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What You Should Know About CTD Profile Test?

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A CTD (Connective Tissue Diseases) profile test is a blood test that helps in the diagnosis of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and others that affect connective tissue in the body. If you have symptoms of joint pain, rashes, fatigue or other commonly occurring symptoms of autoimmune disorders, your doctor may recommend getting a CTD profile test done. Here’s some key information you should have about these tests before opting for one. What Conditions are Checked in a CTD Profile Test? A CTD profile looks for autoantibodies found in many autoimmune connective tissue disorders. Some of the main conditions checked include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, and mixed connective tissue disease. Along with these, a CTD profile may also check for autoantibodies indicating autoimmune liver disease, thyroiditis, antiphospholipid syndrome, and other overlapping conditions. What Causes Connective Tissue Diseases? Connective tissue diseases can be inheri...

What You Need to Know about ESR Test?

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An ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) test is a blood test that is conducted to determine how quickly the red blood cells fall to the bottom of the test tube. This test is usually recommended by the doctor if they suspect high inflammation levels in the human body. Why is an ESR Test Conducted? Often, it is used to diagnose certain medical conditions such as: Arthritis Cancer Inflammatory bowel disease Lupus Systemic vasculitis   The test is also suggested to check the progress of inflammatory diseases. When does a Doctor Recommend an ESR Test? If an individual has visible symptoms that indicate an inflammatory disease, then the doctor recommends this test. Some of the common symptoms include: Headaches Joint stiffness Swollen joints Pain in joints, neck, pelvis, and shoulders Loss of appetite Unintentional weight loss Preparation for the ESR Test If an individual needs to undergo an ESR test then they do not need any special preparation. It is important to disclose any curr...

Understanding Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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  Arthritis is a medical condition in which multiple joints of an individual get inflamed, resulting in swelling, stiffness, and pain. There are almost 100 types of arthritis, however, the most common ones are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. People of all ages can be affected by arthritis but some types of arthritis only occur in the elderly. By taking appropriate  arthritis test , individuals can get suitable treatment. Find out the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of arthritis: -  Causes There can be different or multiple causes of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused due to wear and tear damage to the joint’s cartilage over the years, which causes pain and restricts movement. People with a family history of osteoarthritis are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Another common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder. Due to the attack of the body’s immune system, the lining of the joint capsule gets inflamed along wi...

What You Need to Know About Tacrolimus Test?

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  The Tacrolimus test is a diagnostic tool designed to measure the levels of tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive drug often prescribed to transplant patients, particularly those with kidney, liver, or heart transplants. This test plays a crucial role in ensuring the drug's therapeutic efficacy and preventing potential adverse effects. Let’s understand what everyone must know about the Tacrolimus test . Importance of Monitoring Tacrolimus Levels Maintaining the right concentration of tacrolimus in the bloodstream is vital for transplant recipients. Too much of the drug can lead to toxic side effects while levels that are too low might result in rejection of the transplanted organ. Regular monitoring through the Tacrolimus test helps doctors adjust the dosage to achieve the optimal balance between effectiveness and safety. Procedure and Frequency of Testing The Tacrolimus test typically involves drawing a blood sample from the patient. The blood is then sent to a laboratory for analy...

Types of Hepatitis – A Brief Understanding

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  Hepatitis is a medical condition that occurs due to internal swelling or inflammation in the liver. This inflammation arises due to an excessive intake of alcohol and drugs and exposure to certain chemicals, viruses, autoimmune hepatitis, etc. By taking a well- price d liver function test ( LFT ), it is possible to confirm if an individual has hepatitis or not. Following are the types of hepatitis that one should know about. Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is a short-term or acute illness that transmits through the faucal-oral route. If an infected person does not wash well after using the loo, the disease can be contracted by others. Apart from this, eating shellfish that comes from contaminated water can also cause this type of hepatitis. Hepatitis B The main cause of hepatitis B is when the person gets infected by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can be of two types, namely, acute or chronic, depending on the duration of the disease. People infected with chronic hepatitis B are at...

Preparation & Procedure for Malaria Test | A Quick Guide

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  Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, poses a significant health risk in certain regions. Timely detection and treatment are crucial for preventing severe complications. If you suspect you may have contracted malaria, a malaria test is the first step. This quick guide outlines the preparation and procedure for a malaria test. Preparation for Malaria Test Consult a Healthcare Professional If you experience symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue, consult a healthcare provider. They will assess your condition and recommend the appropriate tests. Discuss Medical History Inform your healthcare provider/lab professional about your medical history, recent travel to malaria-endemic areas, and any medications you are taking. This information will help them in making an accurate diagnosis. Fasting Not Necessary Unlike some medical tests, a malaria test doesn't require fasting. The individual can eat and drink normally before the test. Communicate Concerns If you have concerns about th...

What is an Anti-Thyroid Antibody Test?

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  The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located near the throat. It makes hormones in our body and regulates many bodily functions. It plays an important role in regulating a person’s muscle strength, weight, body temperature, and mood. The anti-thyroid antibody test helps diagnose autoimmune disorders of the thyroid gland. It aids doctors in analyzing the level of thyroid antibodies in an individual’s blood. Many reputed diagnostic centers offer anti-thyroid antibody test s at reasonable price s. Antibodies are proteins that the immune system makes to battle foreign substances like viruses and bacteria. These antibodies can sometimes attack the healthy cells of a person’s tissues and organs. There are different types of thyroid antibodies present in the body. An anti-thyroid antibody test measures one or more of the following types of antibodies, which target specific parts of the thyroid gland, such as: Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) Thyroglobulin (Tg)  Thyroid-stimulati...