What is a Hemoglobin Test?

A hemoglobin test measures the levels of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. If your hemoglobin levels are abnormal, it may be a sign that you have a blood disorder.

What is it used for?

A hemoglobin test is often used to check for anemia, a condition in which your body has fewer red blood cells than normal. If you have anemia, the cells in your body don’t get all the oxygen they need. Hemoglobin tests are measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC).

Why do I need a hemoglobin test?

Your health care provider may order the test as part of a routine exam, or if you have:

Symptoms of anemia, which include weakness, dizziness, and cold hands and feet

A family history of thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, or other inherited blood disorder

A diet low in iron and other minerals

A long-term infection

Excessive blood loss from an injury or surgical procedure

What happens during a hemoglobin test?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don’t need any special preparation for a hemoglobin test. If your health care provider has ordered other tests on your blood sample, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your health care provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is very little risk to having a blood test. After the test, some people experience mild pain, dizziness, or bruising. These symptoms usually go away quickly.

What do the results mean?

There are many reasons your hemoglobin levels may not be in the normal range.

Low hemoglobin levels may be a sign of:

Different types of anemia

Thalassemia

Iron deficiency

Liver disease

Cancer and other diseases

High hemoglobin levels may be a sign of:

Lung disease

Heart disease

Polycythemia vera, a disorder in which your body makes too many red blood cells. It can cause headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

If any of your levels are abnormal, it doesn’t always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Diet, activity level, medicines, a menstrual period, and other factors can affect the results. You may also have higher than normal hemoglobin levels if you live in a high altitude area. Talk with your provider to learn what your results mean.

Is there anything else I need to know about a hemoglobin test?

Some forms of anemia are mild, while other types of anemia can be serious and even life threatening if not treated. If you are diagnosed with anemia, be sure to talk to your health care provider to find out the best treatment plan for you.

Ova and Parasite Test

An ova and parasite test looks for parasites and their eggs (ova) in a sample of your stool. A parasite is a tiny plant or animal that gets nutrients by living off another creature. Parasites can live in your digestive system and cause illness. These are known as intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites affect tens of millions of people around the world. They are more common in countries where sanitation is poor.

The most common types of parasites in the U.S. include giardia and cryptosporidium, often referred to as crypto. These parasites are commonly found in:

Rivers, lakes, and streams, even in those that appear clean

Swimming pools and hot tubs

Surfaces such as bathroom handles and faucets, diaper changing tables, and toys. These surfaces may contain traces of stool from an infected person.

Food

Soil

Many people get infected with an intestinal parasite when they accidentally swallow contaminated water or take a drink from a lake or stream. Children at day care centers are also at higher risk for infection. Children may pick up the parasite by touching an infected surface and putting their fingers in their mouths.

Fortunately, most parasite infections go away on their own or are easily treated. But a parasite infection can cause serious complications in people with weakened immune systems. Your immune system may be weakened by HIV/AIDS, cancer, or other disorders. Infants and older adults also have weaker immune systems.

Other names: parasitic examination (stool), stool sample exam, stool O&P, fecal smear

What is it used for?

An ova and parasite test is used to find out if parasites are infecting your digestive system. If you’ve already been diagnosed with a parasite infection, the test may be used to see if your treatment is working.

Why do I need an ova and parasite test?

Your health care provider may order tests if you or your child has symptoms of an intestinal parasite. These include:

Diarrhea that lasts for more than a few days

Abdominal pain

Blood and/or mucus in the stool

Nausea and vomiting

Gas

Fever

Weight loss

Sometimes these symptoms go away without treatment, and testing is not needed. But testing may be ordered if you or your child has symptoms of a parasite infection and are at higher risk for complications. Risk factors include:

Age. Infants and older adults have weaker immune systems. This can make infections more dangerous.

Illness. Certain illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and cancer can weaken the immune system.

Certain medicines. Some medical conditions are treated with drugs that suppress the immune system. This can make a parasite infection more serious.

Worsening symptoms. If your symptoms don’t improve over time, you may need medicine or other treatment.

What happens during an ova and parasite test?

You will need to provide a sample of your stool. Your provider or your child’s provider will give you specific instructions on how to collect and send in your sample. Your instructions may include the following:

Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves.

Collect and store the stool in a special container given to you by your health care provider or a lab.

If you have diarrhea, you can tape a large plastic bag to the toilet seat. It may be easier to collect your stool this way. You will then put the bag into the container.

Make sure no urine, toilet water, or toilet paper mixes in with the sample.

Seal and label the container.

Remove the gloves, and wash your hands.

Return the container to your health care provider as soon as possible. Parasites may be harder to find when stool is not tested quickly enough. If you are unable to get to your provider right away, you should refrigerate your sample until you are ready deliver it.

If you need to collect a sample from a baby, you will need to:

Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves.

Line the baby’s diaper with plastic wrap

Position the wrap to help prevent urine and stool from mixing together.

Place the plastic wrapped sample in a special container given to you by your child’s provider.

Remove the gloves, and wash your hands.

Return the container to the provider as soon as possible. If you are unable to get to your provider right away, you should refrigerate your sample until you are ready deliver it.

You may need to collect several stool samples from yourself or your child over a period of a few days. This is because parasites may not be detected in every sample. Multiple samples increase the chance the parasites will be found.

