Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Positive Ana

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A complete directory of all the tests offered by LifeLabs

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As an essential service, LifeLabs continues to provide diagnostic laboratory testing at many of our Patient Service Centres. For the latest information about how we are redeploying non-essential testing capacity to support this urgent public health need, click here.

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Innovation is the heartbeat of LifeLabs. We pioneer advancements in clinical testing and form partnerships with industry leaders to ensure you and your patients have the diagnostic information you need to make health decisions.

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Diagnosing H. pylori Infection

H. pylori Infection.

The H. pylori stool antigen test is a common test used to accurately diagnose whether you have an H. pylori infection. Detecting H. pylori is essential in identifying the cause of your symptoms and/or ulcers in the absence of more advanced signs. It is also va...

COVID-19 Antibody Testing

COVID-19 Antibody Blood Test

Find out if you've had COVID-19 through an Antibody test.
This blood test detects prior infection, even if you never experienced symptoms.

Reaching a definitive diagnosis of hypertension

24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

Take the guesswork out of your diet

IgG Food Sensitivity Testing

Symptoms associated with food sensitivities develop slowly over time and can create inflammation and contribute to symptoms of a variety of diseases. The RMA FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity test can help identify potential food sensitivities and t...

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

FIT is a safe and painless at-home cancer screening test. FIT checks someone's stool (poop) for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by colon cancer and some pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer over time). W...

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

FIT is a safe and painless stool-based test used for screening people at average risk of developing colorectal cancer. FIT checks for the presence of occult blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer and/or pre-cancerous lesions. When ...

(Omega-3)

Omega-3 Fatty Acid

The Omega-3 Fatty Acid test quantifies the fatty acids present in a sample of a patient's whole blood. Specific levels of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the blood hav...

Helping Naturopathic Doctors Gain a Better View of the Health Status of their Patients

Patient Assessment Panels

Patient Assessment Panels enable you to provide your Naturopathic Doctor with a complete picture of your health. Now you can access the blood work required to make informed decisions on how to be your healthiest you!
1. Convenient
2. Comprehensive <...

Personalized Risk Assessment of Prostate Cancer

SelectMDx Testing

Learning you have elevated PSA can be alarming news, but elevated PSA does not mean you have clinically significant disease and require a biopsy or treatment. SelectMDx is a novel decision support tool and provides your urologist with additional important info...

Fecal Calprotectin Testing

Differentiating Between
IBS and IBD

Canada has one of the highest incidence and prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the world. With symptoms of these two conditions appearing similar, Fecal Calprotectin testing can provide an accurate diagnosis in many ...

QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus)

QUANTIFERON-TB GOLD Plus (FOR TB SCREENING)

QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) is a simple blood test that aids in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes tuberculosis (TB). Like its predecessor, QFT-Plus is an interferon gamma release assay, commonly known as an IGRA, ...

Know Your Risk for Heart Attacks

PULS (Protein Unstable Lesion Signature Test) Cardiac Test™

The second leading cause of death among Canadians, heart attacks are often a silent killer with no signs or symptoms before they strike. Often resulting from coronary heart disease, heart attacks can be predicted and even prevented if you know and manage your ...

Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

One in seven men in Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The third leading cause of cancer death, when prostate cancer is detected early, the more likely it can be successfully treated.

Determine your risk of bone fractures

Osteoporosis

Known as the "silent thief", osteoporosis is responsible for the loss of bone mass without obvious symptoms until a bone is broken. By knowing your risk through a Serum CTX Test, you can prevent, delay or reduce bone loss.

Early Detection of Cervical Cancer

HPV Testing

About 75% of sexually active women will get a least one HPV infection in their lifetime. With HPV the primary cause of cervical cancer, the HPV test detects the presence of high-risk HPV strain(s).

Diagnosing Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease can arise at any age creating damage to your intestines and starving your body of critical nutrients. With a range of symptoms commonly associated with other conditions, knowing if you are celiac, or simply have a gluten allergy or intolerance, ...

Detecting Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anti-CCP

The daily pain, stiffness and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis can go undiagnosed for months causing permanent damage to your body. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis at its earliest stages can prevent damage and improve long-term quality of life.

