Two main types of pregnancy tests can let you know if you’re pregnant: urine tests and blood tests. Urine tests can be done at home or in a doctor’s office. Many women first choose a home pregnancy test to take about a week after a missed period. These products come with instructions. Follow them closely...Read More

What is the PT and INR test? The PT and INR blood test measures the time it takes your blood to form a clot. Other names for the PT test are prothrombin time and pro time. INR stands for international normalized ratio. Why is this test done? The PT/INR test is usually done when you...Read More

Lung function tests (also called pulmonary function tests, or PFTs) check how well your lungs work. The tests determine how much air your lungs can hold, how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs, and how well your lungs put oxygen into and remove carbon dioxide from your blood. The tests...Read More

A pulse oximeter works by passing a beam of red and infrared light through a pulsating capillary bed. The ratio of red to infrared blood light transmitted gives a measure of the oxygen saturation of the blood. The oximeter works on the principle that the oxygenated blood is a brighter color of red than the...Read More

This test is used to evaluate male fertility, the ability to reproduce. Also called a sperm count, it’s used to measure the amount and quality of seminal fluid (ejaculate). The seminal fluid contains male reproductive cells (sperm) and is normally is expelled through the penis during ejaculation. Seminal fluid can affect factors such as sperm...Read More

Rapid Strep Test for Strep Throat For a rapid strep test, the throat and tonsils are swabbed to collect bacteria from the infected area for testing. The bacteria are analyzed to see whether Group A strep (streptococcal) bacteria are causing the sore throat. A good sample of throat secretions is needed to make sure the...Read More