Health Library
Cancer Surgeons Advise Against Removal of Healthy Breast FRIDAY, July 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Only certain women with cancer in one breast should have their healthy breast removed in an attempt to prevent cancer, a leading group of breast surgeons maintains. The new position statement from the American Society of Breast Surgeons comes at a time when more breast cancer patients are asking doctors to remove the unaffected breast -- a procedure known as contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. "Contrala...
Could Slight Brain Zap During Sleep Boost Memory? THURSDAY, July 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Stimulating a targeted area of the brain with small doses of weak electricity while you sleep may enhance your ability to remember what you learned the night before, new research finds. The new procedure is called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). "We work with the brain, that's really unique about what we do. We listen in to brain activity and can boost what the brain already wants to do," s...
CDC Updates Zika Guidelines for Pregnant Women MONDAY, July 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials on Monday updated their Zika virus guidelines, saying that pregnant women could contract Zika from a sex partner of either gender. The virus can cause serious birth defects including microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and brains. The new update follows news last week of the first recorded female-to-male transmission of the virus during sex. While mosquitoes are by f...
Coming to a Brew Near You: Calorie Counts, Carbs Info THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Calorie counts and carbs might be the last thing on your mind as you tip back a cold beer on a steamy summer evening. But that information and more will soon be easy to find, thanks to a new coalition of U.S. beer makers and importers. The coalition has developed a voluntary labeling program to detail what's in its beers, a Beer Institute news release said. Beer labels will provide calorie, carbohydrate, pr...
Chickens Make Malaria Mosquitoes Fly the Coop THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Although a chicken may seem a strange choice for a bedfellow, sleeping with a poultry partner next to your bed could protect you from malaria, a new study suggests. Researchers found that one of the main mosquito species ( Anopheles arabiensis ) that transmits malaria in sub-Saharan Africa avoids chickens when looking for a meal of blood. The mosquitoes use their sense of smell to distinguish between chickens and a...
Cancer Experts Criticize Report on Rising Prostate Cancer Numbers THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A headline-grabbing report earlier this week claimed that new cases of advanced prostate cancer in the United States had skyrocketed 72 percent in the past decade. And the study authors from Northwestern University suggested the increase might be tied to a 2012 recommendation that men not be screened for prostate cancer by using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA, a protein produced b...
Could New 'Talk Therapy' Cut Cost of Treating Depression? FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A simpler and less expensive form of talk therapy is as effective as the gold-standard treatment -- cognitive behavioral therapy -- for treating depression in adults, a new study suggests. The researchers found that so-called behavioral activation therapy treats depression just as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). But behavioral activation can be provided by mental health workers with minimal tr...
Cartilage Grown in Lab Might One Day Help Younger Arthritis Sufferers TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists report progress toward developing lab-grown cartilage that could postpone or possibly eliminate the need for hip replacement surgery in younger arthritis patients. The cartilage hasn't been tested in humans yet, and it's too early to know anything about side effects or cost. Still, the researchers said it's promising because the cartilage is only partially artificial -- it also inc...
Cancer Experts Endorse CDC's HPV Vaccine Guidelines TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The American Cancer Society has endorsed the U.S. government's HPV vaccination recommendations, which include immunizing all preteens against the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus. In a new report, the cancer society says 11- and 12-year-old girls as well as boys should be vaccinated to guard against cancers associated with HPV. This is in line with updated guidelines from the federal Centers for Dise...
Cutting Down on Sweets Can Help Kids' Hearts TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Cutting sugar -- not calories -- is the key to reducing the risk of heart disease among obese children, a new study suggests. Curbing the kids' sugar intake improved their triglyceride levels (a type of blood fat, or "lipid") as well as levels of a protein associated with heart disease, known as ApoC-III, researchers found. "The blood lipid responses of these children is nothing short of astounding, and unrelated to ...
