To help determine if you are folate-deficient or vitamin B12-deficient to determine if you are at increased risk of heart attack or stroke to help diagnose a rare inherited disorder called homocystinuria Specimen:A blood sample taken by needle from a vein in the arm sometimes a urine sample in addition to the blood sample When To Get Tested: When your healthcare provider suspects that you have a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency when you have had a heart attack or stroke and do not have traditional risk factors such as unhealthy lipid levels as part of routine newborn screening or when a health practitioner suspects that an infant or young person may have homocystinuria Test Preparation:You may be instructed to fast for 10 to 12 hours prior to this test Normal Test Result: less than 15 micromoles per liter (mcmol/L)

To screen for and help diagnose thyroid disorders to monitor treatment of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism Specimen:A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm or from pricking the heel of an infant When To Get Tested: For screening Newborn screening is widely recommended however there is no consensus within the medical community as to the age adult screening should begin or whether screening should be done For monitoring treatment as directed by your healthcare provider Otherwise when a person has symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and or an enlarged thyroid Test Preparation:None needed however certain medications can interfere with the TSH test so tell your health practitioner about any drugs that you are taking If you take thyroid hormone as treatment for thyroid disease it is recommended that your blood sample be drawn before you take your dose for that day Normal Test Result: from 0.4 mIU/L to 4.0 mIU/L for those with no symptoms of an under- or over-active thyroid

To determine your general health status; to screen for, diagnose, or monitor any one of a variety of diseases and conditions that affect blood cells. A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm or a fingerstick

Liver function tests, also known as liver chemistries, help determine the health of your liver by measuring the levels of proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin in your blood