle and mentions drinking alcohol as a reason for an increased heart rate. The target heart rate table has been replaced with a link to an interactive tool that helps people calculate their target heart rate for exercise.
- Self-Test for Breath Alcohol: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: This topic now advises a woman to call her doctor immediately if she has any swelling of the arm in which this procedure was done.
- Skull X-ray: The use of skull X-rays to investigate the sinuses has been removed from this updated topic, because it is more appropriately covered in the Facial X-ray topic.
- Sperm Penetration Tests: In this updated topic, we have rearranged the information to clearly separate the two different types of sperm penetration tests. We have also added a table to display the normal and abnormal results for the sperm penetration assay.
- Spinal X-ray: This updated topic now contains the statement that the test may not be done for a woman who is pregnant because of the danger to her fetus.
- Stool Analysis: This updated topic now includes stool with fat content greater than 7 g as part of the abnormal results information in the table. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) have been included in medicines that a person should not take before having certain stool tests.
- Stool Culture: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Tay-Sachs Test: We have updated the lab results values in this topic.
- Testosterone: This updated topic provides more information on testosterone in women, including having the test to check a decreased sex drive. The Results section now lists the SI values (International System of Values) for testosterone levels in two tables: one for males and the other for females. Also in this section, we compare the testosterone levels of healthy nonmenopausal, nonpregnant women to the levels of postmenopausal women and pregnant women. And we list possible causes for low values in women, including taking birth control pills, corticosteroids, or oral estrogens for hormone replacement therapy.
- Tests for Bacterial Vaginosis: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Tests for Erection Problems: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Tonometry: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Toxicology Tests: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: This topic has been updated according to the 2007 American Heart Association guidelines on the prevention of heart infections called endocarditis. According to these guidelines, antibiotics are no longer recommended before any stomach or intestinal tract procedures and surgeries.
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