Cancer Patients, Doctors Often Disagree About Prognosis FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Cancer patients and their doctors often hold different opinions about the patient's chances for survival and how long he or she might live, according to a new study. And, in many cases, patients are unaware there's any misunderstanding. "First, some patients might know the doctor's prognosis estimate but the patient chooses to disagree, often because they believe other sources. And second, some patients thi...
Cornea Transplants Riskier for Women When They Come From Men? FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Women who undergo a cornea transplant may have a worse outcome if their donor is a man, a new study suggests. Subtle differences between men and women may increase the risk of failure or rejection for up to five years, the British researchers found. They noted that matching the gender of cornea donors and recipients could help improve transplant outcomes. The study involved more than 18,100 cornea tra...
CDC Warns of Dangers of Plastic Surgery in Dominican Republic THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials are warning about the dangers of "medical tourism" after at least 18 women from the East Coast became infected with a disfiguring bacteria following plastic surgery procedures they had in the Dominican Republic. The infections, caused by a type of germ called mycobacteria, can be difficult to treat. At least several of the women had to be hospitalized, undergo surgery to treat ...
Can Trauma Trigger Violent Crime in Mentally Ill? WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- People with serious mental illness who are victims of violence or exposed to stressful events are more likely to engage in a violent crime in the week following the trauma, a new study contends. Stressful experiences also affect people without psychiatric disorders, but not to the same extent, the researchers said. Some stressful events -- such as being violently victimized, injured in an accident, losing one'...
Cash Rewards Won't Change Outcomes for HIV-Infected Drug Addicts: Study WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Giving drug-addicted, HIV-positive people cash incentives to help improve unhealthy behaviors doesn't work, a new study finds. The study, funded by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, tracked outcomes for HIV-infected people with substance-abuse problems -- a notoriously tough group to treat, the researchers said. To lower rates of HIV infection and illness, "we must get serious ab...
Cancer Drug Shows Early Promise for Parkinson's Disease TUESDAY, July 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A drug used to treat leukemia has shown initial signs of promise for advanced cases of Parkinson's disease, researchers are reporting. Experts stressed that the study was small, and primarily designed to see whether the drug -- called nilotinib (brand name Tasigna) -- is even safe for Parkinson's patients. It did appear "relatively safe" among the dozen patients studied, said Dr. Charbel Moussa, the senior...
Common Surgeries Raise Risk for Opioid Dependence: Study MONDAY, July 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- After knee surgery and other common operations, patients have an elevated risk of growing dependent on opioid painkillers, a new study finds. These prescription painkillers include hydrocodone (Vycodin, Lortab), oxycodone (OxyContin) and fentanyl, the narcotic implicated in the April 21 death of rock legend Prince. "For a lot of surgeries there is a higher chance of getting hooked on painkillers," said stu...
Concussion Rates Have Doubled Among U.S. Kids SUNDAY, July 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Concussion rates are rising sharply among U.S. kids and teens, researchers report. The study, which looked at health insurance claims for almost 9 million Americans, found that concussion diagnoses more than doubled between 2007 and 2014. The big question is whether the increase reflects a true rise in the number of injuries or an increase in diagnoses -- or both. The most significant jump was seen among 10- to 14-ye...
Could Statins Help Fight Cancer? FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Some cancer patients who take cholesterol-lowering statins may live longer than those not on these heart medications, a study from Britain suggests. While it did not prove a cause-and-effect connection, the study of nearly 1 million cancer patients found that those taking statin drugs such as Lipitor and Crestor appeared to have: a 22 percent lower risk of dying from lung cancer, a 43 percent lower risk of dying from breast cancer...
Can an Antibiotic Help You? Quick Test Might Someday Tell WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Health experts have long warned that antibiotics are overused, often prescribed for viral infections for which the drugs are useless. A quick blood test to determine whether an infection is viral or bacterial would help curb the problem -- and scientists now say that test may come soon. One family physician believes the screen could be a great advance for patients. "It would reduce unnecessary antibioti...
