Category: L

A scan of the liver after intravenous injection of a radioactive substance, to detect tumor, abscess, or degeneration, shown by a lack of uptake of the radioactive substance. A noninvasive technique that uses radioactive compounds to record and display an image of the liver. Liver scans are useful in the diagnosis of problems such as…

A blood test done to detect various diseases that stimulate the secretion of this enzyme, such as cirrhosis, polycythemia, and certain infections. It is also used to differentiate chronic myelogenous leukemia from leukemoid reactions. (Also known as the neutrophil alkaline phosphatase test.) A blood examination that assesses the level of enzyme activity within a specific…

A process in which blood is withdrawn from a vein, white blood cells are selectively removed in a cell-separating machine, and the remainder of the blood is reinfused in the donor. The white blood cells may be used for treatment, research, or other purposes. The separation of leukocytes from blood, which are then transfused back…

A test performed on blood to detect whether a person has liver disease or a bone and joint disease.  

Agglutinins found in blood of patient’s with Weil’s disease, an infectious type of jaundice caused by the Leptospira organism.  

A blood test to detect various antibodies and factors indicative of such conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and chronic infections. Also known as the latex agglutination test, this method tests body fluids like blood, urine, and saliva to identify specific infections. Small latex beads are coated with antibodies (immune system proteins) targeting a…

The date of the start of a pregnant woman’s most recent menstrual period, used to calculate the expected date of delivery. The date of the first day of menstruation before a presenting illness or the advent of pregnancy-related amenorrhea; used in estimating the expected date of delivery.  

The capacity of the body to handle lactose/glucose metabolism.  

A variety of molecular forms of lactic dehydrogenase; the pattern of distribution of the various isoenzymes (separated by electrophoresis) can help diagnose heart and liver disease.  

An enzyme; elevated in blood and tissues in various diseases including myocardial infarction, cancer, and anemia; elevated in CSF in various conditions, including stroke and meningitis.