SRL Care

A woman is inadvertently assigned the role of the power house of the family. Any woman routinely multitasks as a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a employee, a boss, a colleague and many other roles, to such a great extent that she is often left with no ‘me’ time!!! The focus on health within the family is often concentrated on children, spouse and parents and never really on the Woman of the house, thus they avoid a preventive health check for themselves until symptoms really set in.

Women’s health typically fall into 3 broad age group bands catering for the mid life period of significant hormonal changes related to menopause. The three age group categories for health checks are often delineated as follows -below 40 years, 40-50 years and above 50 years. These coincide with the occurrence of major milestones and hence appropriate wellness packages are thus defined.

The medical issues related specifically to young and adult women are: Anemia , PCOD, Urinary tract infections(UTI), Breast and cervical cancer, Heart disease, Hormonal Imbalances, Diabetes,  Thyroid, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Obesity and Depression amongst others .

Thyroid conditions are 5-10 times more common in women. With thyroid illnesses there is a gender predisposition and women show an increased tendency to get these disorders. Simple screening tests as TSH, T3 and T4 along with anti-TPO (anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies) helps distinguish between the different thyroid illnesses and if required, start with the specific medications. Left untreated, the complications of these disorders are enormous.

Similarly, complete blood picture gives an idea about the levels of hemoglobin and various blood cells of a woman, which are important values to know to rule out anemia, UTI or any other pathology in a woman.

Dental checks are advised 6 monthly at any age and emotional counseling helps in all age groups.

A woman, below 40 yrs of age, should test one’s Lipid profile and hsCRP, on a regular interval as a preventive marker for heart diseases, even if no symptoms. It is always useful to know the baselines of diabetes markers, the Fasting blood sugar, Post Prandial blood sugar and HbA1c and also of Kidney and Liver functions. Serum creatinine and blood urea Nitrogen are basic kidney screen markers. And with associated hypertension, adding on Electrolytes , Urine Microalbumin, Calcium , Phosphorous and Uric acid make up a more elaborate kidney screen. Serum Bilirubin and the enzymes SGOT and SGPT are the basic tests for screening liver function and in case a more detailed analysis required,  then Total protein , albumin , globulin and ratios, further enzymes such as LDH and Alkaline Phosphatase as well as HbsAg      (a marker for hepatitis B infection) should also be tested .

Low Vitamin D levels are very prevalent amongst women due to reduced sun exposure while maintaining serum Vitamin D levels is essential to ensure that there is adequate absorption of calcium.

Vitamin B12 is also a good screening test useful for women who have strict vegetarian diets.  Deficiencies of Vitamin D and B12 lead to joint pains and vague neurological signs, respectively.

Therefore, women should get their Vitamin D and B12 levels tested.

With the high incidence of cervical cancer a periodic PAP smear is advised. Mayo clinic recommends beginning Pap smear testing at age 21 and then every two or three years. After age 30, Pap smears are generally recommended every three years, or every five years when the Pap smear is combined with an HPV test. If you have certain risk factors, your doctor may recommend more-frequent Pap smears, regardless of your age.The Liquid based cytology method for PAP smears is advisable  as there are enhanced chances of adequacy of cell yield .

A mammogram is generally not recommended as a pure screening procedure under the age of 40 unless there is either strong family history or symptoms of a lump in which case it should be physician recommended. Most women who have a mother, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer at the age of 50 or older, or who are at high risk of breast cancer because of obesity or other reasons, should have regular mammograms (every one or two years) starting at age 40. Newer studies have however found that starting yearly mammograms before age 35 has no benefit.  In rare cases,  if a woman’s relatives have had breast cancer at a young age, women need to consider mammograms even before age 40 under the advice of their gynaecologist  or a breast MRI which is likely to be more accurate than a mammogram, and they are safer than mammograms .

A breast self exam once a month, always goes a long way in picking up a suspicious lump early .

An Ultrasound abdomen and an ECG at any age always gives a wealth of information and also serves as a good baseline test.

If a woman has had unprotected sex and has multiple partners it would be wise to get the trio of Hepatitis B , hepatitis C and HIV screen tested . A VDRL test can also be done.  

For the age group 40-50 yrs, apart from the tests mentioned above, as this is a phase of significant hormonal changes the following are often included into packages often on a doctor’s advice. Hormonal tests often prescribed to be done on day 3 of the cycle are FSH, Estradiol, LSH and Prolactin. Tests such as Inhibin B and Anti Mullerian Hormone may be prescribed by your Physician if your symptoms mimic menopause closely.

