Lab report names starting with P

Abbreviations

• p-ANCAp-ANCA (perinuclear) TiterA microscope test for antibodies that make white blood cells glow around the nucleus. It is linked to vasculitis, ulcerative colitis and some autoimmune liver conditions.
• P-MNMetanephrine, Free, PlasmaMeasures free metanephrine, a breakdown product of adrenaline, in a blood sample. Doctors use it to look into adrenal gland tumors.
• P-NMNNormetanephrine, Free, PlasmaMeasures free normetanephrine, a breakdown product of norepinephrine, in a blood sample. Doctors use it to look into adrenal gland tumors.
• p-tau181p-tau181 (Phosphorylated Tau 181)A form of tau protein in blood plasma. A result at or below the lab's cutoff makes amyloid changes less likely; a result above it calls for more testing.
• p-tau217p-tau217 (Phosphorylated Tau 217)A form of tau protein in blood plasma. Higher levels are linked to amyloid build-up in the brain, and each lab's method has its own cutoffs.
• p-tau217/Aβ42Plasma p-tau217 / Abeta42 Ratio (Lumipulse)A calculated ratio of two plasma proteins, p-tau217 divided by amyloid beta 42. A higher ratio makes amyloid build-up in the brain more likely.
• P1NPP1NP (Procollagen Type 1 N-Terminal Propeptide)A blood marker of how fast new bone is being built. It is mostly used to follow bone treatment, not to screen healthy people.
• P4ProgesteroneA hormone made after ovulation that prepares the uterus for a pregnancy. A mid-luteal level is often used to check whether ovulation happened.
• P5PVitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate)Measures pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, to see how much B6 your body has available.
• PABPrealbumin (Transthyretin)A protein made by the liver that carries thyroid hormone and a vitamin A complex. It falls with inflammation, so it is a weak guide to nutrition on its own.
• PACAldosteroneA hormone from the adrenal glands that helps your kidneys hold on to salt and water and release potassium. It helps control blood pressure.
• PAC/PRAAldosterone / Renin Activity Ratio (ARR)A calculated ratio of aldosterone to plasma renin activity. Clinicians use it as a first step when looking into primary aldosteronism in people with high blood pressure.
• PaCO2Arterial pCO2How much carbon dioxide is dissolved in your arterial blood. It shows how well your breathing clears this waste gas.
• PAF-AHLp-PLA2 ActivityHow active an enzyme is that travels mostly on LDL particles and is found in artery plaque. Higher activity is linked to higher heart risk, but it is an add-on test.
• PaO2Arterial pO2How much oxygen is dissolved in your arterial blood. It shows how well your lungs move oxygen into your blood.
• PbLead, BloodMeasures lead in your blood, the standard test for recent lead exposure. Most people in the US have very low levels.
• Pb/CrLead/Creatinine Ratio, UrineLead in a urine sample, shown per gram of creatinine so the result is not thrown off by how dilute your urine is.
• PbBLead, BloodMeasures lead in your blood, the standard test for recent lead exposure. Most people in the US have very low levels.
• PBFPeripheral Blood Smear InterpretationA written description of how your blood cells look under a microscope. Labs add it when a CBC result needs a closer look.
• PBSPeripheral Blood Smear InterpretationA written description of how your blood cells look under a microscope. Labs add it when a CBC result needs a closer look.
• PCProtein C ActivityMeasures how well protein C works. Protein C is a natural blood thinner made in the liver that helps keep your blood from clotting too easily.
• PCPUrine Phencyclidine (PCP) ScreenA yes-or-no urine test for PCP (phencyclidine). A positive is a first-step result, and several common medicines can cause false positives.
• PCTProcalcitonin (PCT)A protein that rises in serious bacterial infections. Clinicians use it with other findings, mostly in hospital, to judge severity and guide treatment.
• PCVHematocritThe share of your blood made up of red blood cells, shown as a percent. It usually moves together with hemoglobin.
