Glossary · 21 terms

Lab-Testing Glossary

The vocabulary that actually changes a buying decision, defined plainly. If a spec sheet uses it, it is explained here.

STD Testing

NAAT: Nucleic acid amplification test — the lab method behind most modern STI testing.
Antigen vs. Antibody Test: Antigen tests detect parts of a pathogen; antibody tests detect your immune response.
Window Period: The time between exposure and when a test can reliably detect infection.

IgG vs. IgE: IgE antibodies drive true allergies; IgG panels measure something different.

Chain of Custody: Documented, witnessed sample handling — required for court-admissible DNA results.
Legal vs. Home Paternity Test: Same science, different documentation — only chain-of-custody tests hold up in court.
AABB Accreditation: The accreditation courts and USCIS look for in relationship DNA testing labs.

Telehealth Consult: A remote visit with a licensed clinician — the model behind UTI care services.

Biomarker: A measurable indicator — like TSH, vitamin D, or cholesterol — that a test reports.

Venipuncture: A standard blood draw from a vein, done at a lab or by a mobile phlebotomist.

CLIA-Certified Lab: A lab certified under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
CAP Accreditation: A rigorous, voluntary lab accreditation from the College of American Pathologists.
Panel: A bundle of related tests run from one sample or visit.
Self-Collection: Collecting your own sample at home — finger-prick, swab, saliva, or urine.
Dried Blood Spot: A finger-prick sample dried on a collection card and mailed to the lab.
Sensitivity & Specificity: The two accuracy measures: catching true positives vs. avoiding false positives.
Turnaround Time: How long from sample receipt (or lab visit) to results in your portal.
Physician Order: The clinician authorization behind most U.S. lab tests — DTC services arrange it.
Physician Review of Results: Some services have clinicians review results and offer a follow-up consult.
HSA/FSA Eligibility: Many diagnostic tests can be paid with HSA/FSA funds; rules vary by product.
Results Portal: The secure account where results post — and a service’s main privacy surface.