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Types of Blood Tests for Diagnosing Hepatitis B

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Hepatitis B is a common, serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. It can be transmitted through direct contact with infected blood or certain bodily fluids. The most common method of transmission is from infected pregnant women, who can transmit hepatitis B to the baby during childbirth. It is also called a silent epidemic, as most people do not show symptoms when they are newly infected and can unknowingly spread it to other people. However, hepatitis B is curable, and there are some blood tests which can diagnose the infection. HBsAg The HBsAg test detects the HBsAg, a protein on the surface of the HBV during acute or chronic HBV infection. A positive HBsAg result indicates that a person has contracted the hepatitis B infection. After this, further testing is needed to diagnose whether the infection is acute or chronic. Anti-HBs This blood test measures whether a person has immunity against the hepatitis B virus. The presence of anti-HBs is an indication of recovery ...
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How to Diagnose Typhoid Fever: Key Diagnostic Tests to Note

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Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It affects millions of people worldwide every year. This is why awareness and early detection of this bacterial infection are important. Here is all you need to know about typhoid fever: How Does Typhoid Fever Spread? Typhoid is a bacterial infection that spreads through contaminated food and water (with Salmonella Typhi). It is a common infection in many parts of the Indian subcontinent. When the bacteria pass through the intestinal walls, they reach the blood in a short time. The infection can spread to various organs, such as the liver, gallbladder, and bone marrow. Common Symptoms of Typhoid Fever Fever Body ache Weakness Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Cough Slow pulse rate Important Tests for Typhoid Fever Widal Test A Widal test is one of the most common typhoid fever tests. It confirms the presence/absence of serum agglutinins or antibodies (O and H) in the blood. If a Widal test report is positiv...
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The Role of Anti-CCP and CRP Test for Diagnosing and Monitoring Rheumatoid Arthritis

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  Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. It is an autoimmune disease that affects the lining of the joints and damages the tissues covering the ends of the bones in a joint, causing the joints to bend or deform. Common symptoms of RA may include: Joint pain and stiffness on movement Hard nodules under the skin, near the joints Fatigue and frequent fever Loss of appetite Tenderness, swelling or warmth in the affected joint Joint deformity and reduced motion Most of the time, symptoms affect the same joint on both sides of the body. The inflammation can often also spread to other parts of the body. While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, timely diagnosis and care can be essential to prevent the condition from getting worse.  A CRP test and a CCP antibody test are cost-effective tests that can help confirm an RA diagnosis . Role of CRP Test in Diagnosing Rheumatoid ...
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Quadruple and Triple Screen Test: Assessing the Risk of Birth Defects During Pregnancy

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  Quadruple and triple marker screen test is a blood test conducted during pregnancy which determines if the baby is at risk of birth defects. These tests are done at the second trimester of the pregnancy, which is performed between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, but more accurate results can be achieved between the 16th and 18th weeks. The triple marker test is used to assess the levels of three substances in a pregnant woman's blood. Whereas the quadruple marker test assesses four substances. Women over the age of 35 and having a history of birth defects should consider getting these tests done. Why are the Tests Performed? The purpose of the tests is to determine the baby's risk for specific birth defects such as genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities. These tests are screening tests, and they check only the risk. They do not diagnose the problem, and a positive result means you need further testing. To determine the chance of having a birth defect, certa...
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Monitoring Individuals with Heart Conditions with Different Tests

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 A healthy heart is essential for a person's overall well-being , so keeping a check is vital. Since heart problems do not always present symptoms, it is better to take the right tests to diagnose heart health. Following are some of the tests that help monitor individuals with heart conditions: Lipid Profile A lipid panel or a cholesterol panel test measures the fat molecules in the blood. These fat molecules or cholesterol include good cholesterol or HDL, bad cholesterol or LDL, and triglycerides. If the fat molecules are in high numbers, they can build up in the arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease . This test helps assess the risk of diseases like heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Trop I Test The trop I test is also known as the troponin test, which measures the troponin level in the individual's blood. This protein is found in the cells of the heart muscle . When the heart muscle is damaged, the troponin levels tend to r...
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What You Should Know About the Thyroid Antibodies Test

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A thyroid antibody test is a blood test that measures the amount of thyroid antibodies present in the blood. While normally, the production of antibodies is the body’s way of fighting infection, bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances, in rare cases, the immune system ends up producing antibodies that attack healthy parts of the body, a condition known as autoimmune disease. When these antibodies attack healthy thyroid cells, they can damage thyroid tissues, impacting the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.  Different Types of Thyroid Antibodies Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb): These antibodies can indicate an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) caused due to a condition known as Hashimoto’s disease. Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb): These antibodies can be a sign of Hashimoto’s disease. Thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb): These antibodies bind to the TSH receptor on thyroid cells, stimulating the gland to produce excess thyroid hormones. They are the primar...
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4 Tests to Detect Diabetes Early

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  Diabetes is a chronic illness characterised by the body's inability to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels effectively. This can occur when the body doesn't produce enough insulin or when the cells become resistant to insulin, leading to elevated glucose in the bloodstream. The high levels of blood sugar in the body can lead to numerous health problems that affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart of a person. One can take tests like random blood sugar, glucose challenge, and HbA1C tests at an affordable price to help determine if a person has diabetes (type 1 or 2) or is on the verge of it. HbA1C Test One of the most common tests to diagnose the blood sugar levels of an individual is the HbA1C test. Also called glycated haemoglobin or haemoglobin A1C test, it measures the glucose levels attached to the haemoglobin. The test evaluates the average blood sugar levels over 3 months through a blood sample. A person with consistent high blood sugar levels might have typ...
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