Could 'Zaps' to the Brain Help Fight Glaucoma? FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Electrical pulses to the brain may help restore vision in some partially blind patients, German researchers report. Glaucoma and other types of damage to the eye's optic nerve typically cause permanent damage. But, the new technique appears to kick-start the brain's visual control centers, the researchers explained. A 10-day treatment regimen -- entailing upwards of nearly an hour a day of electrical pulses aimed dir...
Concussions Strike 1 in 3 Water Polo Players WEDNESDAY, June 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Add water polo to the list of sports where concussions are common. A recent survey of more than 1,500 USA Water Polo members found 36 percent had suffered at least one concussion during games or practices. The average was just over two concussions per person, and concussions were more common among females than males. Goalies had the highest rate of concussion, with 47 percent saying they had suffered at least one c...
Complete Urinalysis Does this test have other names? Urine test, urine examination, UA What is this test? This test looks at a sample of your urine. Your healthcare provider can use the results from this test to help diagnose, find, or track many conditions. These include: Diabetes Metabolic diseases such as phenylketonuria Kidney problems or infections Liver problems Urinary tract infections Lupus Congestive heart failure Cancer A lab can look at a urine sample in different ways: Visual inspection. If ...
Cytomegalovirus (Urine) Does this test have other names? CMV test What is this test? This is a urine test for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that belongs to the herpes family. It is so widespread that most people in the U.S. have been infected by the time they reach age 40, although many don't realize it. You can pick up the virus by handling or exchanging bodily fluids, such as saliva, blood, urine, breast milk, and semen. The virus usually causes only a mild illness, but it can do serious harm ...
Cytomegalovirus (Blood) Does this test have other names? CMV (serum), cytomegalovirus serologic test, cytomegalovirus antibody, IgG, IgM What is this test? This test looks for antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus in the herpes family, in your blood. CMV is so widespread that most people in the U.S. have been infected by the time they reach age 40, although many don't realize it. You can pick up the virus by handling or exchanging bodily fluids, such as saliva, blood, urine, breast milk, and seme...
Cytomegalovirus (Amniotic Fluid) Does this test have other names? No. What is this test? This test checks a developing baby for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus that belongs to the herpes family of viruses. The herpes family includes herpes simplex; varicella zoster, which causes chickenpox and shingles; and Epstein-Barr mononucleosis. Cytomegalovirus is common in adults and even children. The majority percent of all adults will have CMV by the time they're 40. It usually goes undetected because actual sy...
Cystic Fibrosis Sweat Test Does this test have other names? Sweat chloride test What is this test? A sweat chloride test is the gold standard test for diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a disease that causes mucus to build up and clog organs, especially the lungs. This causes breathing problems. CF can be life-threatening if not treated. CF is an inherited disease that affects about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. This simple test measures the amount of the chemical chloride, which is part of...
Cystic Fibrosis Genetic Carrier Testing Does this test have other names? Cystic fibrosis genetic testing What is this test? This test is done to see if you carry a defective gene that may cause cystic fibrosis (CF) in your child. A defect in a gene is called a mutation. Genes are made from DNA, and mutations can be found by doing special tests that look at your DNA. CF is a serious disease that causes thick mucus to form in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. CF may be treated, but the disease has no...
Cystatin C Does this test have other names? No. What is this test? This test measures the amount of a protein called cystatin C in your blood. Your body makes cystatin C constantly, and the protein is found in different fluids, including blood, spinal fluid, and breast milk. When your kidneys are healthy, they filter cystatin C out of the blood so it can be excreted in your urine. This is a relatively sensitive blood test to look at your kidney health. Why do I need this test? You may need this test if ...
Cryoglobulin Does this test have other names? Cryocrit, cryoprotein What is this test? This test is done to find out if you have abnormal proteins in your blood. Blood proteins include normal immunoglobulins, or antibodies, like IgG and IgM. But they can also include antibodies linked to autoimmune diseases. These abnormal blood proteins are dissolved in your blood at body temperature. But when you are in a cold environment, they thicken and clump together. This restricts the blood flow to your joints, ...
