Urinalysis with reflex to culture testing is done when the first urinalysis results are not normal or when doctors think the person might have a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, or another problem with their urinary tract. Several conditions may necessitate urinalysis with reflex testing. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common reason for reflex testing, as it helps healthcare providers identify the specific bacteria causing the infection and determine the most effective antibiotic treatment. Kidney diseases, such as glomerulonephritis or renal tubular acidosis, may also require reflex testing for accurate diagnosis and management. Conditions like hematuria (blood in urine) or proteinuria (protein in urine) warrant further investigation, as they may indicate underlying kidney disease or urinary tract neoplasms. Pregnant women may undergo reflex testing to monitor for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. NOTE: You need to visit the lab near you to submit two separate specimens in containers provided by the lab. NOTE: The culture will ONLY be performed if any of the following Urinalysis results are applicable:
•Presence of Leukocyte esterase alone
•Presence of WBCs (>5/hpf) alone
•Presence of Yeast
•Presence of Bacteria and the presence of WBCs (>5/hpf) or Leukocyte esterase
•Presence of Nitrite and the presence of WBCs (>5/hpf) or Leukocyte esterase

The cystatin C test (which also includes estimated creatinine clearance eGFR) can be done along with the creatinine or creatinine clearance test in cases where those tests aren’t appropriate, such as patients taking creatine supplements for bodybuilding. These supplements can increase creatinine and decrease creatinine clearance, which can alarm doctors who fear kidney dysfunction.  This creatinine increase is not clinically relevant, but running a Cystatin C test can give physicians reassurance and allow the patient to keep taking that effective bodybuilding supplement. 

D-Dimer is one of the by-products that can be measured after the fibrinolytic system is turned on. Fibrinolytic activation and intravascular thrombosis can be measured by the amount of D-Dimer in the blood. D-Dimer is especially helpful when ruling out venous thromboembolism in people who are at high risk.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is produced exclusively by cells of the prostate gland. Used in conjunction with the digital rectal examination, PSA is a useful screening test for benign prostate enlargement, prostatitis and prostate cancer development.

A blood pregnancy test is a medical test used to determine if a woman is pregnant by detecting the presence of the hormone hCG in her blood. Shortly after the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining, the developing placenta produces the hormone known as hCG. This test is the Quantitative hCG test (also known as a beta hCG test) and measures the specific amount of hCG present in the blood. It can help determine how far along a pregnancy is, monitor the progress of the pregnancy, and detect potential issues like an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.

Blood pregnancy tests are more sensitive than over-the-counter urine pregnancy tests and can detect pregnancy earlier – as soon as 6 to 8 days after ovulation.

The CA 125 level can help doctors understand how to manage patients with ovarian cancer. However, the CA 125 blood test is not advised for women who are at average risk for ovarian cancer.

Women with ovarian cancer usually have high levels of CA 125. However, a high CA 125 level does not always mean you have ovarian cancer. Some women who have ovarian cancer may never show a high CA 125 level.

This Arthritis Panel Includes Sedimentation Rate, Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA), Rheumatoid Factor, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and Serum Uric Acid