Wednesday 25 July 2018

[www.keralites.net] 10 facts you don't know about blood tests [1 Attachment]

 


10 Facts You Didn't Know About Blood Tests

When you visit your doctor for a regular checkup it's quite standard that blood tests are ordered. This is the normal way for doctors to access your health but most times the results we get look like gibberish. Because tests can be overwhelming it's important to ask relevant questions. Here are 10 things that you might not know to ask.
1. Standard tests to look out for.
A typical set of tests might include a CBC, a complete blood count, which measure hemoglobin, and the number of red and white blood cells in your system. They might also request a basic metabolic panel, also called a blood chemistry, which looks at the chemical levels in your blood such as blood glucose, electrolytes, and calcium to check on your organ function. Another test is called the lipoprotein panel, which looks at the fat levels in your blood, to check cholesterol.
2. Doctors focus on the bad news.
Doctors don't discuss the good news. If your test comes back without any bad results, they tend not to contact you. They might send you the test results without any explanation, which can be difficult for a person who didn't go to medical school to understand. It's a good idea to follow up with a nurse practitioner or doctor, even if the results came back without any concerns. It's good to track if the results differed from your last set of tests and find out what those changes might mean. 
3. Positive and negative are opposites in bloodwork.
When it comes to bloodwork, the meanings of these words get reversed. When a test result comes back positive it means the molecular markers in your blood test detected traces of the disease, gene or risk factor, which is not good news. When a test result comes back negative, it means the test did not find anything indicating you have a disease or a disorder. For example a test looking for DNA markers for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene for breast and ovarian cancer risk, you should be hoping for a negative result, indicating you don'thave the gene.
4. Results differ from person to person.
It's never a good idea to compare your results to that of others. For example, what is considered normal for men can be quite different from what normal looks like for women. If you compared the results of red blood cells in a CBC, the results will be much higher for men, with 5 to 6 million cells per microliter, compared to pre-menopause aged women who average 4 to 5 million, due to loss of blood during menstruation.
5. Age affects the results.
It's important to know that results mean different things at different ages, as normal levels change as you age. For hemoglobin, which is part of the CBC test, children's levels are much lower than adults, ranging from 11 to 13 grams per deciliter (abbreviated to gm/dl). For adult men, it should range from 13.5 to 17.5 gm/dl and women it should range from 12 to 15.5 gm/dl. The difference is notable. Similarly, cholesterol numbers mean vastly different things as you age. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein – the bad kind of cholesterol) levels should be lower than 130 milligrams per deciliters for most people. Rates of 160 to 190 mg/dl indicate a risk for heart disease. The risk is higher if you are over the age of 45 for men and 55 for women.
6. False positive test results are quite common.
Tests sometimes come back positive when they are not, called a false-positive, which means a person might think they carry the markers for a genetic disorder when in fact they do not. The first screening for a condition often needs to be checked with a more specific second test, to determine whether the results are accurate. An example is the rapid HIV test, which is not as reliable as the tests requiring longer waiting periods for the results, which often produces false positives. In communities with a one percent infection rate, for every ten true positive results, two false positive HIV rapid test results are expected.
7. False negatives test results can also happen.
In other cases sometimes a test fails to detect evidence of a disease or condition you actually have. An example is blood tests for hepatitis C, where results come back negative when you were exposed to the virus, and the disease markers lie dormant in your system. If you think you've been exposed to an infectious disease, it's always a good idea to get tested a second time
8. Mistakes do happen.
Although rare, sometimes mix-ups and mistakes do happen. Lab technicians are human and despite strict practices to ensure accurate results, errors can happen. On rare occasions, test samples are switched. Results can also be affected by how blood samples are handled before being analyzed. For instance if a blood sample is shaken in the tube, the blood cells canburst, releasing their contents, possibly causing the test results to differ.
9. Not all labs are the same.
Don't compare reports from different labs. Lab technicians compare your test results to the range that is considered normal for that laboratory, so their reference is based on the people previously tested in that lab. Sometimes a lab will set their own reference range, or use different equipment or tests, which impacts the results, making one lab's normal range different to that of another lab's. Some tests have set a standardized reference range, such as the test for blood sugar and the results are universal.
Source
10. Abnormal results aren't always an indicator.
If you get back a test result outside the normal range of the lab's expected values leading to a diagnosis. Sometimes this outcome is due to other reasons. For example if you drank alcohol or ate something before the tests, this could influence the results. That's why it's very important to follow the lab's instructions for tests, such as fasting for cholesterol tests, or drinking water for an ultrasound. If you suspect your outcome was affected by an external source, it's important to ask to get retested.


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[www.keralites.net] Ten signs that you that you may have Thyroid [1 Attachment]

 

Ten Signs That You May Have a Thyroid Problem

It is believed that up to 59 million people suffer from a thyroid problem in the USA alone, yet estimates suggest that up to 60% of sufferers are not even aware that they have an issue. This is believed to be because the signs and symptoms are so common they are easily ignored, misdiagnosed or attributed to every day problems we all suffer from. If you have a thyroid problem it can affect all parts of your wellbeing and it is important that you are aware of the symptoms so that you can ask your doctor to test your thyroid and discuss treatment options.
What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland in the neck that is essential in regulating the body's metabolism, or the way that it produces energy. Its role contributes to the effective functioning of a number of important organs, including the brain, liver, kidneys and skin. It also affects critical functions of the body, such as energy levels and heart rate. Put simply, your body's overall health is hugely dependent on a healthy, functioning thyroid. If there is something wrong, it can effect your emotional, physical and mental wellbeing in numerous ways.

