Schizophrenia laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vindhya BellamKonda, M.B.B.S [2], Irfan Dotani

Overview

An initial assessment includes a comprehensive history and physical examination by a physician. Although there are no biological tests which confirm schizophrenia, tests are carried out to exclude medical illnesses which may rarely present with psychotic schizophrenia-like symptoms. These include blood tests measuring TSH to exclude hypo- or hyperthyroidism, basic electrolytes and serum calcium to rule out a metabolic disturbance, full blood count including ESR to rule out a systemic infection or chronic disease, and serology to exclude syphilis or HIV infection. Drugs of abuse should also be tested for with a urine drug screen, and further diagnostic workup is detailed here.

Laboratory Findings

An initial assessment includes a comprehensive history and physical examination by a physician.^[1]
Although there are no biological tests which confirm schizophrenia, tests are carried out to exclude medical illnesses which may rarely present with psychotic schizophrenia-like symptoms.^[2]
- These include blood tests measuring TSH to exclude hypo- or hyperthyroidism, basic electrolytes and serum calcium to rule out a metabolic disturbance, full blood count including ESR to rule out a systemic infection or chronic disease, and serology to exclude syphilis or HIV infection.
- Drugs of abuse should also be tested for with a urine drug screen, and further diagnostic workup is detailed here.^[3]

Investigations are not generally repeated for relapse unless there is a specific medical indication.^[4]
These may include serum blood sugar level if olanzapine has previously been prescribed, liver function tests if chlorpromazine or CPK to exclude neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Assessment and treatment are usually done on an outpatient basis; admission to an inpatient facility is considered if there is a risk to self or others.

References

Overview