Other lab tests

This shows whether your blood type is A, B, AB or O. The positive or negative part of your blood type, called Rh type, is checked by a separate test.

Aldolase is an enzyme, a type of protein, found mostly in your muscles. When muscles are inflamed or injured, more of it can leak into your blood.

Your body can make antibodies, immune proteins, against red blood cells that aren’t your own, such as after a transfusion or pregnancy. This screen looks for them, and the lab identifies and measures any it finds.

Creatine kinase, or CK, is an enzyme found mostly in your muscles. It can leak into your blood when muscles are strained or damaged, so it can stay higher for a few days after a hard workout.

Gastrin is a hormone made in your stomach that tells it when to make acid for digestion. Levels can rise when the stomach makes too little acid or, rarely, when a growth makes too much gastrin.

Sickle hemoglobin is a changed form of the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This screen looks for it, and a positive result, which may point to sickle cell trait, can be followed up with another test.

Counts band cells, which are young neutrophils, the white blood cells that fight bacteria. Your body can send out more of them early in an infection.

Basophils are the rarest type of white blood cell, and this is a count of them. They release histamine, a chemical behind allergy symptoms like itching and swelling.

Looks for blasts, very young blood cells that normally stay in your bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones where blood is made. Usually none are found in the blood.

Counts eosinophils, white blood cells that help fight parasites and play a part in allergies and asthma.

Lymphocytes are white blood cells that fight viruses and remember germs you’ve met before, which is how vaccines protect you. This is a count of them in your blood.

Checks for metamyelocytes, young white blood cells that usually stay in your bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones, until they mature. Normally few or none are found in the blood.

Counts monocytes, white blood cells that swallow germs and clear away dead cells, helping your body heal.

Counts myelocytes, young white blood cells that normally stay in your bone marrow, the soft tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made. Usually none are found in the blood.

Counts your neutrophils, the most common white blood cells and your body’s first line of defense against bacteria. This number is a key guide to how well your body can fight bacterial infections.

Counts nucleated red blood cells, young red cells that still have a nucleus, the cell’s control center. They normally stay in your bone marrow, so adults usually have none in their blood.

Counts promyelocytes, very early white blood cells that belong in your bone marrow, the soft tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made. Normally none are found in the blood.

Compares the two main groups of protein in your blood: albumin, made by your liver, and globulins, which include the antibodies that fight infection. The balance can hint at liver, kidney or immune changes.

Bands are young neutrophils, the white blood cells that fight bacteria. When you’re fighting an infection, your bone marrow, where blood cells are made, can release them early, so more bands can be a sign of infection.

Blasts are the earliest, most immature blood cells. They normally stay inside your bone marrow, the soft tissue in your bones where blood cells are made, so none are expected in your blood.

Compares two waste products your kidneys clear from your blood: urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. The balance can help show whether a change comes from not drinking enough or from how your kidneys are working.

Globulins are a group of proteins in your blood. They include antibodies, which your immune system makes to fight germs, and proteins that carry hormones, iron and other things around your body.

Metamyelocytes are nearly grown white blood cells that normally stay in your bone marrow, where blood cells are made. This shows what share of your white cells they make up, which is usually none.

Shows what share of your white blood cells are myelocytes, young cells that normally stay in your bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Usually none are found in the blood.

Compares the number of nucleated red blood cells, young red cells that still have a nucleus, with your white blood cells. These cells normally stay in your bone marrow, so adults usually have none in their blood.

Shows what share of your white blood cells are promyelocytes, very early cells that belong in your bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Normally there are none in the blood.

Reactive lymphocytes are white blood cells that have grown larger and changed shape while fighting an infection. They may be a sign of a recent viral illness, such as mono.