Cryofibrinogen Does this test have other names? Cryofibrinogenemia, CF What is this test? This test looks for an abnormal protein called cryofibrinogen in your blood plasma. People who have this abnormal protein may get a disorder called cryofibrinogenemia. The disorder rarely causes symptoms. But if it is not treated, it can become life-threatening and lead to stroke, heart attack, gangrene, or other health emergencies. Why do I need this test? You may have this test to find out whether you have cryofi...
Creatinine (Urine) Does this test have other names? Urine creatinine What is this test? This test measures the level of a substance called creatinine in your urine. Creatinine is a waste product that your body makes when you use your muscles. It's also made when your body digests meat. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from your blood, and it leaves your body in your urine. This test can find out whether your kidneys are working normally or to see if treatment for kidney disease is working. Why do I nee...
Creatinine (Blood) Does this test have other names? Serum creatinine, blood creatinine What is this test? This is a blood test that measures how well your kidneys work. Clearing and filtering waste products out of your blood are important kidney functions. Creatinine is a normal waste product that builds up in your blood from using your muscles. Your body produces creatinine at a constant rate all the time, and healthy kidneys remove almost all of this creatinine. By comparing the amount of creatinine i...
Creatinine Clearance Does this test have other names? CRCL, CCT What is this test? This test measures how well your kidneys are working and how well blood is flowing to them. Creatinine is a waste product that comes from normal muscle use and from meat protein in your diet. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from the blood. It then passes out of your body through urine. The creatinine clearance test usually compares the creatinine level in a 24-hour urine sample with the creatinine level in your blood. T...
Creatine Kinase MB/Creatine Kinase Ratio Does this test have other names? Ratio of CK-MB to total CK, cardiac index What is this test? This test measures the amount of creatine kinase (CK), an enzyme, in your blood. It also measures a certain isoenzyme of CK called CK-MB. This is found mostly in the heart. Your body makes 3 forms of CK, including CK-MB. CK is found in the heart, muscles, and other organs including the small intestine, brain, and uterus. If you have a heart attack, injured heart muscle c...
Creatine Kinase MB (Blood) Does this test have other names? CK-MB What is this test? This test measures the amount of an isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK) in your blood. It is called CK-MB. Your body makes 3 forms of CK, including CK-MB. CK is found in the heart, muscles, and other organs. These include the small intestine, brain, and uterus. If you have a heart attack, injured heart muscle cells release CK-MB into your blood. Because many tissues contain CK, high levels of CK can be a sign of a variety...
Creatine Kinase with Isoenzymes (Blood) Does this test have other names? Creatine kinase, creatine phosphokinase with isoenzymes, CK, CPK, CK-MM, CK-MB, CK-BB What is this test? This test is used to find damage to muscles in your body, including your heart muscle. Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in your muscles. Enzymes are proteins that help your body's cells do their jobs. The level of the CK enzymes rises when you have damage to muscle cells in your body. The three types of CK are called isoe...
Creatine Kinase (Blood) Does this test have other names? Creatine phosphokinase, CK, CPK What is this test? This test measures the amount of an enzyme called creatine kinase (CK) in your blood. CK is a type of protein. The muscle cells in your body need CK to function. Levels of CK can rise after a heart attack, skeletal muscle injury, strenuous exercise, or drinking too much alcohol, and from taking certain medicines or supplements. If this test shows that your CK levels are high, you may have muscle o...
Cortisol (Urine) Does this test have other names? Urine free cortisol test What is this test? A urine cortisol test may help in the diagnosis of two fairly uncommon medical conditions: Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease. The test also screens for other diseases that affect your pituitary and adrenal glands. It does so by measuring your urine level of a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands. It helps your body respond to stress, regulate blood sug...
Cortisol (Blood) Does this test have other names? Blood cortisol; plasma cortisol; cortisol, plasma What is this test? A serum cortisol test may help in the diagnosis of two fairly uncommon medical conditions: Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease. The test also screens for other diseases that affect your pituitary and adrenal glands. It does so by measuring your blood level of a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands. It helps your body respond to s...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Does this test have other names? Metabolic panel, CMP, chem 14, chemistry panel, chemistry screen, (formerly SMAC, sequential multiple analyzer chemistry) What is this test? This test is a screening panel of 14 tests that look at your metabolism. Your body gets energy from food through a process called metabolism. The tests in this panel help see how well your liver and kidneys are working. These are two major organs involved in metabolism. These tests also measure your ele...
