Testing Guides
Plain-language LabTestCenters guides to frequently ordered panels.
Allergy Panel Testing: What It Measures and How to Understand Results
Learn what an allergy panel measures, which allergens it commonly includes, how results are interpreted, and when testing may be appropriate.
Read guideAutoimmune and ANA Testing: A Complete Guide to Antinuclear Antibody Tests
Learn how ANA testing is used in the evaluation of autoimmune conditions, what a positive or negative result means, and how to interpret antinuclear antibody test results with your clinician.
Read guideBlood Test Guide: Purpose, Types, Preparation, and Reading Results
Learn what blood tests are, how they are used, how to prepare, and how to read lab results. A factual, non-salesy guide to common blood work.
Read guideCBC and Anemia: How a Complete Blood Count Helps Evaluate Low Hemoglobin
A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that measures red blood cells, hemoglobin, and related indices. Learn how CBC results, including MCV and RDW, are used to evaluate anemia.
Read guideCardiac Markers: What Lab Tests Reveal About Heart Health
Learn what cardiac markers are, which blood tests measure them, and how results help clinicians evaluate heart muscle injury and cardiovascular risk.
Read guideDrug Testing: How Laboratory Panels Work and What Results Mean
Learn how laboratory drug testing works, including specimen types, detection windows, screening versus confirmation, and how to interpret results.
Read guideGlucose and A1C Testing: What These Metabolic Markers Mean
Learn how glucose and A1C tests differ, what the results measure, and how to interpret them according to widely used clinical reference ranges.
Read guideHormone Panel Testing: What It Measures and How to Interpret Results
Learn what a hormone panel measures, common tests included, how to prepare, and how to interpret results from authoritative health sources.
Read guideInflammation and ESR: A Guide to Lab Testing
Learn about inflammation, what an ESR lab test measures, how results are interpreted, and when testing may be useful.
Read guideIron and Anemia: How Lab Tests Help Identify and Monitor Iron-Related Blood Disorders
Learn how iron levels relate to anemia, which lab tests evaluate iron status, and how results guide interpretation and monitoring of iron-deficiency and other anemias.
Read guideKidney Function Testing: Understanding BUN, Creatinine, and eGFR
Learn how kidney function is evaluated with laboratory tests such as BUN, creatinine, and eGFR, what the results mean, and when testing may be appropriate.
Read guideLipid Panel Guide: What Cholesterol Test Results Mean
A lipid panel measures cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Learn what each component means, how results are interpreted, and when testing is recommended.
Read guideLiver Function Testing: ALT, Bilirubin, and Related Lab Tests
A factual guide to liver function lab testing, including ALT, AST, bilirubin, and other markers used to assess liver health, with reference ranges and testing considerations.
Read guideMetabolic Panel Testing: A Complete Guide to CMP and BMP
Learn what a metabolic panel measures, how basic and comprehensive metabolic panels differ, what the results can indicate, and how to prepare for testing.
Read guideSTD Panel Testing: What the Tests Cover and How to Prepare
Learn what an STD panel includes, which infections are commonly tested, how sample collection works, and how to interpret results.
Read guideThyroid Panel Testing: What the Tests Measure and How to Read Results
Learn what a thyroid panel measures, including TSH, T4, T3, and thyroid antibodies, plus how to interpret results and when testing may be appropriate.
Read guideTumor Markers: What Lab Tests Can and Cannot Tell You
Learn what tumor markers are, how they are used in cancer screening, diagnosis, and monitoring, and their limitations. This guide covers common tumor marker tests and what results may mean.
Read guideVitamin Panel Testing: What It Measures and How to Understand Results
Learn what a vitamin panel measures, why it may be ordered, how to prepare, and how to interpret results from authoritative health sources.
Read guideReady to get tested? Examine the included markers, read the collection notes, and reserve the panel with the LabTestCenters partner today.
Order TestsReviewed by the LabTestCenters Editorial Team
The LabTestCenters editorial team reviews laboratory panels against published reference material before publication.