Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is spread through exposure to blood, often as a result of injection use. Per CDC, the cases of hepatitis C are increasing dramatically in the United States, particularly among younger adults. In fact, younger adults 20-39 years old have the […]
TSH Assay
The TSH assay is an in vitro test used for the quantitative determination of TSH in human serum and plasma. The anterior pituitary gland produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Thyrotropin releasing hormone, which is produced by the hypothalamus, controls the production of TSH. TSH is also regulated by the Free T4, thyroxine, and T3, triiodothyronine, […]
Vitamin B12 Assay
The Vitamin B12 assay is an in vitro test used for the quantitative determination of Vitamin B12 in human serum and plasma. Vitamin B12 is necessary for DNA synthesis, cellular energy production, and red blood cell production. Vitamin B12 deficiency was introduced in 1849 and was originally thought to be fatal. This changed in 1926 […]
Prothrombin Time (PT)
The prothrombin time (PT) is the most commonly used anticoagulant test and was first introduced into use by Dr. Armand Quick and colleagues in 1935.1 The PT is used to evaluate the tissue factor (TF) and common coagulation pathway thus affecting the activity of the coagulation factors II (FII, V (FV), VII (FVII), X (FX), […]
Otitis Externa
Otitis externa (also known as “swimmer’s ear”) is inflammation of the external ear canal. It is often caused by bacterial or fungal infection that responds well to topical treatment. However, some people are more susceptible to severe infection that can invade surrounding structures. When this happens, it is called malignant otitis externa, and can […]
Insulin
Insulin is considered one of the main anabolic hormones produced in the human body and aids in the regulation of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It does this by promoting the absorption of glucose from blood into liver cells, skeletal muscle cells or fat cells. From there, glucose is converted and stored as glycogen […]
D-Dimer
D-dimer is a protein fragment formed by the breakdown of fibrin in the body. It is a marker for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and can also be positive in patients with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. Recently, D-dimer has been used as a predictor for the severity and mortality of Covid-19, due to […]
Lamotrigine
Lamotrigine (LAMICTAL, 3,5-diamino-6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazine) is an anti-convulsant drug approved for use in the treatment of epilepsy and is often prescribed as monotherapy or as one component of a multiple anti-epileptic drug therapy. Although the mechanism of action for lamotrigine is not entirely understood, research has shown that lamotrigine selectively binds and inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels, […]
Lyme
Lyme disease is most common vector-borne disease in the United States. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi, a pathogenic gram-negative bacterium belonging to the class Spirochaetes. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical finding (e.g. rash), and the possibility […]
Cortisol
Cortisol, a steroid hormone, is synthesized from cholesterol. It is synthesized in the Zona fasciculata layer of the adrenal cortex. Cortisol has many functions in the human body, such as mediating the stress response, regulating metabolism, the inflammatory response, and immune function. Blood levels of cortisol vary throughout the day, but generally are higher […]