Testing

Chromium and cobalt blood tests are used to monitor exposure to these elements. Both of these elements are naturally occurring and widely distributed in the environment. Previously, serum samples were collected and used to monitor patients with metal-on-metal implants, but serum can easily be contaminated during the harvesting and separation of the serum from the cellular blood components causing incorrect results. By using the new EDTA anticoagulated whole-blood test, which is collected in a trace element tube instead of using serum, the risk of contamination is significantly reduced.

In September 2018, Mayo Medical Laboratories announced two new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

In August 2018, Mayo Medical Laboratories announced one new test along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

Many patients may have flare-ups of their disease, or they may stop responding to treatment. In these situations, the clinician may choose to increase the dose administered or recommend more frequent injections. One cause of decreased response to treatment is the appearance of anti-drug antibodies or “immunogenicity.”

Genetic testing is like security-camera video footage of a break-in, providing essential clues to identify a culprit. In certain cancers, the "culprit" might be a rearrangement in a person's DNA, which genomic testing can capture. Mayo Clinic has developed a novel group of clinical tests that zoom in on a person's genome to characterize chromosomal rearrangements.

In July 2018, Mayo Medical Laboratories announced five new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

In June 2018, Mayo Medical Laboratories announced three new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

High-sensitivity troponin T is a new assay recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay is most often used to evaluate patients with possible acute ischemic heart disease, but it also has a variety of uses in the more chronic setting.

In April 2018, Mayo Medical Laboratories announced two new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

In March 2018, Mayo Medical Laboratories announced fifteen new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

In February 2018, Mayo Medical Laboratories announced two new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, but most people haven’t heard of it until they or someone they know is diagnosed with the disease. March is Myeloma Action Month—a time to focus attention on the fight against multiple myeloma.

In January 2018, Mayo Medical Laboratories announced five new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.