Category: Medical testing

The common glucose screening test drink, often called 'glucola,' contains 50 grams of sugar, the equivalent of more than a dozen sugar cubes. This concentrated, sugary liquid is undeniably sweet, with many patients comparing its flavor to that of a flat, extra-sweet soda or syrupy juice.

A 50g glucose drink, often used in medical tests, contains approximately 200 calories. This value is critical for individuals managing their dietary intake or preparing for medical procedures.

Approximately 3 million people in the U.S. have anemia, a condition that can cause significant fatigue and may be diagnosed with a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test. The simple question, "Does CBC give you energy?" has two very different answers, depending on which meaning of the acronym you are considering.

A potassium blood test measures this vital electrolyte in millimoles per liter (mmol/L), with a normal adult range of 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L. The question, "Is 4% potassium high?," often stems from confusing a blood test result with a food label's Daily Value percentage.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, the typical normal range for blood potassium is between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L for most healthy adults. This means a potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L falls squarely within the healthy, normal range and is generally not a cause for concern.

A 2016 review in the *Journal of the American College of Cardiology* indicated that while fasting may not be necessary for some lipid profiles, it is still key for accurate triglyceride results. Choosing the best dinner to eat the night before blood work is a crucial step for obtaining precise results, particularly for tests that require fasting.

According to several medical institutions, a urine ketone level under 20 mg/dL is typically classified as a "small" or "trace" amount. A reading of 15 mg ketones in urine therefore falls within this lower range, which is often not a cause for immediate alarm but warrants context.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, normal electrolyte levels can vary slightly between labs, but general reference ranges provide a crucial benchmark for health. Knowing what number should your electrolytes be is essential for understanding your body's fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle control.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, most constipation cases are linked to diet and lifestyle factors, highlighting the crucial role food plays in producing a healthy stool. This means that preparing for a stool sample requires careful consideration of what you eat and drink in the days leading up to the test to ensure an accurate and usable specimen.

While there is no formal fasting requirement for a bone density (DXA) scan, consuming certain substances like caffeine can potentially impact the accuracy of your body composition results. This guide addresses the common question: can I drink coffee before bone density testing, and outlines the best practices for preparing for your appointment.