Diagnostics & Pathology Laboratory - HOD

If an individual feels tired or feverish, one of the most common tests that the doctor may advise is a Complete Blood Count (CBC). It is a reliable way to get a complete overview of an individual’s overall health. This blood test measures key components of the blood, including platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit. Through these parameters early signs of anaemia, infections, inflammation, and even certain chronic conditions can be evaluated even before the appearance of symptoms. Why go for a CBC test ? A CBC is considered a good baseline test to know an individual’s health. Here are some reasons why you need to take a CBC test: Routine health check: This test is generally recommended by doctors to get a clear view of your current health status and identify potential causes of symptoms. Evaluating symptoms: If an individual comes up with symptoms such as chills, fatigue, and fever, a CBC test can help identify the type and severity. Unexplained...

Regular health checkups are essential for everyone, irrespective of their gender. But they are especially important for women. From hormonal imbalances and reproductive health concerns to nutritional deficiencies and the busy schedule, women experience several health challenges at different stages of life. But do not need to worry, regular screening can help detect the potential health issues early and manage wellness.  As we know, women’s roles in the family and society are incredible. However, taking care of your health is just as important. Here, we will explore the importance of a health checkup and why every woman should consider going for one. Why is the women's health care package important? Monitoring your health is not limited to finding certain illnesses; it also focuses on prevention, early detection and overall wellness to maintain a healthy life. Timely help is also needed to find out underlying health conditions like anaemia, thyroid disorder, diabetes, and hormonal ...

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) is a common health condition faced by young women between 18 – 30 years of age. It happens because of hormonal changes in the body. It is charcterised by an imbalance in a woman’s hormones. Women with PCOD also suffer from complaints such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart problems. PCOD is also referred to as PMOS. Symptoms The symptoms may appear during the first menstrual cycle, but in some cases, they could occur later in life. The signs may vary from person to person and may shift over time. While for some there might be mild changes or none at all, for some these symptoms could be noticeable. If at least two of these symptoms are present, it is referred to as PMOS. If you live in Delhi-NCR or Mumbai, do an online search to find out the PCOD profile test price . The symptoms may include: Irregular, missed or infrequent menstrual periods Excessive hairs in areas such as the face, chest and back Devel...

Getting pregnant is a dream for many women once they reach a certain age or get married, but this dream is not easy to achieve. With the rise in fertility issues, there is an increase in women experiencing difficulty getting pregnant. Doctors and healthcare professionals often recommend starting fertility tests if you have not been able to conceive even after trying for more than a year on a regular basis. For further understanding, let’s get into detail. Common causes of Infertility in Women? Pregnancy requires the process of ovulation and fertilization, and irregularities in these processes lead to infertility. Sometimes, it is innate in couples, but in other cases, the causes can develop over time. The common causes of female infertility that should not be ignored are: Eating disorders or too much exercise Issues with your uterus, like fibroids, polyps, or scarring inside the uterus cavity Hormonal imbalance, thyroid conditions and high stress can affect the ovulation process. A low...

Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy is an innovative radionuclide therapy that is used to kill cancer cells in advanced prostate cancer cases. This nuclear medicine therapy specifically targets a molecule on the surface of prostate cancer cells called PSMA. PSMA is also the same molecule to which the PET imaging agents bind in case of prostate cancer.  Lutetium-177 is a radioactive isotope that emits beta particles (high-energy electrons), giving it the capability of direct radiation. This allows the targeted destruction of cancer cells while minimising damage to surrounding tissue. In addition, Lu-177 also emits gamma rays, which help track the treatment and confirm that the radioactive agent has reached the tumour. How does this therapy work? In this procedure, the Lutetium-177 drug is administered intravenously to the body, where it reaches the cancer cells through the bloodstream and destroys them by emitting radiation. The low level of radiation lights up the cancer cells on a positron ...

Troponin is a protein that is found both in cardiac and skeletal muscles and is needed for the contraction of these muscles. It stays inside the heart muscle’s cells and appears only in case the muscle is damaged, like in the case of a heart attack. While many conditions can cause elevated levels of troponin, a heart attack is the most common.  In the case of heart muscle damage, two types of troponin are more notcieable: Troponin I (cTnI): It is unique to heart muscle Troponin T (cTnT): Although it exists in other types of muscle, the amount is very limited. Troponin T in the heart muscle also has a slightly different structure that doesn’t occur anywhere else in your body. What is a Trop T test? A Troponin T test is performed to look for the level of troponin in a blood sample. In case of a heart attack, blood flow that brings oxygen to part of the heart muscle suddenly gets blocked, leading to damage or death to part of the heart muscle cells and release of troponin. Elevated l...

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder that causes breathing to stop and start several times during sleep. These obstructions can reduce airflow to the lungs and disturb normal sleep patterns. This condition happens when the muscles of the throat relax excessively, causing the soft tissues at the back of the airways to collapse temporarily. Signs and symptoms People with sleep apnea may experience:  Loud, persistent snoring Gasping, choking or coughing during sleep Pauses in breathing Feeling tired Excessive daytime drowsiness Morning headaches Difficulty concentrating Gastroesophageal reflux (GE reflux) Frequent nocturnal urination Mood changes or irritability When is this test recommended? It is advised if an individual expeirences symptoms such as: Sleepwalking or sleep talking Night terrors Excessive daytime sleepiness Insomnia Restless legs syndrome Narcolepsy Loud snoring on a regular basis Repeated awakenings during the night Morning heada...

Good health is considered the foundation of a fulfilling life. However, today’s fast-paced lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, stress and inadequate rest have contributed to a growing number of health concerns affecting people across all age groups. A full body checkup is an effective way to assess an individual’s overall health and monitor vital parameters for the early detection of any underlying condition. A routine preventive health check-up generally includes tests such as complete blood count (CBC), cholesterol profile, liver function test, kidney function test, lipid profile, blood sugar fasting, thyroid test, urine routine examination, and more. These tests help evaluate the functioning of various organs and identify possible health risks before symptoms appear. For example, a cardiac health checkup provides valuable insights into the condition of the heart, blood vessels, and circulatory system. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain one of the leading causes of death worldwide...

Tacrolimus is a powerful immunosuppressive drug that is commonly prescribed to people who have undergone an organ transplant. It is usually given alongside other medicines to help prevent the body's immune system from attacking the transplanted organ. Doctors may prescribe this drug after a heart, liver or kidney transplant, in order to reduce the risk of rejection and improve the procedural success rate. The human body's immune system rejects a transplanted organ as it considers it to be a threat. Tacrolimus works by reducing the activity of specific immune cells known as T-lymphocytes, helping the body accept the new organ. Types of organ rejection: Hyperacute rejection: This form of rejection occurs within minutes or hours after the transplant. It is usually caused by the inability between the donor’s and recipient’s blood types or pre-existing antibodies. Acute Rejection: It most commonly develops during the first few weeks or months following a transplant. This type of r...