Apollo 247 Diagnostics

What is a Beta HCG Test? The human chorionic gonadotropin test (hCG test), commonly known as the Beta HCG test, helps in measuring the levels of hCG hormone in the blood. It is one of the most commonly recommended tests to confirm a pregnancy. This is because hCG levels rise significantly during early pregnancy. Apart from confirming pregnancy in the early stages, hCG test done by Apollo 24|7 helps monitor the health of the baby throughout the pregnancy, detects ectopic pregnancies, and assesses the risk of miscarriage. In non-pregnant people, high levels of hCG may indicate the risk of certain types of cancer, including testicular or ovarian cancer. Beta hCG test done by Apollo 24|7 involves taking a blood sample by professional phlebotomists.

Who Should Get an Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test Done? Certain individuals may benefit from ESR lab test to monitor their health conditions. Below are the categories of people who should consider routine ESR testing: ● Individuals Exhibiting Symptoms: People experiencing unexplained symptoms such as persistent fever, chronic fatigue, and muscle and joint pain should consider undergoing an erythrocyte sedimentation rate test. The test can help identify underlying inflammatory processes that might be causing these symptoms, providing a clearer direction for further diagnostic testing and treatment. ● People with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions: Individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should have regular ESR blood tests to monitor inflammation levels and treatment effectiveness, helping track disease activity, flare-ups, and severity of conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. ● Individuals with Autoimmune Disorders: Patients with autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), vasculitis, and psoriatic arthritis, can benefit from routine sed rate tests. These tests assist in tracking disease progression and adjusting treatment plans. For instance, sedimentation rate testing can help monitor inflammation levels and the effectiveness of treatments in individuals with psoriatic arthritis.

What is the Purpose of the Renal Function Test? Understanding the significance of a renal function test is essential for ensuring kidney health and addressing potential renal disorders. Here's why the KFT test is crucial: ● Assessing Kidney Function: The kidney renal function test measures various parameters, such as glomerular filtration rate (GFR), creatinine clearance, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), to assess how effectively the kidneys are filtering waste products from the blood. ● Detecting Kidney Disorders: The kidney profile test helps in detecting various kidney disorders, such as chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and other conditions that may affect kidney function. ● Monitoring Kidney Health: The kidney function test is useful for monitoring the progression of diagnosed kidney diseases and evaluating the effectiveness of existing treatment. They can also help in assessing the overall health of the kidneys in individuals with certain risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease. ● Evaluating Electrolyte Balance: Renal test kidney function evaluations are crucial for assessing electrolyte levels and identifying any imbalances that may arise from abnormalities in renal function. These evaluations play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride within the body.

What is a Potassium – Serum/Plasma Test? A potassium – serum/plasma test, often referred to as a serum potassium test or potassium (K) blood test, is a common diagnostic procedure used by doctors to measure the concentration of potassium in your blood. Potassium is an important electrolyte that plays a pivotal role in several bodily functions: ● Maintains Fluid Levels: Potassium helps regulate the balance of fluids in your body, ensuring that your cells function correctly. ● Regulates Acid-Base Balance: It aids in maintaining the correct pH level. Without it, your body can become too acidic or alkaline, resulting in various health issues. ● Regulates Muscle and Nerve Activity: It also regulates muscle contractions and nerve signals. Without sufficient potassium, you may experience muscle weakness or abnormal heart rhythms. This test often forms part of routine check-ups or an electrolyte panel (a set of tests to measure specific electrolytes). Doctors carry out this vital examination to monitor and diagnose conditions linked to abnormal potassium levels. Understanding your potassium levels can provide crucial insights into your overall health.

Recognising who should consider undergoing a chikungunya IgM test is crucial for proactive management of this disease. The following individuals should think about getting this chikungunya test done: ● Patients with Acute Onset of Fever and Polyarthralgia: Individuals experiencing sudden fever and multiple joint pain, particularly those who have recently travelled to areas with known chikungunya virus transmission, should consider a chikungunya diagnostic test. ● Suspected Chikungunya Virus Infection: The chikungunya fever test is recommended for patients suspected of having a chikungunya virus infection. As the IgM antibodies typically develop by the end of the first week of illness, this test can help confirm the diagnosis. ● Confirming Positive IgM Antibody Results: A positive chikungunya virus-specific IgM antibody result needs confirmation through neutralising antibody testing at a state public health laboratory or the CDC. This is to rule out false positives which can occur. ● Part of Diagnostic Workup: For patients exhibiting symptoms consistent with chikungunya, such as fever, joint pain and fatigue, the chikungunya virus test should be part of their diagnostic evaluation. This aids in reaching an accurate diagnosis and formulating the best therapeutic approach.