Fertility Test

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)

With one in six couples across Canada experiencing difficulty in becoming pregnant, AMH levels can provide valuable insight into predicting a response for IVF treatment.

Vitamin Levels

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus and is essential
for proper growth and healthy teeth and bones throughout your life.

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LifeLabs is your partner in diagnosing and managing all your patients' health care needs. We are leading the development of innovative test solutions.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a protein produced by granulosa cells in ovarian follicles. A blood test for AMH is most commonly used to assess the reserve of ovarian follicles and to predict response to controlled ovarian stimulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF). AMH levels circulating in blood may be used to:

  • predict age of menopause
  • confirm diagnosis of premature ovarian failure
  • predict likelihood of IVF success. (AMH levels correlate positively with number of retrieved oocytes1 and low AMH levels predict a lower likelihood of follicle response.
  • assess risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) caused by exaggerated response to gonadotropin treatment
  • help diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Anti-CCP

Detecting Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Anti-CCP test is a blood-based immunological test that detects the presence of antibodies directed against the body's cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP). These antibodies are frequently detected in the blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients. The Anti-CCP test can diagnose the disease at a very early stage, sometimes years before the development of clinical symptoms.

An Anti-CCP test may be ordered together with a rheumatoid factor (RF) test and JOINTstat to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess the severity and probable course of the disease. Anti-CCP may also be ordered to help evaluate patients at high risk of developing RA, or as a follow-up test to a negative RF test when clinical signs and symptoms of RA are present.

Celiac

Diagnosing Celiac Disease

Celiac disease occurs in about 1% of Canadians and symptoms can vary dramatically and easily be mistaken for food allergies or intolerance. We offer a combination of two tests that measure the amount of the IgA class (immunoglobulin A) and IgG class (immunoglobulin G) autoantibodies.

  • Tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG): IgA class is the primary test ordered to screen for celiac disease. It is the most sensitive and specific blood test for celiac disease and is the test recommended by the Canadian Celiac Association.
  • Deamidated Gliadin IgG antibodies: Around 2-3% of people with Celiac disease have an IgA deficiency, which can lead to a false negative result of the tTG, IgA test. This is when a test to measure IgG is recommended.
HPV

Early Detection of Cervical Cancer

Persistent infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the principal cause of cervical cancer and its precursor cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). There are more than 118 different types of HPV and approximately 40 different HPVs that can infect the human anogenital mucosa. However, only a subset of these types is considered high-risk for the development of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions.

HPV testing at LifeLabs is done using Roche Cobas® HPV assay, which detects the presence of 14 high risk HPV types, and specifically identifies HPV16 and HPV18.

Osteoporosis Serum CTX

Detecting Osteoporosis

Serum C-telopeptide (CTX) is commonly used for diagnosing and monitoring patients with osteoporosis. This test measures the amount of bone turnover products circulating in the bloodstream by detecting the C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen – a protein component of bone.

Serum CTX can detect clinically-relevant change in bone resorption that occurred over as little as a few months, unlike bone mineral density (BMD) radiologic tests which require several years of bone loss to generate a measurable output. Consequently CTX is able to provide better guidance for treatment plans. Serum CTX is the most established test of bone breakdown used in clinical trials of osteoporosis drugs. In combination with BMD test, Serum CTX test may be used to enhance the estimation of the future risk of bone fractures.

PSA

Early Prostate Cancer Detection

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio screening test measures the total PSA level and free PSA levels in the blood. The percentage of measured free PSA is useful in assessing the risk of prostate cancer in patients with borderline or moderately increased total PSA. When combined with your complete clinical assessment, it can help determine whether a follow-up prostate biopsy is required.

In addition to early prostate cancer detection, PSA ratio tests can be used to:

  • predict a prognosis (outcome) for prostate cancer
  • predict if cancer has spread outside the prostate
  • plan treatment for prostate cancer
  • monitor the efficacy of prostate cancer treatments
  • if cancer has reoccurred
PULS

Knowing the Risk for Heart Attacks

The PULS test (Protein Unstable Lesion Signature Test) measures the most clinically-significant protein biomarkers that measure the body's immune system response to arterial injury. These injuries lead to the formation and progression of cardiac lesions which may become unstable and rupture, leading to a cardiac event. A PULS test may also be used in conjunction with a cholesterol test for a more accurate picture of your heart health.

