5 Common Pathological Tests for a Health Checkup

On International Pathology Day 2024, celebrated in the second week of November, the importance of pathology tests in preventing diseases cannot be overstated. Some of these pathological tests are part of a complete body checkup and help catch some chronic conditions early. With timely detection, treatment becomes easy, and quality of life improves significantly. This article discusses such five pathological tests in detail.

1. Complete Blood Count Test (CBC Test)

A CBC is a blood test that determines general health and diagnoses several health conditions, such as blood cancer, anaemia, and infection. A CBC test measures:

Red blood cells (RBC): These cells carry oxygen in the blood. A high red blood cell count indicates a disorder such as polycythaemia, while a low red blood cell count indicates anaemia.
White blood cells (WBC): These cells fight infection in the body. Abnormal WBC levels can indicate infection, inflammation, or immune system malfunction.
Haemoglobin: It is the oxygen-carrying component in RBCs. Low Haemoglobin levels can indicate anaemia. High haemoglobin levels can indicate a blood disorder or cancer.
Platelets: These help in blood clotting. A low platelet level is called thrombocytopenia, and a high platelet level is called thrombocytosis. Abnormal platelet levels can be a sign of a medical condition or a side effect of medication and require further testing.

2. Urinalysis

Urinalysis is a non-invasive test on the pathological test list to diagnose various health problems by testing urine. Problems with the lungs, kidneys, urinary tract, bladder and skin can affect urine’s appearance, concentration and composition. A urinalysis checks for:

Glucose: A high glucose level in urine can indicate diabetes.
Proteins: Proteins in urine can indicate kidney problems and other issues.
pH Level: The pH level of urine determines how acidic or alkaline it is. An acidic pH level can indicate kidney stones, while a basic pH level can indicate kidney failure or urinary tract infection.

3. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

LFTs are a group of laboratory blood tests that monitor proteins, enzymes and other substances secreted by the liver. LFTs are used to determine the functioning of the liver, detect liver damage and diagnose liver conditions like hepatitis. The critical tests in LFTs include:

Alanine Transaminase (ALT): ALT is an enzyme in the liver that converts protein. High ALT levels can indicate liver damage.
Aspartate Transaminase (AST): AST is an enzyme that breaks down amino acids in the body. A high level can indicate muscle damage.
Bilirubin is a waste product produced by the liver, and elevated levels can signal liver disease.
Alkaline Phosphatase: This enzyme in the liver is critical in protein breakdown. High ALP levels can indicate liver or bone disease.

4. Lipid Profile

A lipid profile, also known as a cholesterol test, is prescribed to determine the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is a blood test that measures:

Total Cholesterol: This is the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. A high total cholesterol level indicates heart disease risk.
LDL Cholesterol: It is also called as the bad cholesterol. A high LDL level indicates plaque accumulation in the arteries, which increases the risk of heart problems.
HDL Cholesterol: It is also known as the good cholesterol. It helps remove bad cholesterol, and a higher number indicates low heart disease risk.
Triglycerides: Fat is broken down in the body into triglycerides. A high triglyceride number can increase the risk of heart disease.
VLDL: Very low-density lipoprotein level is not measured directly from the blood. It is calculated as 20% of triglycerides. A high level indicates cardiovascular disease risk.

5. Thyroid Function Tests (TFTs)

TFTs consist of a group of blood tests that determine the working of the thyroid gland by measuring the thyroid hormone levels. The common thyroid function tests include:

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): This test determines thyroid function. A high TSH level can indicate hyperthyroidism, while a low TSH level can indicate hypothyroidism.
Thyroxine Test: This is also known as a T4 test. A high T4 level indicates hyperthyroidism.
T3 Test: This test is usually done if the T4 test levels are elevated. The T3 test measures the levels of the hormone triiodothyronine. Abnormal T3 levels can indicate Grave’s disease, an autoimmune condition associated with an overactive thyroid.

Regular overall body check up is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Understanding these tests can help one take charge of one’s health and guide healthcare providers in disease treatment and management. If someone has not undergone a health checkup in a long time, it is a good idea to consult a doctor and book a full body checkup at Dr Lal Pathlabs diagnostic centre.