Tests such as TMT and 2 D echocardiogram can be added on at this stage as in this age group usually menopause approaches and estrogen levels start dipping; estrogen is the protective hormone to women against heart diseases and post menopause makes a woman more vulnerable to cardio vascular diseases.

Above 50 years of age other tests which can be added on, are Dexa Scan to screen for Osteoporosis, Audiometry if hearing disorders are suspected and stool occult blood in case of vague Gastro intestinal complaints.

At SRL, Pathology tests are available at all SRL labs, while Radiology tests, cardiology tests and Consultations are available at SRL Wellness centers and Radiology centers.

SRL has specifically defined age specific packages for Women of all age groups and the samples can be picked up from your home or your office as per your convenience and reports downloaded via mail or home delivered.

Several factors influence the training regime and success of a sportsperson, one of the prominent factors being the genetic structure. Human genetics can play a major role in determining an athlete’s potential. It is easier to choose the most suitable sport to train on, if one is aware of their hereditary prerequisites. From all the sportsmen living and training in the same conditions, the best results are achieved by those who have more favourable hereditary prerequisites for a specific sport.

Data have demonstrated that performance in the short distance sprint and hurdles, shot put, long jump, etc. (which rely on explosive power and fast fatigue-susceptible muscle fibers) is negatively correlated with performance in the long distance race (which requires endurance and fatigue-resistant slow fiber activity). This suggests that an individual is inherently predisposed toward specialist performance in one area (sprint/power vs. endurance).

In humans, there are two genes encoding skeletal-muscle α-actinins: ACTN2 , which is expressed in all skeletal muscle fibers, and ACTN3, also called as sports gene, which is restricted to fast (type 2)twitch muscle fibers. The ACTN3 gene encodes a muscle protein called alpha-actinin 3. This protein has a beneficial effect on the function of skeletal muscle in generating forceful, repetitive muscle contraction at high velocity and provides an evolutionary advantage because of increased sprint performance.  ACTN3 have two variants, R & X. The R allele makes actinin, a protein found only in fast muscle fibres. These fibres help to produce the explosive bursts of speed and power that sprinters need. The other allele, called X, does not produce actinin-3.

Everyone has two copies of the ACTN3 gene, with one copy inherited from each parent. As everyone has two copies of the ACTN3 gene, there are three different combinations or genotypes possible:

XX Type: Studies of elite level athletes show that this combination is associated with a natural predisposition to Endurance Sports, such as long distance running, cycling and swimming.

RR Type: This combination is associated with a natural predisposition for Sprint/ Power Sports, such as track events <800m, swimming events <200m, rugby,bodybuilding and weightlifting.

RX Type: If you have this combination you may be equally suited for Both Endurance and Sprint/ Power Sports, such as football, handball, tennis, basketball, etc.

 What are the Benefits of this Test?

1.       ACTN3 genotyping test is a complement to any fitness assessment evaluation.

2.       Test results can be used by trainers to assist clients to select energy systems and training techniques best suited for their genetic profile.

3.       Helps identify natural ability towards a particular sport.

4.       Potent tool to guide individuals, parents, and coaches towards effective training to maximize sporting performance.

5.       The genetic test can be conducted at any age.

6.       It is completely non-invasive; no blood test required.

7.       Buccal swab required; collection of oral fluid by a gentle brush from the inner cheek of the child’s mouth.

8.       No fasting required.

9.       Cost effective and convenient.

Statistics describing the spread of cancer paint a disheartening picture with an estimated 12 million cases reported globally in 2008. In India, approximately 950,000 cases of cancer were reported in 2008, of which the top five were cancers of cervix, breast, oral cavity, lung and esophagus. However recent trends among females indicate that cancer of the cervix is the second leading cancer in India, breast being the first. Notably, ~20 % of the global burden of cervical cancer falls on India and the projected no. of new cases by 2025 is in the tune of 2,03,757 cases as per report from IARC, Globacon 2008. Data from National Cancer Registry Programme, World Health Organisation, and Atlas of Cancer in India indicates that Pondicherry and Villupuram in Tamilnadu has the highest-adjusted incidence of cervical cancer in India (39.2 and 31.1 per 100,000 populations). This is followed by Chennai (30.6), Cuddalore (29.9) and Bhopal (24.5), while Ahmedabad and Thiruvanathapuram records the lowest incidence (13.4 and 10.9) respectively. Adding further to the irony of the story is the fact that most of these cervical cancer are presented with advanced stages leading to poor prospects of long term survival and cure.