PULS is just one of the many tests we offer to assist healthcare providers in risk characterization and ongoing therapeutic monitoring of patients with cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin D

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test

The 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D test is a simple blood test and the best way to monitor Vitamin D levels. The test is also known as the 25-OH Vitamin D test and the calcidiol 25-hydroxycholecalcifoerol test. This test should be ordered if there are clinical indications of vitamin D deficiencies including if the patient has conditions commonly associated with vitamin D deficiencies.

How do I get a medical consult on the results?

The Medical/Scientific staff at LifeLabs welcomes consultations from all healthcare providers regarding:

  • general information about laboratory testing (utilization issues, appropriate tests to order)
  • the interpretation of specific results specific
  • questions or problems with testing

More information

I ordered a blood film examination along with the CBC, but the blood film was not done. Why did this occur?

The laboratory has defined a number of criteria for a blood film examination based on the CBC results. If these criteria are not met, then a blood film will not be done.

My patient's CBC showed platelet clumping and a platelet count could not be done. Is there a way to obtain a platelet count?

Most platelet clumping occurs in EDTA collected specimens. To obtain a platelet count, specifically order another CBC to be done on a citrated specimen. This will often allow for a platelet count to be determined.

My patient's CBC was suggestive of thalassemia. What other test(s) can be done to make a definitive diagnosis of alpha or beta thalassemia trait?

Hemoglobin fractionation (Hemoglobin electrophoresis) will allow for a diagnosis of Beta-Thalassemia trait , but a definitive diagnosis of alpha thalassemia trait requires genetic testing.

I have received a report that states the result is ">" (greater than) or "<" (less than). What does this mean and why I can't obtain a numerical result?

Laboratory methods can accurately report results within specified ranges which have been confirmed for each test. The ">" or "<" on a report indicates that the concentration in the sample is either greater than or less than the measureable limits of that test. If the result is clinically abnormal it will be flagged as either "HI" or "LO".

Why is timing of sample collection important for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)?

Sometimes the appropriate time for taking a TDM sample is immediately prior to the next dose when the drug concentration is at its minimum (trough concentration). Sometimes, a sample collected immediately after drug administration (peak concentration) may be required.  Evaluation of the clinical significance of the test result therefore depends on knowledge of the time when the sample was drawn.

I have ordered macroprolactin. Why is monomeric prolactin reported?

Knowing the level of monomeric (active) prolactin in a sample helps interpret the clinical significance of the macroprolactin result.  The procedure for measuring macroprolactin actually requires determination of the monomeric prolactin result.

Why are potassium results sometimes spuriously high?

Among the likely causes of a spuriously high potassium are challenges with sample collection, time to centrifugation and sample transportation issues.  Clenching your fist before or during sample collection can also contribute to spuriously high potassium results.

I had hepatitis testing done at both LifeLabs (LL) and at Public Health Laboratories (PHL) and the results are different. Why?

PHL and LL use different methods for hepatitis testing and sometimes results from these two methods can and will differ.  We usually recommend retesting.  If the repeat results also differ you can consult our Medical Scientific team.

Why did my Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test report state negative but included positive for a cytoplasmic pattern?

The test for ANAs can also detect non-nuclear (cytoplasmic) autoantibodies.  Where no ANA is detected but we observe a cytoplasmic pattern we have to indicate "negative" for ANA but best practice demands that we report the presence of these cytoplasmic autoantibodies.

When I order a Broad Spectrum Toxicology screen do I need to list specific drugs of interest on the requisition?

No.  All drugs included in the BST menu will be tested with each BST screen. Only drugs detected above the reporting cut off will be reported.

My patient is prescribed an opioid drug (hydromorphone) but it was not detected by urine drug screen for opiates. Does this mean he/she is not taking the medication?

This could be one of the answers, but there are other possibilities.  For example the opiate drug screen test has poor cross-reactivity with this drug and so may not detect it.  Pre-analytical error such as sample misidentification is another possibility.  Contact one our Medical/Scientific staff for further assistance.

Can the opiate urine drug screen detect all opioids and opiates?

