A C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Quantitative test is used to aid in the diagnosis of infections or diseases which cause inflammation. CRP is a protein produced by the liver. Higher than normal concentrations of CRP are often an indicator of infection or inflammation in the body. This test can help determine if an infection is present but not the source of the infection. Conditions that can cause elevated CRP levels include but are not limited to Sepsis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Arthritis, Lupus, Vasculitis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

This test includes prothrombin time plus INR and it measures how long it takes your blood to clot. It’s used to monitor the effects of the medication warfarin, and can help identify possible hereditary and clotting disorders. This test does not require fasting. Prothrombin Time (PT) is a blood test used in the evaluation of the extrinsic coagulation system; aid in screening for congenital and acquired deficiencies of factors II, V, VII, X, and fibrinogen. This test is used clinically for the therapeutic monitoring of warfarin (Coumadin®) anticoagulant therapy.

The tests are usually ordered for patients prior to surgery to ensure normal clotting ability.  The PT and PTT Blood Tests are useful in the diagnosis of excessive, unexplained bleeding in patients who are not taking blood-thinning medications. These bleeding disorders include conditions such as nosebleeds, bruising, heavy menstrual periods, blood in the stool and/or urine, and bleeding gums, among others,

Quest Diagnostics test code 17911 is for a DNA mutation analysis of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR). The test determines if a patient has one, two, or no copies of either of the two mutations in the MTHFR gene, C677T and A1298C.

Changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene can lead to certain health conditions. One of them is hyperhomocysteinemia (high blood levels of homocysteine), which is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease, cerebral vein thrombosis, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and venous thrombosis. At least 40 mutations in the MTHFR gene have been identified in people with homocystinuria, a disorder in which the body is unable to process certain amino acids properly.