Early on there are typically no specific symptoms for malignancy until the cancer becomes invasive. When women do have symptoms of cervical cancer, they can include: irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, watery vaginal discharge, vaginal discharge tinged with blood, pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse.  The main risk factor for the development of cervical cancer is human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, the genome of HPV has been found in almost all cases of invasive cervical cancer. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, making cervical cancer a chronic disease with an infectious aetiology. Cervical cancer is usually less frequent in young girls and the incidence rises during 30–34 years of age and peaks at 55–65 years, with a median age of 38 years (age 21–67 years). At least 50% of sexually active men and women get HPV infection at some point in their lives. Most women with HPV infection will not develop cancer, and the infection usually resolves spontaneously; however, around 3-10% of women with HPV develops persistent infections, and is at high risk of developing cervical cancer.

As far as the mechanism by which HPV infection causes cervical cancer in such women is concerned, the viral DNA gets incorporated into the human genome which can lead to the conversion of normal cells on the surface of the cervix into cancerous cells.  Initially the cells may develop precancerous changes, also known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which usually goes away spontaneously. However in some cases, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia may progress to invasive cervical cancer (full blown cancer). Albeit, there are various strains of HPV infection, two types : HPV 16 and 18, account for more than 70% of all cervical cancer cases; five other strains: HPV 31, 33, 35, 45, 52 and 58 account for an additional 20% of cases.  Apart from HPV infection, cigarette smoking also increases the risk of cervical cancer.

The key for better management of any cancer depends on how early the cancer is diagnosed. Cervical cancer is also preventable and curable if detected at an early stage. The 5 year survival rate of cervical cancer is 92% when it is detected at the earliest stage, and the combined 5 year survival rate for all stages is 71%. This means that effective cancer screening has successfully decreased cervical cancer incidence and mortality. There are some important laboratory based tests such as Pap smear/Liquid based cytology (simply taking a swab sample from the woman’s cervix and analyzing it in the lab for presence of cancer-like cells), and HPV DNA testing (advanced test which detects the DNA of the causative HPV) which plays a significant role in cervical cancer screening. While Pap smear is less expensive and widely available, they are considered to be less sensitive. In contrast to smear testing, DNA testing is more sensitive but it is also more expensive. Also, molecular test has the ability to detect all 14 high risk HPV type with high sensitivity and specificity.

For effective screening, it is very important to understand how, when and in which age groups these tests need to be used, so that one can get maximum benefit from it. The existing guidelines recommend no annual screening for cervical cancer either by Pap/Cytology test or HPV DNA test before the age of 21 years. For women aged 21 to 29 years, screening with cytology alone every 3 years is recommended. Similarly, women aged between 30 to 65 years should be screened with cytology and HPV testing (“cotesting”) every 5 years (preferred) or cytology alone every 3 years (acceptable).  For women, aged older than 65 years and consistent negative screening with no history of CIN2+ within last 20 years, no more screening for cervical cancer is recommended. In case of any positive result, for instance cytology negative and HPV positive, annual repeat co-testing is recommended and if the co-testing positivity continues then go ahead with colposcopy (method to inspect vagina and cervix with lighted magnifying device for the presence of any abnormality).

Food adulteration is the addition or mixing of inferior, harmful, substandard substances to foods and /or omission of valuable constituents. This spoils the nature and quality of food items andis considered food adulteration. The causes of food adulteration can be primarily divided into the following 4 major etiological factors:

1)       Exposure of food to poisonous or deleterious substances, such as excessive amounts of pesticides and insecticides like DDT in agricultural fields can cause poisonous contamination of edible crops. The addition of several chemicals used to ripen fruits at a faster rate can cause poisonous adulteration.

2)       Filth and extraneous material include any objectionable substances in foods, such as foreign matter (for example, glass, metal, plastic, wood, stones, sand, cigarette butts),undesirable parts of the raw plant material (such as stems, pits in pitted olives, pieces of shell).

