Himachal Infinity Med Labs Nahan

Introduction P rocalcitonin (PCT) is a small protein made by certain cells in the body, mainly in the thyroid gland , lungs, and intestines. Normally, healthy people have almost undetectable amounts of PCT in their blood. PCT has emerged as one of the most reliable biomarkers for the early detection of systemic bacterial infections and sepsis. Initially identified by Le Moullec in 1984 as a 116–amino acid residue, its clinical importance was not recognized until 1993, when Assicot and colleagues demonstrated a strong correlation between elevated serum PCT levels and bacterial infections , particularly sepsis confirmed by blood cultures. Unlike other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) , which lack the specificity to differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial infections, PCT has proven to be more precise. It remains low in viral infections and decreases once effective antibiotic treatment begins, making it a useful tool in guiding antimicrobial therapy. T...

  Introduction The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test is a widely used, simple, and cost-effective blood test that helps doctors detect inflammation in the body. While it has been performed for decades, it remains an essential tool in modern diagnostics. ESR is particularly helpful in identifying health problems linked to infections, cancers, autoimmune conditions, and chronic inflammatory disorders. However, ESR is called a non-specific test because it cannot pinpoint the exact cause or location of inflammation. Many factors beyond inflammation can also influence results. For this reason, ESR is often used in combination with other tests—such as the C-reactive protein (CRP) test —to give doctors more accurate insights. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the ESR test, including its purpose, procedure, interpretation, normal ranges, influencing factors, limitations, and commonly asked questions. What is ESR? The Erythrocyte Sedimen...

Allergies are becoming increasingly common worldwide, affecting millions of people across all age groups. If you’ve ever experienced constant sneezing during pollen season, itchy skin after eating certain foods, or difficulty breathing when exposed to dust, you may already know how disruptive allergies can be. To get to the root cause of these reactions, doctors often recommend allergy testing. One such important test is the  Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Total Test. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into what IgE is, how allergies occur, the importance of testing, different types of IgE tests, and what your results may actually mean. What is an Allergy? An allergy is your body’s overreaction to harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mould, or certain foods. While these triggers (called allergens) are safe for most people, in allergic individuals the immune system mistakes them as harmful invaders. This immune response involves a special class of...