diagnostic exams

Computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging test that uses x-rays to generate body images that are processed by a computer, such as bones, organs, or tissues. This examination does not cause pain and anyone can perform it, however, pregnant women should preferably do other tests instead of CT scan, such as ultrasound or MRI, because radiation exposure is greater on CT

Bone scintigraphy is an imaging test used most often to identify flashpoints caused by infections, arthritis, fracture, changes in bone blood circulation, evaluation of bone prostheses, or to investigate causes of bone pain, for example . To perform this test, a radiopharmaceutical, such as the Technetium or Gallium, which is a radioactive substance, must be injected into the vein

Examination of the glycemic curve, also called an oral glucose tolerance test, or a TOTG, is an exam that can be ordered by a physician to help diagnose diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, or other pancreatic cells. This test is done by analyzing the blood glucose concentration in the fasted state and after the ingestion of a sugary liquid supplied by the laboratory

Monocytes are a group of cells of the immune system that have the function of defending the body from foreign bodies such as viruses and bacteria. They can be accounted for through blood tests called leukogram or complete blood count, which brings the amount of defense cells in the body. The monocytes are produced in the bone marrow and are few hours circulating in the circulation, and follow to other tissues, where they undergo differentiation process, receiving the name of macrophage, which has different names according to the tissue in which it is found: Kupffer cells, in the liver, microgli

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an imaging test capable of showing the internal structures of the organs and is important for diagnosing various health problems such as aneurysms, tumors, changes in the joints or other injuries to internal organs. To do the test, a large machine is used, which creates the high definition images of the internal organs through the use of a magnetic field, which causes a shake of the molecules of the body, captured by the device and transferred to a computer

Full-body scintigraphy or full-body imaging (PCI) is an imaging examination requested by the physician to investigate tumor localization, disease progression, and metastasis. Radioactive substances, called radiopharmaceuticals, such as iodine-131, octreotide, or gallium-67, are used, depending on the purpose of the scintigraphy, which are administered and absorbed by the organs, emitting a radiation that is detected by the equipment

Calcitonin is a hormone produced in the thyroid, whose function is to control the amount of calcium that circulates in the bloodstream, through effects such as preventing the reabsorption of calcium from the bones, decrease the absorption of calcium by the intestines and increase excretion by the kidneys

Transferrin is a protein mainly produced by the liver and has as its main function to transport the iron to the bone marrow, spleen, liver and muscles, maintaining the proper functioning of the organism. Normal values ​​of transferrin in the blood are: Men: 215 - 365 mg / dL Women: 250 - 380 mg / dL The evaluation of transferrin concentration in the blood should be fasted for 8 to 12 hours, depending on the physician's and the laboratory's orientation, and is usually required together with the iron and ferritin dosage, as well as biochemical and haematological tests, such as the blood c

The vitamin D test aims to check the concentration of vitamin D in the blood, since this vitamin is important to regulate the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Learn more about what vitamin D is for. This test is usually ordered by the physician to monitor replacement therapy with vitamin D or when there are signs and symptoms related to bone decalcification, such as pain and muscle weakness, for example, being most often requested along with the dosage of calcium, PTH and phosphorus in the blood

To assess liver health the doctor may order blood tests, ultrasound, and even a biopsy because they are tests that provide important information about changes in that organ. The liver participates in the digestion and metabolism of food, and in addition, it is through it that pass the medicines ingested, for example

FSH, also known as follicle-stimulating hormone, is produced by the pituitary gland and has as a regular function the production of spermatozoa and the maturation of eggs during their fertile age. In this way, FSH is a hormone linked to fertility and its concentration in the blood helps to identify whether the testicles and ovaries are working properly

Luteinizing hormone, also called LH, is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland and, in women, is responsible for follicle maturation, ovulation, and progesterone production, and plays a key role in women's reproductive capacity. In men, LH is also directly related to fertility, acting directly on the testes and influencing the production of spermatozoa

The TSH test is used to evaluate thyroid function and is usually ordered by the general practitioner or endocrinologist to assess whether the thyroid gland is functioning properly, and in the case of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or following a thyroid differentiation follicular or papillary, for example

To identify the cancer can be requested by the doctor to perform the dosing of tumor markers, which are substances produced by the cells or the tumor itself, such as AFP and PSA, which are elevated in the blood in the presence of certain cancers. Know the signs and symptoms that can indicate cancer. The dosage of tumor markers is important not only to detect cancer, but also to assess tumor development and response to treatment

The medical check-up corresponds to the periodic accomplishment of several clinical, imaging and laboratorial examinations with the objective of evaluating the general state of health and early diagnosis of some disease that has not yet manifested symptoms, for example. The frequency of check-up should be established by the general or average clinician accompanying the patient and varies according to the person's health status, history of illness and illness in the family

The Wood lamp, also called Wood or LW light, is a diagnostic device widely used in dermatology and aesthetics in order to verify the presence of skin lesions and their extension characteristics according to the fluorescence observed when the lesion is exposed to low wavelength UV light. Wood's light lesion analysis should be done in a dark environment and with no visible light to make the diagnosis as accurate as possible, so that the dermatologist can indicate the best treatment option

The dermatological exam is done with the aim of checking the cause of lesions present on the skin and is done by the dermatologist in your office. However, dermatological examination, non-diagnostic, can be done at home. Simply undress yourself completely and with the help of a mirror watch closely the whole body looking for new signs, spots, scars, scaling or itching

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a diagnostic technique that aims to identify the different types of hemoglobin that can be found circulating in the blood. Hemoglobin or Hb is a protein present in the red blood cells responsible for binding to oxygen, allowing transport to the tissues. Learn more about hemoglobin

Ultrasound, also known as ultrasound and ultrasound, is a diagnostic test used to visualize in real time any organ or tissue of the body. When the examination is performed with Doppler, the doctor can observe the blood flow of that region. What is it for Ultrasonography can be indicated for: Investigate abdominal pain, in the skinny or in the back; Diagnose pregnancy or evaluate fetal development; Diagnose diseases of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries; Visualize the structures of muscles, joints, tendons, or To visualize any other structure of the human body

The term phlebotomy refers to the incision in a blood vessel of a catheter for the purpose of administering drugs to patients with difficult venous access or to monitor central venous pressure, or even bleeding, which is an old medical practice performed with iron stores or the number of red blood cells, as in hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera, respectively