Detailed information about the main medical and diagnostic tests. Find out what they are for, how they are made, what preparation is recommended and what the results mean.
The presence of excess protein in urine is scientifically known as proteinuria and may be indicative of kidney problems, high blood pressure or diabetes. The kidneys filter the blood, eliminating what is not important and retaining what is important for the body, however, in some situations, the kidneys allow proteins to pass through their filters, […]
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PET scan, also called PET-CT or positron emission computed tomography, is an exam normally indicated to investigate cancer, evaluate the possibility of metastasis and monitor the development of the tumor and response to treatment. The PET scan exam is quick and safe, as the substance, which is marked by a radioactive substance, emits radiation in […]
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Parathyroid hormone, also known as PTH, is a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands, which are small glands located in the thyroid and which is metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. PTH’s main function is to regulate calcium levels in the body, as it stimulates the release of calcium into the plasma, […]
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Penoscopy is a diagnostic test used by a urologist to identify lesions or changes that are not visible to the naked eye, or microscopic warts, which may be present on the penis, scrotum or perianal region in men. It is generally indicated to diagnose HPV infections, but it can also be used in cases of […]
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The preventive exam is a gynecological exam indicated for sexually active women and whose objective is to evaluate the cervix, checking for signs that indicate infection with HPV, which is the virus responsible for cervical cancer, or other microorganisms that can be transmitted sexually. The preventive exam, also called the Pap smear, is a simple, […]
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Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that is responsible for stimulating the development of the mammary glands, promoting the production of milk in the breasts and regulating the menstrual cycle after childbirth. Changes in prolactin levels can be seen in the case of excessive stimulation of the breasts or use of specific […]
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The snare test is a quick test that must be carried out in all cases of suspected dengue fever, as it allows the fragility of blood vessels to be identified, which is common in dengue virus infection. Although it does not always come back positive when a person has dengue, this test is part of […]
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RDW is the acronym for Red Cell Distribution Widthwhich in Portuguese means Amplitude of Distribution of Red Blood Cells, and which evaluates the variation in size between red blood cells, this variation being called anisocytosis. Therefore, when the value is high in the blood count it means that the red blood cells have significant differences […]
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic exam that uses a high-intensity magnetic field and radio waves, allowing the internal structures of organs to be visualized with great definition, being able to identify various health problems, such as aneurysms, tumors, changes in joints or other injuries to internal organs. This exam, also known as nuclear […]
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The PCR test, or RT-PCR, is an extremely sensitive laboratory test that is widely used to confirm the existence of virus infections, such as Zika, Ebola, H1N1 and, more recently, COVID-19. In addition to viral infections, the PCR test may also be indicated to investigate some bacterial infections, the presence of mutations in DNA that […]
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