TSH (THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE) IS A HORMONE PRODUCED BY THE PITUITARY GLAND THAT REGULATES THYROID FUNCTION. IT STIMULATES THE THYROID GLAND TO PRODUCE THYROID HORMONES, WHICH CONTROL METABOLISM, BODY TEMPERATURE, AND HEART RATE. ABNORMAL TSH LEVELS CAN INDICATE THYROID DISORDERS SUCH AS HYPERTHYROIDISM (OVERACTIVE THYROID) OR HYPOTHYROIDISM (UNDERACTIVE THYROID). BY MEASURING TSH, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS CAN DIAGNOSE AND MONITOR THYROID CONDITIONS.

THIS TEST MEASURES THE LEVEL OF IGM ANTIBODIES IN YOUR BLOOD THAT TARGET PHOSPHOLIPIDS, A TYPE OF FAT MOLECULE. THESE ANTIBODIES CAN INTERFERE WITH BLOOD CLOTTING, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO COMPLICATIONS LIKE BLOOD CLOTS, MISCARRIAGES, OR STROKES. HIGH LEVELS OF IGM PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES MAY INDICATE AN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER CALLED ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME (APS).

PROTHROMBIN TIME (PT) STUDIES ASSESS YOUR BLOODS CLOTTING ABILITY. IT MEASURES HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR A BLOOD CLOT TO FORM. THIS TEST IS ESSENTIAL FOR DIAGNOSING BLEEDING DISORDERS, MONITORING ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY LIKE WARFARIN, AND EVALUATING LIVER FUNCTION. BY ANALYZING CLOTTING FACTORS, PT HELPS DETERMINE IF YOUR BLOOD CLOTS TOO QUICKLY OR TOO SLOWLY, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF BLEEDING OR BLOOD CLOTS.

CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES ARE USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING PATIENTS WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF THROMBOSIS, RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS AND PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME. CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGG IS THE MOST SENSITIVE BUT THE LEAST SPECIFIC ANTIBODY.

CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES ARE USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING PATIENTS WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF THROMBOSIS, RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS AND PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME. CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGM IS LESS SENSITIVE BUT MORE SPECIFIC THAN CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGG.

A TORCH panel IgG & IgM test screens for antibodies against a group of infectious agents that can harm pregnant women and their unborn babies. These infections include Toxoplasmosis, Other infections (such as syphilis, varicella-zoster virus, parvovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus. By detecting IgG and IgM antibodies, the test helps determine if a woman has had a past infection (IgG) or an active infection (IgM), aiding in assessing the risk of transmission to the fetus and guiding appropriate prenatal care.

TESTING FOR PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES IS INDICATED IN CASES OF UNEXPLAINED ARTERIAL / VENOUS THROMBOSIS, PREGNANCY WITH UNEXPLAINED FETAL DEATHS, SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS, PRESENCE OF UNEXPLAINED CUTANEOUS CIRCULATORY DISTURBANCE LIKE LIVIDO RETICULARIS AND PRESENCE OF SYSTEMIC RHEUMATIC DISEASE LIKE LE. THIS TEST IS ALSO USED IN CASES OF UNEXPLAINED THROMBOCYTOPENIA, HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA & NON-BACTERIAL THROMBOTIC ENDOCARDITIS.

The Lupus Anticoagulant by dRVVT (dilute Russell's viper venom time) test is a coagulation assay used to detect the presence of lupus anticoagulants (LA), which are a type of antiphospholipid antibodies. Despite their name, these antibodies are not typically associated with bleeding disorders or systemic lupus erythematosus and are in fact linked to an increased risk of blood clots (thrombosis). The dRVVT test works by using a diluted venom that directly activates Factor X of the coagulation cascade. A prolonged clotting time in the initial screening phase suggests the presence of an inhibitor. This is followed by a confirmatory test using an excess of phospholipids. If the prolonged clotting time corrects (shortens) in the confirmatory step, it indicates that the inhibitor is phospholipid-dependent, which is a characteristic of lupus anticoagulants.