Laboratory values in pregnancy. See All Laboratory Values in Pregnancy.
Alpha-Fetoprotein (Serum) During Pregnancy
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is thought to be the fetus's version of albumin. It is produced during the development of the fetus by the yolk sac. In the pregnant woman, AFP is produced by the liver during gestation.
... read more »
Cancer Antigen - 125 (Serum CA) During Pregnancy
Cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) is a protein. The protein is commonly found on cancer cells of the ovary, though it can be noted in other forms of cancer. Patients with ovarian cancer may be tested for CA 125 throughout treatment.
... read more »
Amylase (Serum) During Pregnancy
The enzyme amylase speeds up the process of breaking starches into sugars that can be then used by the body for energy. Food first comes in contact with amylase in the mouth, where digestion begins.
... read more »
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) (Serum) During Pregnancy
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is not as predominant as Immunoglobulin A (IgA) or Immunoglobulin G (IgG), but it is a larger antibody in size. IgM is the first antibody to respond to when an antigen or foreign substance is detected in the body.
... read more »
Cholesterol - HDL (Plasma, Serum) During Pregnancy
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is a type of cholesterol often referred to as good cholesterol. Total cholesterol is made up of several types of cholesterol, but all fall into two main categories ' HDL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
... read more »
Lactate Dehydrogenase - LDH (Serum) During Pregnancy
LDH is found in all tissues of the body so damage to tissues causes more LDH to release into the bloodstream and blood elevations rise.
... read more »
Cholesterol - LDL (Plasma, Serum) During Pregnancy
LDL or low-density lipoprotein is the unhealthy cholesterol everyone is trying to avoid. Cholesterol is necessary for optimal body functioning, but there needs to be a balance between healthy and unhealthy cholesterol.
... read more »
Apolipoprotein A-1 (Serum) During Pregnancy
APOB, or Apolipoprotein B is associated with LDL or bad cholesterol. Apolipoprotein A-1, or APOA1, is just the opposite. APOA1 levels reflect the amount of HDL, high density lipoprotein, in the blood.
... read more »
17-Hydroxyprogesterone (Serum) During Pregnancy
The blood test for 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) is often used as a screening or monitoring tool for patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In some cases the blood test is ordered as part of a series of tests to rule out certain medical conditions.
... read more »
Factor VII (Plasma) During Pregnancy
Factor VII aids the blood clotting process. There are several factors used in healthy clotting. Low or high levels of one or more of the factors can cause excessive bleeding and increase the risk of death from injury.
... read more »
Cholesterol - VLDL (Plasma, Serum) During Pregnancy
Cholesterol is more complex than many patients understand. While low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the most common, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are also part of total cholesterol.
... read more »
Protein C Functional Activity (Plasma) During Pregnancy
Protein C is a glycoprotein that works directly with Protein S to regulate blood clotting. If thromboembolism or deep vein thrombosis has occurred, the Protein C Functional Activity test along with other protein-based blood tests will be ordered within 10 days of the event.
... read more »
Folate (Serum) During Pregnancy
Serum folate is simply the measurement of folate in blood serum. Folate is also known as folic acid or vitamin B. Low folate levels can cause fatigue and increase the risk of neural tube defects.
... read more »
Complement - C4 (Serum) During Pregnancy
Complement C4 is part of the immune system. Closely related to Component C3, C4 is a genetic element coded during the earliest stages of life.
... read more »
Magnesium (Serum) During Pregnancy
Magnesium is consumed via food and excreted by the kidneys. The blood test is commonly ordered if calcium or potassium levels were lower than normal on a previous blood test. High and low magnesium levels could be a sign of an underlying problem.
... read more »
Prolactin (Serum) During Pregnancy
Prolactin is a hormone that originates in the pituitary gland. During
and after pregnancy, the hormone stimulates the production of breast
milk. It also plays an important role in menstruation, fertility and sex
drive.