3)       Economic Adulteration

 A food is adulterated if it omits a valuable constituent or substitutes another substance, in whole or in part, for a valuable constituent (for instance, olive oil diluted with tea tree oil); conceals damage or inferiority in any manner (such as fresh fruit with food coloring on its surface to conceal defects);or any substance has been added to it or packed with it to increase its bulk or weight, reduce its quality or strength, or make it appear bigger or of greater value than it is (for example, scallops to which water has been added to make them heavier).

4)       Microbiological Contamination and Adulteration

The fact that a food is contaminated with pathogens (harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoa) may, or may not, render it adulterated.

 Generally, for ready-to-eat foods, the presence of pathogens will render the food adulterated. For example, the presence of Salmonella on fresh fruits or vegetables or in ready-to-eat meat or poultry products (such as luncheon meats) will render those products adulterated.

Ready-to-eat meat and poultry products contaminated with pathogens, such as Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes, are adulterated.

 For raw meat or poultry products, the presence of pathogens will not always render a product adulterated (because raw meat and poultry products are intended to be cooked and proper cooking should kill pathogens). Raw poultry contaminated with Salmonella is not adulterated but raw meat or poultry products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 are adulterated.

 This is because normal cooking methods may not reduce E. coli O157:H7 below infectious levels.

 E. coli O157:H7 is the only pathogen that is considered an adulterant when present in raw meat or poultry products.

 Symptoms of food poisoning

Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal cramps, Abdominal Pain, Fever, Fatigue, Malaise, Loss of appetite, Irritability, Weakness, Weight loss.

Effects of food adulteration

Mineral oil added to edible oil and fats can cause cancers.

Lead chromate added to turmeric powder and spices can cause anaemia, paralysis, brain damage and abortions. Lead added to water, natural and processed food can lead to lead poisoning. Lead poisoning causes foot drop, insomnia, constipation, anaemia, and mental retardation.

Cobalt added to water and liquors and can cause cardiac damage.

Copper, tin and zinc can cause colic, vomiting and diarrhoea.

 Mercury in mercury fungicide treated grains or mercury contaminated fish can cause brain damage, paralysis and death.

Non-permitted colour or permitted food colour like metanil yellow, beyond the safe limit in coloured food can cause allergies, hyperactivity, liver damage, infertility, anaemia, cancer and birth defects.

Medical Tests available to diagnose and treat food adulteration

It is a well known fact that Vitamin D is essential for helping the body absorb calcium, so inadequate vitamin D levels can lead to significant and proven health effects such as reduced bone density and potentially increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life, fatigue, bone and muscle pain, muscle weakness and softer bones.

 Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a pandemic. The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is the lack of appreciation that sun exposure in moderation is the major source of vitamin D for most humans. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the human population results from its inadequate cutaneous production through sunlight and low dietary intake. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, such as animal foods, such as fatty fish and fish liver oils. Beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks also contain small amounts. Vegan diet leads to a greater risk of deficiency. Fortified foods, such as cereals , may not supply enough on a daily basis.

Skin colour also has been associated with Vitamin D levels in one’s body. The more melanin in one’s skin, the darker it is. Melanin reduces the skin’s ability to make vitamin D from the sun because darker skin requires more sun to generate the same D as fairer skin. Interestingly, the East African Maasai tribe, living outdoors with minimal clothing, have the best vitamin D levels on the globe.

Many studies have shown that people who work indoors, wear extensive clothing, avoid the sun (shaded hats, sunblock), live in polluted cities, and get their sunlight only through window glass are also at increased risk for deficiency.

It seems that it’s on a genetic level that vitamin D affects so many apparently unrelated parts of the body, thus, Vitamin D deficiency also has other serious consequences on overall health and well-being. There is mounting scientific evidence that implicates vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular heart disease, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, poor concentration and many common deadly cancers.

 A number of studies have linked obesity with vitamin D deficiency. In the Journal of Nutrition, researchers noted that low levels of vitamin D are “highly prevalent” in patients with obesity. A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that vitamin D is less bioavailable in obese people.

Vitamin D deficiency contributes to high blood pressure, diabetes, and inflammation—all of which increase cardiovascular risk. Low levels of vitamin D have been noted in heart attack sufferers and those with atherosclerosis, and may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular risk that accompanies kidney disease. People deficient in vitamin D are much more likely to have high blood pressure. Treatment with vitamin D and calcium significantly lowers systolic blood pressure. Ensuring optimal blood levels of vitamin D may represent a key component of a strategy to prevent and treat coronary disease.

