The word "lab" brings back fond school memories of crisp white coats, glass beakers, coloured solutions, and pungent odours. But in healthcare, it means much more.
Laboratory is derived from the Latin word laborare, meaning 'to labour'. True to its meaning, working inside a laboratory entails meticulous and often strenuous working conditions to ensure quality results.
Every time one visits a doctor, he/she advises a battery of tests, including some laboratory tests. So here are answers to some questions that pop up in your mind when this happens.
Why do I need laboratory tests?
We are all made of cells, each performing a complex action. Any alteration in cellular architecture or function is the base for a disease.
In a lab, we are trying to look into these changes using a variety of techniques and equipment. A lab test may be ordered for a variety of reasons, mainly being:
Should I get tested only when I am sick?
"Prevention is better than cure"
Depending on your age and medical history, you can get basic tests done once or twice a year, even if you have no symptoms.
Recommended routine tests include:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Urine Examination
- Blood Sugars (Fasting/PP)
- Lipid Profile
Where should I get the tests done?
A well-equipped, well-staffed lab overseen by a pathologist is essential. This ensures that quality checks for correct reporting begin even before your sample is collected and continue until you receive your report.
What do my reports mean?
In the Google era, many resort to the internet to find out what is wrong with our bodies. Though you will find a lot of information online, not all is relevant to your case and may be misleading.
Interpretation of your report should be left to your attending clinician or the pathologist.
Do not be afraid of lab tests.
These tests form the pillars for correct diagnosis and timely management to ensure your good health.