... read more »
Bicarbonate (Serum) During Pregnancy
Bicarbonate works to buffer pH levels in the body. The buffer helps control pH so blood does not become acidic or basic. Carbon dioxide and bicarbonate are closely related as about 90% of carbon dioxide carried in blood exists as bicarbonate.
... read more »
Total Iron-Binding Capacity - TIBC (Serum) During Pregnancy
TIBC or total iron-binding capacity is a blood test ordered when a patient is thought to have high or low iron levels. If iron levels are higher than normal, TIBC levels will be low. If iron levels are lower than normal, TIBC levels will be high.
... read more »
Cortisol (Plasma, Serum) During Pregnancy
Cortisol is a steroid hormone. The hormone is produced by and released from the adrenal gland. Cortisol levels increase in blood if a patient is taking estrogen or certain steroid medications.
... read more »
Low Neutrophil Count During Pregnancy
The main function of neutrophils is to fight off fungal or bacterial infections. Neutrophil levels appear abnormal on the white blood count test if there is a condition affecting the immune system.
... read more »
Glucose - Fasting (Plasma) During Pregnancy
Fasting glucose is a blood test that requires the patient skip food for at least 12 hours prior to the test. Typically, the test is administered first thing in the morning so the patient can stop about bedtime for the test the following morning.
... read more »
Osmolality (Serum) During Pregnancy
The osmolality test measures the body's ability to make urine, control urine and control water or fluid balance in blood. The most common cause for ordering the osmolality test is low blood sodium levels.
... read more »
Protein S - Total (Plasma) During Pregnancy
Protein S is a type of protein closely associated with vitamin K and clotting. The protein, or specifically glycoprotein, works hand-in-hand with Protein C.
... read more »
Retinol - Vitamin A (Serum) During Pregnancy
Vitamin A consumed from animal sources is known as retinol. Retinol is associated with vision, epithelial cells and synthesis of glycoproteins. Retinol deficiency is rare, especially in developed countries.
... read more »
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (Serum) During Pregnancy
The test for sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels is typically reserved for men. The globulin binds to androgens, or hormones found in men. As men age, testosterone levels tend to fall dramatically, leading to reduced muscle tone, sex drive and energy.
... read more »
3-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test GTT During Pregnancy
The 3-hour glucose tolerance test GTT is used during pregnancy to rule out or diagnose gestational diabetes.
... read more »
Bilirubin - Conjugated, Direct (Serum) During Pregnancy
Bilirubin is a familiar word to new mothers. If bilirubin is not excreted by livers cells, the skin and eyes can take on a yellow color due to the pigment in bilirubin. This condition is known as jaundice.
... read more »
Creatinine (Plasma, Serum) During Pregnancy
Creatinine is responsible for breaking down creatine, which is used by the muscle for growth and recovery. The creatinine blood test does is used to assess kidney health.
... read more »
Aldosterone (Serum or Plasma) During Pregnancy
Aldosterone is a steroid hormone found in the adrenal gland. The steroid works to control potassium and sodium ' having a direct impact on blood pressure. Patients with high blood pressure may be given medications to alter how aldosterone works in the body.
... read more »
Bilirubin - Unconjugated, Indirect (Serum) During Pregnancy
Bile contains an orange pigment known as bilirubin. The liver cells are supposed to excrete this pigment after heme is broken down and biliverdin is reduced (processes of the liver), but that excretion does not always occur.
... read more »
Hemoglobin (Whole Blood) During Pregnancy
Hemoglobin plays a very important role in oxygen transportation. When the lungs have finished oxygenating blood, hemoglobin carries that oxygen to all the tissues of the body.
... read more »
Prealbumin - Transthyretin (Serum) During Pregnancy
The names prealbumin and transthyretin are interchangeable. The test is used to measure the amount of available protein in the body. Critical or chronic illness can cause a decrease in consumed or metabolized dietary protein leading to protein malnutrition.
... read more »
Thyroxine-Binding Globulin (TBG) (Serum) During Pregnancy
Thyroxine-binding globulin (TGB) is a protein that aids in thyroid function. The protein transports hormones produced in the thyroid to all parts of the body. TGB levels will increase during a pregnancy, so elevated numbers may be an indication of pregnancy.
