Laboratory Tests - Diagnosing A Stroke: Stroke
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Laboratory tests
You will need blood and urine tests to rule out conditions that sometimes produce stroke-like symptoms, such as an infection or low blood sugar. Later, the physician may order more lab work to assess cardiovascular risk factors, such as elevated cholesterol or clotting problems.
The doctor may perform a lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, by inserting a needle into the spinal canal to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid. It will be tested for traces of blood, which could signal a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and for any evidence of a brain tumor or infection.
| Last updated: | September 05, 2008 |
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