Urology Laboratory Tests
Yolette Langevin
To learn more about your urinary tract system and what is going awry, urologists rely a number of different blood tests. Using a standard procedure for drawing and examining blood, urologists are able to detect certain diseases or cancers. There are three common blood tests used.
This test focuses on detecting inflammation of the prostate, which is used to help determine the underlying cause. PSA tests do not detect cancer on their own. Even though many people think of them as the prostate cancer test, they are merely a way of indicating inflammation levels. If inflammation levels point to a risk of cancer, further tests need to be done for a proper diagnosis.
When evaluating male erectile dysfunction, your urologist will administer a testosterone blood test2. This will give a clear indication of your testosterone levels, which is the cause of a number of erectile dysfunction cases.
Each of these diagnoses will have specific symptoms such as higher white blood cell counts, high protein levels or glucose levels, and the presence of leukoesterase2. Your doctor will be able to better identify any problems that present themselves during a urinalysis.
If instructed that you need a 24-hour urine test, you will need to collect all of the urine you expel over the course of a 24-hour time period2. This allows urologists to determine if your body has normal levels of specific substances, which would indicate healthy kidneys. When things are abnormal, the test helps point urologists in the right direction of certain diseases.
Similarly, urologists also turn to X-ray scans to get a better picture and make accurate diagnoses. There are a few different types of X-ray scans most commonly used for urinary tract issues. They include2:
Having a cystoscopy is a little more invasive. It requires local anesthetic prior to inserting a small telescope through the urethra and into the bladder2. This allows urologists to look around in real time and identify any abnormalities.
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In the realm of healthcare, urology plays a vital role in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system. From routine check-ups to more complex diagnostic procedures, urologic tests are essential tools that healthcare professionals use to assess the health and functioning of these critical systems.
Most appointments consist of a physical exam and other possible blood tests and imaging techniques, depending on the reason for the visit. Urologic tests are not just limited to blood tests. In some cases, urine tests or other analyses may become necessary. Here at Alliance Urology, we want to delve into the other types of urologic tests and how they can help diagnose urologic problems.
A PSA blood test can help detect the underlying cause of prostate inflammation. While these tests cannot diagnose prostate cancer, they can be indicative of high levels of inflammation associated with a risk of prostate cancer. If high levels of inflammation are found, additional tests will likely become necessary.
If the cause of the urologic problem is associated with the kidneys, a creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen test can help assess how the kidneys are functioning through the measurement of creatinine. High levels of creatinine are often indicative of kidney dysfunction, though depending on the ratios of creatinine to blood urea nitrogen, your urologist can likely make a diagnosis.
When men face issues relating to erectile dysfunction, testosterone blood tests can help reveal testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels are a common cause of erectile dysfunction, and urologic tests can help identify this.
Urine cultures allow for a more intensive look to determine the presence of bacteria in the urine. Not only does this test allow for a closer look, but it also allows for antibiotic testing to help determine the best treatment.
To help determine kidney health, you may be instructed to carry out a 24-hour urine test. In these urologic tests, you will need to collect all urine you eliminate in a 24-hour period. This collection will then be analyzed to check for normal levels of specific substances within the urine.
In addition to ultrasounds, urologists may use specific types of X-rays to help check for issues in the urinary tract. For abdominal pain associated with the urinary system, a kidney, ureter, and bladder x-ray may be able to determine the cause. An intravenous pyelogram x-ray uses a dye to help pinpoint problems within the urinary tract. A voiding cystourethrogram can be used to identify problems with the bladder.
A cystoscopy is the insertion of a small telescope through the urethra and into the bladder to search for and diagnose abnormalities and problems. This test is more invasive than the others and requires local anesthesia.
This link leads to the machine-readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage rule and include negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and health care providers. The machine-readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.
Labcorp is dedicated to urology testing, providing comprehensive diagnostic services to support the detection and management of urological conditions. Our laboratory offers a range of tests, including prostate cancer screening, which utilizes advanced biomarkers to identify early signs of prostate malignancy. In addition to performing routine screening, we excel in hereditary cancer diagnostics, employing genetic testing to assess an individual's risk of developing urological cancers based on their family history and genetic predisposition. Our lab also offers a range of companion diagnostics, which are crucial for personalizing treatment plans by identifying which patients are most likely to benefit from specific associated therapies. This tailored approach enables effective and targeted treatment, enhancing patient outcomes in urological health.
VistaSeq Prostate Panel assay is intended for patients with a personal history of prostate cancer or a family history consistent with an inherited cancer syndrome. In addition, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines recommend that patients diagnosed with Grade Group (GG) 1-3 prostate cancers and a suspicious family history should undergo germline testing, and those with GG4 and 5 prostate cancers should be tested as well (source Prostate Cancer. NCCN Guidelines for Patients, Version 2.2021)
NGS-based genomic and immune profiling assay including RNA-seq, TMB, MSI, and PD-L1 IHC. Comprehensive genomic and immune profiling gives a complete picture of a patient's tumor and details specific treatment options in one easy to-interpret report
During puberty (in the teen years), testosterone helps boys develop male features like body and facial hair, deeper voice, and muscle strength. Men need testosterone to make sperm. Testosterone levels generally decrease with age, so older men tend to have low blood testosterone levels.
Some men have low testosterone levels. This is called Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T). Deficiency means that the body does not have enough of a needed substance. Syndrome is a group of symptoms that, together, suggest a disease or health condition.
You also may need TT if you harm or lose your testicles. If your testicles are removed because of a sickness such as cancer, you may need TT. Most men with Low-T (no matter what the cause) will be treated if they have both symptoms of Low-T and blood tests showing Low-T levels. Talk with your doctor if you feel that you may need TT.
TT may help you but it may have adverse (harmful) results. (See discussion of these side effects below.) The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has said that testosterone drug labels should state that there is a risk for heart disease and stroke for some men using testosterone products. All men should be checked for heart disease and stroke before, and periodically while on, TT. The AUA however, on careful review of evidence-based peer review literature, has stated that there is no strong evidence that TT either increases or decreases the risk of cardiovascular events.
The FDA also was concerned when they found that men were being treated for Low-T due only to aging. There is ongoing research to determine more about TT in aging men. Your doctor will talk with you about the benefits and risks of TT and carefully consider how to treat your symptoms.
It is hard to know how many men among us have TD, although data suggest that overall about 2.1% (about 2 men in every 100) may have TD. As few as 1% of younger men may have TD, while as many as 50% of men over 80 years old may have TD. People who study the condition often use different cut-off points for the numbers, so you may hear different numbers being stated.
TD is more common in men who have diabetes or who are overweight. In one research study, 30% of overweight men had Low-T, compared to only 6.4% of those with normal weight. The same study found diabetes to be a risk factor for TD. In another study, 24.5% of men with diabetes had Low-T, compared to 12.6% of those without diabetes.
There are many signs and symptoms of Low Testosterone. Some are more closely related to Low-T levels (specific signs and symptoms). Others may not necessarily be linked (non-specific signs and symptoms). Your doctor will help you make sense of your own situation.
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