• PDWPlatelet Distribution Width (PDW)A measure of how much the sizes of your platelets vary. It is a minor extra on some blood counts, and analyzers report it on different scales.
• PDW-SDPlatelet Distribution Width (PDW)A measure of how much the sizes of your platelets vary. It is a minor extra on some blood counts, and analyzers report it on different scales.
• PEPSPEP Interpretation (Serum Protein Electrophoresis)A written summary of your serum protein electrophoresis pattern: for example a normal pattern, a monoclonal spike, or a broad rise or fall in one protein group.
• PGMProthrombin G20210A (Factor II)A DNA test for a common inherited change in the F2 gene that lets blood clot a little more easily. Most people who carry it never have a problem clot.
• pHaArterial Blood pHHow acidic or basic your arterial blood is. The body holds it in a very narrow range, so small shifts matter.
• PHBPhenobarbitalMeasures phenobarbital, a long-acting seizure medicine, in your blood. It helps your team see whether your dose gives a steady level in the usual range.
• PhePhenylalanineMeasures phenylalanine, an amino acid from protein foods, and is mostly used to follow phenylketonuria (PKU), which is usually found at birth.
• PhenoAgePhenoAge (Phenotypic Age)A research score that combines nine routine blood tests and your age into the age your body's chemistry most resembles.
• PhenoAgeAccelPhenoAge AccelerationThe gap, in years, between your PhenoAge and your calendar age. Below zero means your blood tests resemble a younger person's; above zero, an older person's.
• PHIProstate Health Index (PHI)A calculated score that combines total PSA, free PSA and p2PSA to estimate how likely a biopsy is to find prostate cancer when total PSA is mildly raised.
• PhosPhosphorus (Phosphate)Phosphorus is a mineral that builds bones and powers cells. Its blood level mostly reflects your kidneys, parathyroid glands, vitamin D and diet.
• PHTPhenytoin (Total)Measures the total amount of phenytoin (Dilantin), a seizure medicine, in your blood. Your prescriber uses it to check your dose.
• pHvVenous Blood pHHow acidic or basic your blood is, measured in a sample from a vein. It runs a little lower than the arterial pH.
• PINPP1NP (Procollagen Type 1 N-Terminal Propeptide)A blood marker of how fast new bone is being built. It is mostly used to follow bone treatment, not to screen healthy people.
• PLA2RAnti-PLA2R Antibody (Phospholipase A2 Receptor)Antibodies against a protein on the kidney's filter cells. A positive result is strongly linked to primary membranous nephropathy, a cause of protein leaking into the urine.
• PLA2R AbAnti-PLA2R Antibody (Phospholipase A2 Receptor)Antibodies against a protein on the kidney's filter cells. A positive result is strongly linked to primary membranous nephropathy, a cause of protein leaking into the urine.
• PLPVitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate)Measures pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, to see how much B6 your body has available.
• PLTPlatelet CountThe number of platelets, the small blood cells that help your blood clot, in a sample of your blood.
• Plt EstPlatelet Estimate (Smear)A quick check of how many platelets are on a blood smear, reported as decreased, adequate or increased. It double-checks the machine's count.
• Plt MorphPlatelet MorphologyA written description of how your platelets look under the microscope, such as size, color and clumping.
• pNfLNeurofilament Light Chain (NfL)A protein released when nerve cells are injured. Levels rise with age, so labs use age-based ranges, and a high result does not point to one cause.
• PO4Phosphorus (Phosphate)Phosphorus is a mineral that builds bones and powers cells. Its blood level mostly reflects your kidneys, parathyroid glands, vitamin D and diet.
• POPEthPEth 16:0/18:1 (Phosphatidylethanol)A blood marker that forms only when alcohol is in your blood, showing alcohol use over roughly the past two to four weeks.
• PP glucoseGlucose (2-Hour Postprandial)Your blood glucose about 2 hours after you start a normal meal. It shows how well your body handles the sugar and starch from food.
• PP2BSGlucose (2-Hour Postprandial)Your blood glucose about 2 hours after you start a normal meal. It shows how well your body handles the sugar and starch from food.
