Abdominal Pain
A blood test to help evaluate the cause of abdominal pain in patients with HIV, checking for conditions that may be related to HIV infection or its treatment.
{"This test helps doctors find out why someone with HIV has stomach pain","It checks for infections, organ problems, or medication side effects","The test uses a blood sample taken from a vein in your arm"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 28538-7
- Short code
- ABDPN-HIV
- Synonyms
- —
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red top tube - Note: This test is primarily a clinical assessment; serum may be collected if concurrent chemistry panels are ordered
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- reported-hiv-ssc
- CPT
- 86403 - Infectious disease antibody; HIV-1 or HIV-2, screening (Note: CPT may vary; consult billing guidelines for symptom assessment coding)
- SNOMED
- 271595005 - Abdominal pain (finding)
- Specimen volume
- Not applicable - Primary assessment is clinical questionnaire; if serum collected for concurrent testing, standard 3-5 mL
- Stability
- Not applicable - Symptom assessment is performed at point of care
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 0–0 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Abdominal Pain test for HIV patients is a blood test that helps your healthcare provider understand why you are experiencing stomach pain. In people with HIV, abdominal pain can have many different causes - it might be related to HIV itself, infections that affect people with weaker immune systems, side effects from HIV medications, or completely unrelated reasons. This test looks at various substances in your blood to help figure out the cause.
How is the test done?
A healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. The blood is collected into a tube and sent to a laboratory for analysis. You do not need to fast before this test unless your doctor specifically tells you to. The test only takes a few minutes, and you may feel a brief pinch when the needle is inserted.
What do the results mean?
The test results help your doctor check several things: liver and kidney function, signs of infection, pancreatic health, and electrolyte levels. Abnormal results may indicate conditions such as hepatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney issues, or infections. Your doctor will interpret these results together with your symptoms and other tests to determine the cause of your abdominal pain.
Are there any risks?
The risks are minimal and include slight bruising at the puncture site, lightheadedness, or rare infection. These tests are generally very safe and are performed regularly to help manage health conditions.
Reference range
Not applicable - This is a symptom severity assessment tool, not a quantitative laboratory measurement. Results are interpreted clinically based on patient-reported pain intensity and associated symptoms.N/A
No specific preparation required. Patient should be able to communicate symptoms accurately. Assessor should explain the assessment clearly to ensure reliable symptom reporting. Document any cognitive impairment that may affect symptom reporting.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need this test if I just have a stomach ache?
Will this test tell me if my HIV medications are causing the problem?
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to prepare anything for this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy