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Showing posts with the label Medical Diagnostics

Lipase Test – Purpose, Procedure, and What Your Results Mean

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  What is a Lipase Test? A Lipase Test checks how much of the lipase enzyme is present in your blood. Lipase helps your body digest fats by breaking them down in the small intestine . Under normal conditions, only a small amount of lipase circulates in the blood. However, if the pancreas is injured or inflamed, large quantities of the enzyme leak into the bloodstream. This test helps identify: Pancreatitis (acute or chronic) Pancreatic blockages or tumors Digestive and metabolic disorders Also known as: Serum Lipase, Lipase, LPS Test. Purpose of the Lipase Test Doctors may recommend this test to: Diagnose acute or chronic pancreatitis Monitor pancreatic function or treatment response Detect blockages, cysts, or tumors in the pancreas Evaluate conditions like Crohn’s disease , celiac disease , and cystic fibrosis Identify intestinal injury , peritonitis , or gallbladder disorders Why You May ...

ESR Test – A Comprehensive Guide to This Inflammation Marker

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  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...

Liver Function Tests (LFTs): What You Should Know

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What Are Liver Function Tests? Liver Function Tests (LFTs) are a collection of blood tests used to assess how well your liver is performing. They measure enzymes, proteins, and substances that either: Reflect the liver’s normal activity, or Leak into the blood when the liver is damaged. When reviewed together with your medical history and symptoms, these results provide an overall picture of liver health. Both higher and lower values than expected may indicate a potential issue. Why the Liver Matters Your liver is one of the body’s most vital organs. It: Processes nutrients from food. Breaks down toxins and removes harmful by-products. Produces bile, which helps digest fats. Regulates blood clotting and stores essential vitamins and glycogen. Plays a role in immunity by filtering bacteria and viruses from the bloodstream. Because it performs so many crucial functions, damage to the liver can have widespread effects. Why Doctors Recommend LFTs Doctors ...

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Test: Understanding Allergy Diagnosis

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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...