An endometrial biopsy is a way for your doctor to take a small sample of the lining of the uterus ( endometrium). The sample is looked at under a microscope for abnormal cells. An endometrial biopsy helps your doctor find problems in the endometrium. An endometrial biopsy is sometimes done at the same time as another...

What is healthy aging? Healthy aging means different things to different people. For many people it is being healthy enough to keep doing what they enjoy. How healthy you are as you get older depends on many things. These include your relationships and your family health history. If members of your family have health...

Anoscopy, proctoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy tests allow your doctor to look at the inner lining of your anus, your rectum, and the lower part of the large intestine (colon). These tests are used to look for abnormal growths (such as tumors or polyps), inflammation, bleeding, hemorrhoids, and other conditions (such as...

What is an abnormal Pap test? A Pap test, or Pap smear, is done to look for changes in the cells of the cervix. If your test is abnormal, it means it found some cells on your cervix that don't look normal. Having an abnormal test doesn't mean you have cancer. The chances that you have cancer are very small. What causes...

A reticulocyte count is a blood test that measures how fast red blood cells called reticulocytes are made by the bone marrow and released into the blood. Reticulocytes are in the blood for about 2 days before developing into mature red blood cells. The reticulocyte count rises when there is a lot of blood loss or in...

People who have lupus may develop problems with different organs and systems of the body. These include problems with: The blood. There may be changes in the blood cells, anemia, and changes to organs related to circulation, such as the spleen or lymph nodes. Some people with lupus produce antibodies that attack certain...

Colposcopy lets a doctor look at your vulva, vagina, and cervix. If the doctor sees a possible problem, they can take a small sample of tissue. This is called a biopsy. Then another doctor studies the tissue under a microscope. Most people have this procedure after they have abnormal results from a Pap or human...

Guides through decision to have a breast cancer (BRCA) gene test. Includes reasons your doctor might recommend a BRCA gene test. Lists next steps for a positive test. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Covers how and why a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing is done. Also includes how to prepare, risks, and what the results mean.

This test measures the amount of lead in a person's blood. Lead is a poisonous (toxic) metal that can damage the brain and other parts of the body. A lead test may be done on blood taken from the vein, a finger (finger stick), or the heel (heel stick). A person can be exposed to lead: By eating or drinking...

A vaginal wet mount (sometimes called a vaginal smear) is a test to find the cause of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina and the vulva. Vaginitis is often caused by an infection. The most common infections that can cause vaginitis include bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and trichomoniasis. For the wet...

Discusses blood test to check level of potassium (K) in blood. Includes info on what affects potassium levels in the body such as kidney function, blood pH, and hormones. Explains how and why test is done. Covers what results mean.

The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test is done to check for the hormone hCG in blood or urine. Some hCG tests measure the exact amount. Some just check to see if the hormone is present. HCG is made by the placenta during pregnancy. The test can be used to see if a woman is pregnant. HCG can be found in the blood...

Discusses blood test used to check for thyroid gland problems. Explains how TSH causes thyroid gland to make hormones that help control metabolism. Covers how it is done and test results.