Complete Blood Count with Differential Does this test have other names? CBC w/ diff What is this test? This panel of tests looks for many illnesses in your blood. These include anemia, infections, and leukemia. It can help see how your overall health is. The test gets a lot of information from your blood sample: The number and types of white blood cells (WBCs). Your body has 5 types of white blood cells. All play a role in fighting infections. High numbers of WBCs, or of a specific type of WBC, may mean...
Complete Blood Count Does this test have other names? CBC What is this test? The complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to screen your overall health and to look for many different illnesses, including anemia, infections, and leukemia. The test extracts a large amount of information from the blood sample you've given, including: The number and types of white blood cells (WBCs). There are 5 types of WBCs. All play a role in fighting infection. High numbers of WBCs, or of a specific type of WBC, ...
Complement C4 (Blood) Does this test have other names? Complement component 4, C4 What is this test? This test measures the amount of C4 proteins in your blood. These proteins are part of your complement system, which plays an important role in your immune system. Its job is to help kill disease-causing bacteria and viruses. It also responds to such invaders with inflammation that protects your body from disease. By measuring complement C4 levels, especially in how they compare with other parts of the c...
Complement C3 (Blood) Does this test have other names? Complement component 3, C3 What is this test? This test measures the amount of C3 proteins in your blood. These proteins are part of your complement system, which plays an important role in your immune system. Its job is to help kill disease-causing bacteria and viruses. It also responds to such invaders with inflammation that protects your body from disease. Complement component C3 is the most important and abundant protein in the complement system...
Cocaine Screen Does this test have other names? Cocaine drug test, toxicology screen, tox screen, substance abuse test, drug-of-abuse test What is this test? A cocaine screen is a test done to find out whether you have used cocaine recently. The test can be done on your urine, saliva, blood, hair, or sweat. It looks for the presence of cocaine or one of its metabolites, or chemicals your body makes to process cocaine. The two most important metabolites of cocaine are benzoylecgonine (ben-zoyl-ECK-oh-nee...
Clostridium Difficile Toxin (Stool) Does this test have other names? C. diff, C. difficile What is this test? This is a test to look at your stool for toxins produced by Clostridium difficile bacteria. Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to many healthy bacteria, and sometimes C. difficile is one of them. But in some cases, taking broad-spectrum antibiotics can upset the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut and cause new or antibiotic-resistant strains of C. difficile to grow out of control. The...
Clonazepam Level (Blood) Does this test have other names? Klonopin blood level What is this test? This test measures the amount of clonazepam in your blood. Clonazepam is a medicine used to treat seizures. It's often prescribed to adults and children who suffer from partial seizures and spasms. It may also be used to treat panic attacks, insomnia and generalized anxiety. It is a type of medicine called a benzodiazepine. Why do I need this test? You may have this test if it's possible you have taken an o...
Clinical Genetic Testing Does this test have other names? Genetic screening, DNA test or testing, chromosomal test, gene testing, DNA-based test What is this test? Genetic testing is usually done to screen newborns, children, or adults for inherited diseases or genes that put them at increased risk for a certain disease. Some parents choose to be screened before or during pregnancy to see whether they are carriers of a certain disease, such as hemophilia. Your genes are like a road map: They hold the bl...
Chromosome Analysis Does this test have other names? Genetic testing, karyotyping What is this test? This test looks for changes, or abnormalities, in the chromosomes that make up your body's DNA, or genetic road map. Your chromosomes are found in the inner part of your cells, called your cell nucleus. They contain all the genes that have been passed down to you from your mother and father. Each person normally has 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell (23 pairs = 46 chromosomes). One of these pairs carr...