• PPBSGlucose (2-Hour Postprandial)Your blood glucose about 2 hours after you start a normal meal. It shows how well your body handles the sugar and starch from food.
• PPGGlucose (2-Hour Postprandial)Your blood glucose about 2 hours after you start a normal meal. It shows how well your body handles the sugar and starch from food.
• PR3 AbPR3-ANCA (Anti-Proteinase 3 Antibody)A blood test for antibodies against proteinase 3, a protein in white blood cells. A positive result is most linked to granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a type of vasculitis.
• PR3-ANCAPR3-ANCA (Anti-Proteinase 3 Antibody)A blood test for antibodies against proteinase 3, a protein in white blood cells. A positive result is most linked to granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a type of vasculitis.
• PRAPlasma Renin Activity (PRA)Measures how active renin is in your blood. Renin is a kidney enzyme that helps control blood pressure and salt balance.
• PRCRenin, Direct ConcentrationCounts the amount of active renin, a kidney enzyme that helps control blood pressure and salt balance. It is not the same test as renin activity.
• PRLProlactinA pituitary hormone that helps the breasts make milk after birth. In people who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding, levels are normally low.
• PROUrine Protein (Dipstick)A strip test that gives a rough estimate of the protein in your urine, reported as negative, trace, or 1+ to 4+.
• Pro TimeProthrombin Time (PT)How many seconds your blood plasma takes to clot in the lab. It checks several clotting proteins and is used to follow warfarin.
• PROTUrine Protein (Dipstick)A strip test that gives a rough estimate of the protein in your urine, reported as negative, trace, or 1+ to 4+.
• Protein CProtein C ActivityMeasures how well protein C works. Protein C is a natural blood thinner made in the liver that helps keep your blood from clotting too easily.
• PS ActivityProtein S ActivityMeasures how well protein S works. Protein S is a natural blood thinner that helps protein C keep your blood from clotting too easily.
• PS freeProtein S, Free AntigenMeasures the active, unbound form of protein S, a natural blood thinner. It is the test many labs use first to look for low protein S.
• PSAPSA, Total (Prostate-Specific Antigen)A protein made by the prostate gland. Blood levels rise with age, prostate enlargement, inflammation and sometimes prostate cancer.
• PTProthrombin Time (PT)How many seconds your blood plasma takes to clot in the lab. It checks several clotting proteins and is used to follow warfarin.
• PT/PTTCoagulation PanelLab panelBasic clotting times with fibrinogen and platelet count.
• pT181pp-tau181 (Phosphorylated Tau 181)A form of tau protein in blood plasma. A result at or below the lab's cutoff makes amyloid changes less likely; a result above it calls for more testing.
• pT217pp-tau217 (Phosphorylated Tau 217)A form of tau protein in blood plasma. Higher levels are linked to amyloid build-up in the brain, and each lab's method has its own cutoffs.
• pTau217/AB42Plasma p-tau217 / Abeta42 Ratio (Lumipulse)A calculated ratio of two plasma proteins, p-tau217 divided by amyloid beta 42. A higher ratio makes amyloid build-up in the brain more likely.
• pTau217/Abeta42Plasma p-tau217 / Abeta42 Ratio (Lumipulse)A calculated ratio of two plasma proteins, p-tau217 divided by amyloid beta 42. A higher ratio makes amyloid build-up in the brain more likely.
• PTHParathyroid Hormone (PTH), IntactA hormone from four small glands in your neck that keeps your blood calcium steady. It is read together with calcium and vitamin D.
• PTTActivated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)A clotting-time test that shows how many seconds your blood takes to clot, and is also used to monitor heparin treatment.
• Pus cellsUrine White Blood Cells (WBC)The number of white blood cells seen in a urine sample under a microscope. A few are common. More can be a sign of infection or irritation in the urinary tract.
• PvCO2Venous pCO2The pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in blood from a vein. It reflects how well your lungs clear CO2 and runs a few mmHg above the arterial value.