The following is a simplified list of scenarios where undergoing a CRP test could be beneficial: ● Persistent Fever: If you've had a fever for more than a few days and it's not responding to usual treatments, it might be worthwhile to get a CRP test done. ● Symptoms of Infection: Signs like redness, swelling, warmth, or pain might indicate an infection. Your doctor would likely advise you to get a CRP test. ● Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis often cause symptoms like joint pain and stiffness, fatigue, or skin rashes. A CRP test can help diagnose these conditions. ● Heart Disease Risk Assessment: Elevated levels of CRP could be an indicator of possible heart disease. If you have risk factors like obesity, hypertension, or diabetes, your doctor may recommend this test. If you are facing any such scenario, consider consulting your doctor about getting a CRP test done.

Understanding the components of a dengue NS1 ELISA test procedure can be helpful when you need to undergo this test for diagnosing dengue fever. Here are the key components of dengue NS1 ELISA test: ● Qualitative NS1 Antigen Detection: This test aims to detect the presence of the dengue NS1 antigen in the blood sample. The NS1 antigen is a protein produced by the dengue virus early in the infection and is detectable in the bloodstream during the acute phase of the illness. ● Quantitative NS1 Antigen Measurement: Quantitative testing measures the concentration of NS1 antigen present in the blood sample. Quantitative results provide insight into the severity of the infection and can help monitor disease progression. ● Serial Testing: Serial testing involves performing NS1 antigen detection at multiple time points during the course of the illness. This approach allows doctors to monitor changes in NS1 antigen levels over time, providing valuable information for disease progression and management. ● Comparison with Dengue IgM/IgG Antibody Tests: In addition to NS1 antigen testing, doctors often conduct dengue IgM and IgG antibody tests. IgM antibodies typically appear in the blood within a few days after the onset of symptoms, while IgG antibodies develop later during the convalescent phase. Comparing NS1 antigen results with IgM and IgG antibody results helps in the comprehensive diagnosis and characterisation of dengue infection.

The frequency of the LFT liver function test could vary depending on individual health conditions, medical history, treatment regimens, and other risk factors. ● Typically, for individuals without known liver problems frequent liver profile testing isn't necessary unless specific symptoms or risk factors warrant an evaluation. ● Regular monitoring might be needed if you're at risk or have a history of liver disease. Individuals in the high-risk category should undergo an LFT test once a year. ● Individuals diagnosed with chronic liver disease might require an LFT liver function test every 3 to 6 months to track liver function and modify treatment. Usually, no special preparation like fasting is required for most components of an LFT function test. However, some doctors may recommend you to fast overnight before the test. This means avoiding eating or drinking anything except water for 8-12 hours before your scheduled test time. Following your doctor's instructions about fasting before the LFT liver function test is critical to obtain accurate test results.

If someone is experiencing persistent fatigue, unexplained weight fluctuations, or abnormal heart rate, it could signal a thyroid gland issue. Here are some signs that indicate the need for a TFT test: Unexplained weight changes: Sudden weight gain or loss may indicate irregularities in thyroid hormone levels, as the gland regulates metabolism, directly affecting body weight. Constant fatigue: Impaired thyroid function may result in insufficient thyroid hormone levels to support energy metabolism adequately. Feeling constantly exhausted despite adequate rest could indicate suboptimal thyroid function. Sensitivity to temperature: As the thyroid gland helps regulate body temperature, feeling excessively cold or hot when others are comfortable may indicate thyroid dysfunction. Changes in heart rate: The thyroid gland influences heart rate and cardiovascular function. Unusually rapid or slow heart rates may indicate a thyroid issue. Cognitive issues: Difficulty concentrating or memory problems may suggest an underactive thyroid gland. Mood swings: Sudden mood changes or severe depression could indicate thyroid dysfunction. Imbalances in thyroid hormone levels can disrupt neurotransmitter activity in the brain, leading to mood disturbances such as depression, anxiety, or irritability. Changes in skin and hair texture: Compromised thyroid function may lead to changes in skin texture, including dryness, roughness, thinning hair, and increased hair loss.

Understanding the RBS test purpose is the key to better health management. By assessing your blood sugar levels, it provides valuable insights into your body's ability to metabolize glucose. ● Diagnosis of Diabetes: The random glucose test is important in diagnosing diabetes. Those with high blood sugar levels may consider diabetes screening through the RBS blood test. ● Monitoring Diabetes Management: For individuals already diagnosed with diabetes, an RBS medical test plays a crucial role in monitoring their blood sugar management. By regularly monitoring blood sugar levels through this test, doctors can make informed decisions to optimize diabetes management, aiming to prevent complications and improve overall health outcomes for their patients. ● Identifying Pre-Diabetes: A random blood sugar test is also used to identify pre-diabetes – a condition where the blood sugar is high but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Early identification can help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes with lifestyle modifications. ● Diagnosing Hypoglycemia: Not only high but unusually low blood sugar levels can also pose health risks. The RBS blood test can help diagnose hypoglycemia – a condition where your glucose level drops significantly. Thus, a sugar random test has multiple purposes from diabetes and pre-diabetes screening to monitoring of blood sugar levels in high-risk patients.