What Sort of Thyroid Problems Can Develop?
Thyroid problems are very common in both men and women and include goiters, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis and thyroid cancer. However, the most common types of thyroid complaints are hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, and hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. An underactive thyroid will make sufferers feel tired and slow, while an overactive thyroid causes feelings of restlessness, irritation and insomnia amongst other symptoms.
So What Signs Should I Look You For?
There are numerous indicators of an underlying thyroid problem. Here is our list of ten signs you should look out for:

1. Do You Feel Unusually Tired?
Feelings of exhaustion and unexplained levels of fatigue are common indicators of a thyroid problem. If you feel tired even though you have had a good night's sleep, it could be a sign of a underactive thyroid.
Alternatively, if you are suffering with an overactive thyroid, you may find it difficult to sleep at night and 'switch off', leaving you feeling tired and restless during the day.
2. Have You Noticed a Sudden Change in Body Weight?
Unexplained weight gain can be a sign of an underactive thyroid. If you put on weight despite following a healthy living plan, it may indicate low levels of thyroid hormones. This can ensure the body is unable to 'burn' all the calories it consumes.
On the other hand, if you find you are losing weight despite not having made any other lifestyle changes, it could indicate that you have an overactive thyroid which is producing more hormones that the body needs. This can also lead to a decreased appetite.
3. Are You Feeling Depressed or Anxious?

Are you experiencing depression, anxiety and panic attacks and can't explain why? These can also point to a thyroid problem.
Depression is linked to an underactive thyroid, while feelings of anxiety and sudden panic are common consequences of an Overactive Thyroid.
Depression and Anxiety can be caused by a number of factors and do not indicate a thyroid problem on their own, but you should look out for the signs.
4. Have You Noticed a Change in Your Menstrual Cycle?
Women often experience issues related to their menstrual pattern if they have a thyroid problem. More prolonged periods including heavier bleeding and greater pain are often signs of an underactive Thyroid. Alternatively, shorter, more infrequent periods with lighter periods can be attributed to an overactive thyroid.
5. Are You Experiencing Unexplained Hair Loss?
Hair loss from the head as well as the eyebrows and other body parts can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid. Hair may also feel dry, coarse and brittle. Thinning hair around the crown and a dry, flaky scalp can also be signs of an overactive thyroid.
6. Are You Feeling Overly Hot or Cold?
The thyroid contributes to the regulation of the body's temperature, so feelings of hot or cold which are not seemingly related to air temperature can be a sign of a problem. If you consistently have cold hands and feet or find yourself feeling chilly even when in a warm room, you could be suffering from an underactive thyroid.
Alternatively, if you find yourself sweating excessively or unable to tolerate normal levels of heat, it could be that you have an overactive thyroid.
7. Do You Have Discomfort in Your Throat?

The thyroid is located in the neck, so direct pain can result from it swelling or becoming enlarged. An enflamed thyroid is called a goiter and can be caused by either an underactive thyroid or an overactive thyroid. 
Other symptoms associated with the inflammation of the thyroid include a croaky or hoarse voice or an increase in snoring.
photo credit: www.webmd.com
8. Do You Have Problems Digesting Food?
Digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea or Irritable Bowel Syndrome may all relate to a badly functioning thyroid. The thyroid hormones directly impact bowel movements and inhibit the body's ability to process food and create waste. If you have a healthy diet but suffer from severe constipation, it could be linked to an underactive thyroid. Diarrhea and and IBS, on the other hand, can point to an overactive thyroid.
9. Is Your Skin Irritable?
The hormones released by the thyroid gland directly control the functioning of the skin. This means that skin complaints can often be attributed to underlying thyroid problems. If you have an underactive thyroid, your skin may change colour slightly, become drier and more scaly, and eczema can appear. 
If you have an overactive thyroid, you tend to sweat more and your skin can become irritated and itchy.
10. Do You Have Pain or Weakness In Your Muscles and Joints?
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If you have unexplained weakness in your arms and legs, or noticeable aches and pains in your muscles and joints, you could have an underlying thyroid problem.
Cramps, stiffness and general joint pain in the arms and legs are all symptoms related to an underactive thyroid. 
Muscle weakness, particularly in the thighs and upper arms are signs of an overactive thyroid. If you find it difficult to climb the stairs, lift your arms over your head or hold your hand steady, you could have an underlying issue.

See our Symptoms Checklist!
So there are a number of signs that indicate a thyroid problem and if you are experiencing some of them, it may be worth asking your Doctor for a diagnosis. Compare any symptoms you may have with our checklist below and make sure you look after your health.
Sources: top10homeremedies.com and www.webmd.com

Underactive Thyroid Overactive Thyroid 
Fatigue and Tiredness Difficulty Sleeping
Weight Gain Weight Loss
Depression Nerves and Anxiety
Longer, heavier periods Lighter, shorter periods 
Cold hands and feet Excessive Sweating 
Dry, discoloured skin Itchy skin
Neck discomfort Neck discomfort
Constipation Diarrhea or IBS
Cramps Muscle weakness
Joint pain stiffness Shaky hands

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