Some studies suggest an association between low vitamin D levels in the blood and various mood disorders, including depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Also vitamin D supplementation may improve symptoms of depression associated with SAD. More research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

There are studies that suggest higher vitamin D levels might be linked to greater risk of other cancers. More studies are needed to find out whether vitamin D deficiency raises a person’s cancer risk. They would also need to know whether taking in more vitamin D than the recommended daily allowance changes this risk. The possible role of vitamin D in treating cancer is still being studied.

Sun exposure is a the cheapest, easy, reliable way for most people to get vitamin D. Exposure of the hands, face, arms, and legs to sunlight two to three times a week may cause the skin to produce enough vitamin D. The necessary exposure time varies with age, skin type, season, time of day, etc. Body fat acts like a kind of storage battery for vitamin D. During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fatty fat and then released when sunlight is gone.

In the last few years, pathology laboratories have noticed an increased influx of fairly healthy individuals visiting them for simultaneous testing of serum Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12 levels. Most of these patients upon interrogation about their clinical history, reveal vague symptoms such as unexplained pain in the upper and lower limbs, back ache, burning and tingling sensation in the feet and hands, weakness, unex­plained awak­en­ings to light sleep and gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating and incomplete evacuation. Incidentally, many of the above mentioned patients lab reports show deficiency of either serum Vitamin B12 levels or Vitamin D levels or both. 

A cross-sectional and interventional study carried out to assess the incidence of vitamin B12 / vitamin D deficiency in male office executives in the tropical city of Mumbai, India. Incidence of vitamin B12 / D3 deficiency among company executives.1 The survey was divided into two phases. Primary aim of the survey was to assess the incidence of vitamin B12 and D3 deficiency among these executives and the second part of the survey aimed to observe the effectiveness of oral supplements of B12/D3.

Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a pandemic2.

The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is the 

lack of appreciation that sun exposure in moderation is the major source of vitamin D for most humans.  

Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D are often inadequate to satisfy either a child's or an adult's vitamin D requirement2.

 Vitamin D deficiency precipitates and exacerbates osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures in adults. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases2. There is mounting scientific evidence that implicates vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular heart disease, and many common deadly cancers3. 

  Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common in elderly,people on vegetarian diet and in pregnant women with poor nutrition. Also, following conditions lead to deficiency:

atrophic gastritis in which one’s stomach lining has thinned,

pernicious anemia leads to malabsorption of vitamin B12;

Surgical removal of part of stomach or small intestine, also weight loss surgery;

Conditions affecting the small intestine, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, bacterial or parasitic infestation

Heavy drinking

Immune system disorders, such as Grave’s disease

Long-term use of acid-reducing drugs.

Effects of Vitamin B12 deficiency could be either anemia or neurological.

Symptoms due to Anemia could be extreme tiredness, lack of appetite, fatigue, lethargy, breathlessness, headache, ringing in the ear, while

Neurological symptoms could be changes or loss of some sense of touch, instability while walking, mood changes, irritability, depression or psychosis, Vision problems

Mouth ulcers

Yellowing of skin.4,5,6,7

  Vigilance of one's vitamin D and vitamin B12 status by the yearly measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum Vitamin B12 levels should be part of one’s annual physical examination

References:

Chaitanya Gulvady, Shyam Pingle and Shrinivas Sahnbag. Incidence of vitamin B12 / D3 deficiency among company executives. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2007 May-Aug; 11(2): 83–85 (PubMed).

 Holick MF, Chen TC.  Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences.Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Apr;87(4):1080S-6S (PubMed).

Holick MF. The vitamin D epidemic and its health consequences. J. Nutr. 2005 Nov;135(11):2739S-48S.

NHS Choices: "Anaemia, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency."

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Extension, USA: "Facts About Vitamin B12."

University of Arizona Arizona Telemedicine Program, USA: "Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Pernicious Anemia."

Why thyroid function tests?

The Thyroid Federation International estimates that there are up to 300 million people worldwide suffering from thyroid dysfunction yet over half are presumed to be unaware of their condition.1

Some information about thyroid gland and the hormones:

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the neck.

The thyroid’s main role is to regulate your metabolism, through the action of thyroid hormone as every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism.

Thyroid hormones act throughout the body, stimulate diverse metabolic activities in most tissues, leading to an increase in basal metabolic rate, and also affect growth and development and body temperature.