What do the results mean?

A negative result means no parasites were found. This can mean you don’t have a parasite infection or there were not enough parasites to be detected. Your health care provider may retest and/or order different tests to help make a diagnosis.

A positive result means you’ve been infected with a parasite. The results will also show the type and number of parasites you have.

Treatment for an intestinal parasite infection almost always includes drinking plenty of fluids. This is because diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration (the loss of too much fluid from your body). Treatment may also include medicines that get rid of the parasites and/or relieve symptoms.

If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.

Is there anything else I need to know about an ova and parasite test?

There are steps you can take to help prevent a parasite infection. They include:

Always wash your hands after going to the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before handling food.

Don’t drink water from lakes, streams, or rivers, unless you know for sure it has been treated.

When camping or traveling to certain countries where the water supply may not be safe, avoid tap water, ice, and uncooked foods washed with tap water. Bottled water is safe.

If you are unsure if water is safe, boil it before drinking. Boiling water for one to three minutes will kill the parasites. Wait until the water cools before drinking.

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create a picture (also known as a sonogram) of organs, tissues, and other structures inside the body. Unlike x-rays, ultrasounds don’t use any radiation. An ultrasound can also show parts of the body in motion, such as a heart beating or blood flowing through blood vessels.

There are two main categories of ultrasounds: pregnancy ultrasound and diagnostic ultrasound.

Pregnancy ultrasound is used to look at an unborn baby. The test can provide information about a baby’s growth, development, and overall health.

Diagnostic ultrasound is used to view and provide information about other internal parts of the body. These include the heart, blood vessels, liver, bladder, kidneys, and female reproductive organs.

Other names: sonogram, ultrasonography, pregnancy sonography, fetal ultrasound, obstetric ultrasound, diagnostic medical sonography, diagnostic medical ultrasound

What is it used for?

An ultrasound can be used in different ways, depending on the type of ultrasound and which part of the body is being checked.

A pregnancy ultrasound is done to get information about the health of an unborn baby. It may be used to:

Diagnostic ultrasound may be used to:

Find out if blood is flowing at a normal rate and level.

See if there is a problem with the structure of your heart.

Look for blockages in the gallbladder.

Check the thyroid gland for cancer or non-cancerous growths.

Check for abnormalities in the abdomen and kidneys.

Help guide a biopsy procedure. A biopsy is a procedure that removes a small sample of tissue for testing.

In women, diagnostic ultrasound may be used to:

Look at a breast lump to see if it might be cancer. (The test may also be used to check for breast cancer in men, though this type of cancer is far more common in women.)

Help find the cause of pelvic pain.

Help find the cause of abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Help diagnose infertility or monitor infertility treatments.

In men, diagnostic ultrasound may be used to help diagnose disorders of the prostate gland.

Why do I need an ultrasound?

You may need a ultrasound if you are pregnant. There is no radiation used in the test. It offers a safe way of checking the health of your unborn baby.

You may need diagnostic ultrasound if you have symptoms in certain organs or tissues. These include the heart, kidneys, thyroid, gallbladder, and female reproductive system. You may also need ultrasound if you are getting a biopsy. The ultrasound helps your health care provider get a clear image of the area that is being tested.

What happens during an ultrasound?

A ultrasound usually includes the following steps:

You will lie on a table, exposing the area that’s being viewed.

A health care provider will spread a special gel on the skin over that area.

The provider will move a wand-like device, called a transducer, over the area.

The device sends sound waves into your body. The waves are so high pitched that you can’t hear them.

The waves are recorded and turned into images on a monitor.

You may be able to view the images as they are being made. This often happens during a pregnancy ultrasound, allowing you to look at your unborn baby.

After the test is over, the provider will wipe the gel off your body.

The test takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

In some cases, a pregnancy ultrasound may be done by inserting the transducer into the vagina. This is most often done early in pregnancy.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

The preparations will depend on which type of ultrasound you are having. For ultrasounds of the abdominal area, including pregnancy ultrasounds and ultrasounds of the female reproductive system, you may need to fill up your bladder before the test. This involves drinking two to three glasses of water about an hour before the test, and not going to the bathroom. For other ultrasounds, you may need to adjust your diet or to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before your test. Some types of ultrasounds require no preparation at all.

Your health care provider will let you know if you need to do anything to prepare for your ultrasound.

Are there any risks to the test?

There are no known risks to having an ultrasound. It is considered safe during pregnancy.

What do the results mean?

If your pregnancy ultrasound results were normal, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a healthy baby. No test can do that. But normal results may mean:

Your baby is growing at a normal rate. You have the right amount of amniotic fluid. No birth defects were found, though not all birth defects will show up on an ultrasound.

If your pregnancy ultrasound results were not normal, it may mean:

The baby is not growing at a normal rate.

You have too much or too little amniotic fluid.

The baby is growing outside the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. A baby can’t survive an ectopic pregnancy, and the condition can be life threatening for the mother.

There is a problem with the baby’s position in the uterus. This could make delivery more difficult.

Your baby has a birth defect.

If your pregnancy ultrasound results were not normal, it doesn’t always mean your baby has a serious health problem. Your provider may suggest more tests to help confirm a diagnosis.

If you had diagnostic ultrasound, the meaning of your results will depend on which part of the body was being looked at.