A prothrombin gene mutation test checks for the inherited F2 G20210A variant linked to higher venous blood clot risk. Learn who may need testing, how results are interpreted, what the test cannot tell you, and what to ask about cost before ordering.
Whole exome sequencing can help diagnose some inherited and rare conditions, but it has limits. Learn what WES covers, result types, preparation steps, privacy issues, and cost questions to ask before ordering.
A mercury blood test checks whole blood mercury levels, most often for recent exposure or methylmercury from seafood. Learn how to prepare, what results mean, and when urine testing may be better.
A haptoglobin blood test measures a liver-made protein that binds free hemoglobin. It is most often used with other labs to evaluate possible hemolytic anemia, transfusion reactions, and related red blood cell destruction.
A fibrinogen blood test measures factor I, a clotting protein made by the liver. Learn why it is ordered, how to prepare, what low and high results can mean, and how to compare costs.
The aPTT blood test measures how long part of your blood-clotting system takes to form a clot. Learn why it’s ordered, how to prepare, what high or low results may mean, and what follow-up testing may involve.
A PT/INR blood test measures clotting time and is commonly used to monitor warfarin, evaluate bleeding concerns, and assess clotting status before procedures.
A metanephrines blood test measures plasma free metanephrine and normetanephrine to help detect or rule out catecholamine-secreting tumors such as pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Learn how to prepare, what results may mean, and when follow-up testing is needed.
A renin blood test measures kidney-related hormone activity involved in blood pressure, sodium, potassium, and aldosterone balance. Learn when it is ordered, how to prepare, what high or low renin can mean, and how results are interpreted with aldosterone.
An aldosterone blood test measures a salt-and-water-regulating hormone made by the adrenal glands. Learn why it is ordered, how to prepare, what high or low results can mean, and why renin, potassium, posture, salt intake, and medications matter.