Thyroid hormones increase heart rate, cardiac contractility and cardiac output. They also promote vasodilation, which leads to enhanced blood flow to many organs.

Both decreased and increased concentrations of thyroid hormones lead to alterations in mental state. Hypothyroidism causes mental sluggishness, while hyperthyroidism leads to anxiety and nervousness.

Normal levels of thyroid hormone  are necessary for normal reproductive behavior and physiology. Hypothyroidism in particular is commonly associated with infertility.

The thyroid gland takes up iodine, found in many foods and converts it into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body that can absorb iodine. T3 and T4 are then released into the blood stream and are transported throughout the body where they control metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy).

The other hormone which is equally important in thyroid function test is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which is produced in the brain. Its job is to stimulate the thyroid to produce thryroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

To book a Thyroid Function Tests with SRL diagnostics visit http://www.srlworld.com/content/62/find-a-test.html

The main causes of thyroid disease are:

Either excessive thyroid hormone production or hyperthyroidism; associated symptoms being frequent bowel movements, increased appetite, sweating, and weight loss

or

Underproduction  of thyroid hormone or hypothyroidism; symptoms include constipation, sensitivity to cold, and weight gain.

The blood testing for T3, T4 and TSH, confirm the presence of deficiency or an excess of thyroid hormone and, therefore, be used to diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. They do not point to a specific cause. In order to determine a cause of the thyroid abnormality, the doctor will consider the patient's history, physical examination, and medical condition. Further testing might be used to isolate an underlying cause. These tests might include more blood testing for thyroid antibodies, nuclear medicine thyroid scanning, ultrasound of the thyroid gland, and more.

Why testing Free Thyroid hormones is  considered more important than total thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones –T3 and T4 circulate in blood almost completely bound onto transport proteins that convey the hormones to the tissues. However, only the free (unbound) portion of the hormones, ie., FT3 and FT4 are believed to be responsible for the biological action.

 In normal thyroid function, as the concentrations of the carrier proteins changes, the total thyroid hormone levels (TT3 and TT4) also change, while the free functional hormone concentration remains constant. People may have different levels of  transport protein , therefore, their reservoirs of total T4 and total T3 are hugely different for the same FT4 and FT3.

Furthermore, the concentrations of the carrier proteins are altered in many  conditions, such as pregnancy, oral contraceptives and estrogen therapy while the free T3 concentration remains unchanged (in normal individuals).

Measurements of free thyroid hormone concentrations, therefore, correlate more reliably with your clinical status than total thyroid hormone levels. SRL diagnostics offer attractive discounts on preventive health check-ups. Book one for you and your family today http://www.srlworld.com/activity-detail/15/promotional-offer.html

 Also, find a nearest SRL lab http://www.srlworld.com/content/65/find-a-lab.html

The Facts about Diabetes

Diabetes is the most common disease in India today. According to a research, nearly 65 million people in India suffer from Diabetes and the number is said to increase in the coming years. Diabetes is a condition where body does not produce enough amount of insulin to absorb glucose, thus resulting in the increase of blood sugar.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.

  Types of Diabetes

There are two main kinds of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. 

Type-1 diabetes, also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is when pancreas does not produce enough insulin required by the body. It accounts for about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Type-2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is when the pancreas produces right amount of insulin but the body is not able to use that insulin. Type – 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 10% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over. 

  Causes of Diabetes

Obesity is theforemost cause of insulin resistance. Also, Genetic factors are likely to be involved in the cause of Type-2 diabetes. A family history of the disease has been shown to increase the chances of getting it.

Other risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes include:

Old age

Blood vessel disease

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

HIV infection

Obstructive sleep apnea

Polycystic ovary syndrome (POS)

Pre-diabetes or impaired fasting glucose

  Symptoms and Complications of Diabetes

The common symptoms of diabetes are

Frequent urination

Excessive thirst

Unexplained weight loss

Extreme hunger

Sudden vision changes

Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

Constant fatigue

Very dry skin

Sores that are slow to heal

  Treating and Preventing Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition, and it can last for whole life. While Type – 1 diabetes is not preventable, research has shown that Type- 2 diabetes can be prevented with certain lifestyle changes such as exercising and opting for a healthy diet.

For an effective treatment plan one should learn about diabetes, how to manage it and prevent complications.

Following are the three important things to prevent and treat Type-2 diabetes:

Make lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise

Use medication

Monitor blood glucose levels regularly