... read more »
Parathyroid Hormone (Serum) During Pregnancy
The parathyroid hormone helps regulate the amount of phosphorus and calcium in the fluid that surrounds human cells. The human body produces the parathyroid prohormone, which is matured and excreted into the blood stream with amino acids.
... read more »
Prothrombin Time (Plasma) During Pregnancy
Prothrombin time is the time it takes for plasma to clot. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood.
... read more »
Cobalamin - Vitamin B12 (Serum) During Pregnancy
Cobalamin is vitamin B12. A vitamin B12 blood test is often used to diagnose certain types of anemia, malnutrition and vitamin malabsorption conditions.
... read more »
D-dimer (Plasma) During Pregnancy
The D-dimer blood test is part of a series of diagnostic tools used to rule out or verify thrombosis. There are multiple types of thrombosis and each presents a different set of symptoms, though some symptoms overlap.
... read more »
Calcium - Total (Serum) During Pregnancy
Calcium is a mineral consumed in food and supplements. The mineral is stored bones where it is used to promote strength and support changes and growth throughout life. There is also free calcium in blood used by cells during normal cellular function.
... read more »
Hematocrit Levels During Pregnancy
When a complete blood count (CBC) is ordered, hematocrit levels are included in the series of blood tests. Hematocrit levels represent red blood cell volume in the given blood sample.
... read more »
Eosinophil Count (Whole Blood) During Pregnancy
Eosinophils are white blood cells that are activated to fight off infections and some allergic diseases. The eosinophil count on a blood test is indicative of current immune system activity.
... read more »
Ceruloplasmin (Serum) During Pregnancy
Ceruloplasmin is a protein that contains copper. Blood tests for ceruloplasmin are often ordered if patients show signs of Wilson Disease. Common symptoms include jaundice, tremors, fatigue and anemia.
... read more »
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (Serum) During Pregnancy
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) helps control the fluid balance outside of cells. In a clinical setting, high levels of ACE may be measured if a patient has high blood pressure, diabetes (type 1) or heart failure.
... read more »
Chloride (Plasma, Serum) During Pregnancy
Chloride is an electrolyte that helps control fluid balance between the interior and exterior of cells. Electrolytes also affect blood pressure, blood volume and the acid/base of bodily fluids.
... read more »
Erthropoietin (Serum) During Pregnancy
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone crucial in the formation of red blood cells. The hormone talks to bone marrow stem cells telling them to produce red blood cells.
... read more »
Iron (Serum) During Pregnancy
The serum iron test simply measures the amount of iron in the blood. Iron is needed to produce red blood cells. The body will store excess iron for use when food sources of iron don't provide enough during any given period.
... read more »
Antithrombin III - Functional (Plasma) During Pregnancy
Antithrombin III is a protein that helps control blood coagulation. The protein stops certain enzymes from working, thus allowing blood to flow properly.
... read more »
Factor V (Plasma) During Pregnancy
Factor V is just one of the many elements that work together for proper blood clotting. If blood does not clot correctly, a patient can bleed excessively from a simple cut, let alone a more serious injury or break in the skin.
... read more »
Protein S Functional Activity (Plasma)
If a clotting event, such as deep vein thrombosis, has occurred or a pregnant patient is showing signs of preeclampsia, a series of protein blood tests may be ordered, including the Protein S Functional Activity test.
... read more »
Transferrin (Serum) During Pregnancy
In terms of blood testing, the transferring and TIBC test measure the same thing ' though the tests are different. Transferrin is a protein that transports iron through the blood stream. TIBC, on the other hand, measures iron ready for binding to transferrin.
... read more »
Urea Nitrogen - BUN (Serum) During Pregnancy
A blood urea nitrogen test is ordered as a diagnostic tool examining liver and/or kidney function. When the liver and kidneys are working properly, BUN levels should be normal.
... read more »