Laboratory Test

The term "laboratory test" is a broad one. It covers everything from the simple tests that can be performed at home to the complex, highly specialized tests that require years of training and experience.

The most common types of laboratory tests are:

• Blood tests: These include the basic chemistry panel and complete blood count (CBC), which check your red blood cells and white blood cells, respectively. The more comprehensive metabolic panel includes a number of other important tests such as liver function tests, electrolytes (e.g., sodium levels), and kidney function.

• Urine/urine culture: This test checks for signs of infection in your urinary tract by checking for bacteria in urine samples or urine cultures (bacteria grown on plates).

• Stool sample: A stool sample checks for bacteria in your stool that could be causing an infection or other problems with digestion.

Laboratory tests are a staple of modern healthcare, and they're often the first step toward diagnosing and treating a wide variety of conditions. But if you're not familiar with the different types of laboratory tests, it can be hard to know what to ask your doctor about each one.