Cholinesterase (Blood) Does this test have other names? RBC cholinesterase, true cholinesterase, red cell cholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase What is this test? This test looks for signs of chemical poisoning in your blood. Cholinesterase is an enzyme that helps your nervous system work the way it should. Certain toxic chemicals in the environment can interfere with this enzyme and affect your nervous system. These chemicals include organophosphates and carbamates. They are most often found in insectic...
Cholesterol Does this test have other names? Total blood cholesterol, serum cholesterol What is this test? This test measures the amount of cholesterol in your blood. This helps your healthcare provider figure out your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a substance found in all of your body's cells, where it plays an important role. But your body can have too much cholesterol if you eat the wrong types of foods. These include fried foods and foods with saturated or trans fats. Some health conditions...
Chloride (Urine) Does this test have other names? Urine chloride What is this test? This test measures the amount of chloride in your urine. Your body tries to keep its acid-base (pH) level in balance. But certain conditions can cause an imbalance. If your body tissues become too alkaline, you may get metabolic alkalosis. Alkaline is the opposite of acidic. You can get metabolic alkalosis from taking medicines that make you urinate more (diuretics). It can also happen after you have been vomiting. Or it...
Chloride Does this test have other names? Cl, serum chloride test What is this test? This test will find out how much chloride is in your blood and help your healthcare provider figure out if you may have certain kidney problems. Chloride is one of the ingredients in table salt. But it's also an important mineral in your body. It helps move fluids in and out of your blood cells. When you have an imbalance of chloride, you may start to feel ill. You can lose chloride if you've been vomiting or have diarr...
Chlamydia Trachomatis (Urine) Does this test have other names? No. What is this test? This test looks for Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in a sample of cells collected by your healthcare provider. C. trachomatis bacteria cause chlamydia. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the U.S. The CDC recommends that sexually active women 25 and younger be screened once a year for chlamydia. That's because as many as half of women who get chlamydia don't have any symptoms. Men should ...
Chlamydia Trachomatis (Swab) Does this test have other names? C. trachomatis test, CZ test, chlamydia test What is this test? This test looks for Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in a sample of cells collected by your healthcare provider. C. trachomatis bacteria cause chlamydia. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the U.S. The CDC recommends that sexually active women 25 and younger be screened once a year for chlamydia. That's because as many as half of women who get chlamy...
Chlamydia Pneumoniae (Swab) Does this test have other names? Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) (swab), throat culture, pneumonia testing What is this test? If your healthcare provider suspects you have C. pneumoniae, he or she may do a swab test of your nose or throat to test for it. C. pneumoniae is just one of many strains of bacterial pneumonia that a person can become infected with. Why do I need this test? When you have a bacterial pneumonia such as C. pneumoniae, it can be potentially life-...
Ceruloplasmin (Blood) Does this test have other names? CP What is this test? This test is used to measure how much of a copper-containing protein is in your blood. This test is used to diagnose problems related to copper. These include Wilson disease. Wilson disease is a rare inherited disease that can't be cured. Ceruloplasmin is a protein made in your liver. Ceruloplasmin stores and carries the mineral copper around your body. Ceruloplasmin carries 65% to 90% of the copper found in blood. Copper is vi...
CD4-CD8 Ratio Does this test have other names? CD4/CD8 ratio T-cell test What is this test? This test looks at the ratio of two important types of white blood cells in your blood. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell in your immune system. This test looks at two of them, CD4 and CD8. CD4 cells lead the fight against infections. CD8 cells can kill cancer cells and other invaders. If you have HIV, your CD4 cell count may be low. Without HIV treatment, your number of CD4 cells will likely keep fallin...
CCP Does this test have other names? Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, CCP antibodies, anti-CCP, anticitrullinated peptide antibodies, ACPA What is this test? This blood test checks for an amino acid called citrulline. Citrulline is present when you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA attacks your joints. Citrulline is a byproduct of joint damage. In response, your body often makes antibodies against citrulline. These antibodies are called anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, or anti-CCP, antibodies. Why ...
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