WWhhyy l llaabboor rraat ttoor rryy t tteesst ttss aar rree oor rrddeer rreedd??
To screen for disease (screening tests as ESR , CBC)
To confirm a diagnosis
To exclude a disease that is possible but not likely
To aid differential diagnosis, e.g. to distinguish between different forms of jaundice.
To assess the severity of disease, e.g. plasma [urea] or [creatinine] in renal disease.
To determine risk factors for disease as lipid profile
To monitor progress of disease, e.g. plasma glucose to follow of patients with diabetes.
To monitor effectiveness of disease treatment as in case of anticoagulant therapy.
To detect complications or side-effects of drugs e.g. aminotransferase measurements in
patients being treated with hepatotoxic drugs.