The opiate screen can detect natural opiates such as codeine and morphine. Cross-reactivity is poor with semi-synthetic opiates such as hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxycodone.  In addition, the test will not detect any of the synthetic opioids (i.e. fentanyl, tramadol, meperidine), methadone, or buprenorphine.

1 ) How do I get a medical consult on the results?

The Medical/Scientific staff at LifeLabs welcomes consultations from all healthcare providers regarding:

  • general information about laboratory testing (utilization issues, appropriate tests to order)
  • the interpretation of specific results specific
  • questions or problems with testing

More information

1 ) I ordered a blood film examination along with the CBC, but the blood film was not done. Why did this occur?

The laboratory has defined a number of criteria for a blood film examination based on the CBC results. If these criteria are not met, then a blood film will not be done.

2 ) My patient's CBC showed platelet clumping and a platelet count could not be done. Is there a way to obtain a platelet count?

Most platelet clumping occurs in EDTA collected specimens. To obtain a platelet count, specifically order another CBC to be done on a citrated specimen. This will often allow for a platelet count to be determined.

3 ) My patient's CBC was suggestive of thalassemia. What other test(s) can be done to make a definitive diagnosis of alpha or beta thalassemia trait?

Hemoglobin fractionation (Hemoglobin electrophoresis) will allow for a diagnosis of Beta-Thalassemia trait , but a definitive diagnosis of alpha thalassemia trait requires genetic testing.

1 ) I have received a report that states the result is ">" (greater than) or "<" (less than). What does this mean and why I can't obtain a numerical result?

Laboratory methods can accurately report results within specified ranges which have been confirmed for each test. The ">" or "<" on a report indicates that the concentration in the sample is either greater than or less than the measureable limits of that test. If the result is clinically abnormal it will be flagged as either "HI" or "LO".

2 ) Why is timing of sample collection important for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)?

Sometimes the appropriate time for taking a TDM sample is immediately prior to the next dose when the drug concentration is at its minimum (trough concentration). Sometimes, a sample collected immediately after drug administration (peak concentration) may be required.  Evaluation of the clinical significance of the test result therefore depends on knowledge of the time when the sample was drawn.

3 ) I have ordered macroprolactin. Why is monomeric prolactin reported?

Knowing the level of monomeric (active) prolactin in a sample helps interpret the clinical significance of the macroprolactin result.  The procedure for measuring macroprolactin actually requires determination of the monomeric prolactin result.

4 ) Why are potassium results sometimes spuriously high?

Among the likely causes of a spuriously high potassium are challenges with sample collection, time to centrifugation and sample transportation issues.  Clenching your fist before or during sample collection can also contribute to spuriously high potassium results.

5 ) I had hepatitis testing done at both LifeLabs (LL) and at Public Health Laboratories (PHL) and the results are different. Why?

PHL and LL use different methods for hepatitis testing and sometimes results from these two methods can and will differ.  We usually recommend retesting.  If the repeat results also differ you can consult our Medical Scientific team.

6 ) Why did my Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test report state negative but included positive for a cytoplasmic pattern?

The test for ANAs can also detect non-nuclear (cytoplasmic) autoantibodies.  Where no ANA is detected but we observe a cytoplasmic pattern we have to indicate "negative" for ANA but best practice demands that we report the presence of these cytoplasmic autoantibodies.

7 ) When I order a Broad Spectrum Toxicology screen do I need to list specific drugs of interest on the requisition?

No.  All drugs included in the BST menu will be tested with each BST screen. Only drugs detected above the reporting cut off will be reported.

8 ) My patient is prescribed an opioid drug (hydromorphone) but it was not detected by urine drug screen for opiates. Does this mean he/she is not taking the medication?

This could be one of the answers, but there are other possibilities.  For example the opiate drug screen test has poor cross-reactivity with this drug and so may not detect it.  Pre-analytical error such as sample misidentification is another possibility.  Contact one our Medical/Scientific staff for further assistance.

9 ) Can the opiate urine drug screen detect all opioids and opiates?

The opiate screen can detect natural opiates such as codeine and morphine. Cross-reactivity is poor with semi-synthetic opiates such as hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxycodone.  In addition, the test will not detect any of the synthetic opioids (i.e. fentanyl, tramadol, meperidine), methadone, or buprenorphine.

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Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Positive Ana

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