Clinical Diagnostics Directory

Antioxidant Testing What are antioxidants? Clinical chemistry uses chemical processes to measure levels of chemical components in the blood. An antioxidant is a chemical that prevents the oxidation of other chemicals and is detected by antioxidant testing. In biological systems, the normal processes of oxidation (plus a minor contribution from ionizing radiation) produce highly reactive free radicals. These can readily react with and damage other molecules: in some cases the body uses this to fight infection. In other cases, the damage may be to the body's own cells. The presence of extremely easily oxidisable compounds in the system can "mop up" free radicals before they damage other essential molecules.

diabetes markers Clinical chemistry tests for diabetes markers Each year, more than 80,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes, a disorder in which the body doesn't produce enough insulin (the hormone needed to extract glucose, the body's main source of energy, from the blood) or is resistant to the action of insulin. Diabetes is one of the most common and serious chronic diseases in this country. Clinical chemistry tests for diabetes markers can help diagnose the disease early on with a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The sooner you detect diabetes, the more quickly you can treat it and prevent serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems.

disease markers Clinical chemistry: disease markers A clinician relies on several sources of information to determine what is wrong with a patient and what treatment to use. Normally, the first area to investigate is the patient’s symptoms. Symptoms • What are the symptoms? • How long have the symptoms been present? • Information on the patient’s lifestyle and working environment that may contribute. • The patient’s medical history Physical examination Depending on the patient’s symptoms the clinician will carry out various physical tests. These include: • Blood pressure • Breathing • Pulse • Test for reflexes • Examine the affected part of the body If necessary the clinician will also collect a sample, e.g. blood or urine, and request a number of laboratory tests for disease markers.

lipid profiling Clinical chemistry: lipid profiling About lipoproteins Lipoproteins are lipid-protein complexes that transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. They are HDL, LDL, IDL and VLDL cholesterol, and chylomicrons. The lipoproteins have similar structures but are different sizes, densities and compositions. They exist in a state of dynamic equilibrium, transferring cholesterol and triglycerides between each other. Individual lipoproteins can change size and density or be converted into other lipoproteins. Relative lipoprotein sizes Lipoprotein structure The outer shell is a monolayer of polar lipids: phospholipids and free cholesterol. The core contains neutral lipids: triglycerides and cholesterol esters. Apolipoproteins are structural components that form part of the outer shell of the lipoprotein or bind to the outside. Apolipoproteins interact with transport proteins and lipoprotein receptors and act as enzyme cofactors.

renal monitoring Blood and urine tests are routinely carried out in a clinical chemistry laboratory to evaluate acute renal failure and for renal monitoring. They can detect a build up of waste products in the blood and chemical imbalances in the body and may help diagnose an underlying disease or infection. The kidney regulates the chemical composition of body fluids by selective filtration of blood through the glomerular basement membrane. The movement of molecules through the membrane is dependent upon their size, plasma concentration and electrical charge. In healthy kidneys, most protein molecules are too large to cross the basement membrane. Damage to the glomerular basement membrane in the kidney can alter its permeability. This enables large protein molecules, such as albumin, to pass through the membrane into the urine, resulting in proteinuria.

clinical chemistry tests The clinical chemistry laboratory and clinical chemistry tests Randox manufacture diagnostic kits to suit the needs of all clinical chemistry laboratories. Routine assays are combined with specialist tests in probably the most comprehensive product range available from any manufacturer of diagnostics in the world. Randox reinvest 28% of gross income on research and development, enabling extensive investigation of the latest technical developments in assay design and instrument operation. Assay methodologies cover a range of techniques including routine colormetric assays and immunoturbidimetric methods. Pack size variety offers the customer flexibility and versatility without compromising the exceptional performance expected from Randox products.

C-reactive protein (CRP) testing Clinical chemistry: C-reactive protein (CRP) testing C-reactive protein C-reactive protein (CRP) is a member of the group of acute phase reactants whose plasma concentration changes in response to a variety of inflammatory states including infection and trauma. It is found at low concentrations in the serum of normal patients. During the acute phase response of an inflammatory reaction CRP levels are elevated and measurements may be useful for the detection of infection, tissue injury, inflammatory disorders and associated diseases. CRP levels within the normal range have been associated with coronary heart disease in high-risk individuals therefore C-reactive protein (CRP) testing can be used as part of a coronary heart disease risk assessment. CRP levels within the normal range may be affected by a number of different factors and should always be compared to previous values.

HDL cholesterol testing Clinical chemistry: HDL cholesterol testing About lipoproteins Lipoproteins are lipid-protein complexes that transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. They are HDL, LDL, IDL and VLDL cholesterol, and chylomicrons. The lipoproteins have similar structures but are different sizes, densities and compositions. They exist in a state of dynamic equilibrium, transferring cholesterol and triglycerides between each other. Individual lipoproteins can change size and density or be converted into other lipoproteins. Relative lipoprotein sizes The outer shell is a monolayer of polar lipids: phospholipids and free cholesterol. The core contains neutral lipids: triglycerides and cholesterol esters. Apolipoproteins are structural components that form part of the outer shell of the lipoprotein or bind to the outside. Apolipoproteins interact with transport proteins and lipoprotein receptors and act as enzyme cofactors.

laboratory medicine testing Clinical chemistry testing Randox has one of the most extensive ranges of clinical chemistry products in the world and is an internationally recognised leader in biochip array technology, reagent development and quality control sera for laboratory medicine. Randox offer a full menu of testing choices for all the major laboratory disciplines including clinical chemistry, immunology, microbiology, virology, molecular diagnostics, recombinant proteins and polyclonal antibodies.

LDL cholesterol testing Clinical chemistry: LDL cholesterol testing About lipoproteins Lipoproteins are lipid-protein complexes that transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. They are HDL, LDL, IDL and VLDL cholesterol, and chylomicrons. The lipoproteins have similar structures but are different sizes, densities and compositions. They exist in a state of dynamic equilibrium, transferring cholesterol and triglycerides between each other. Individual lipoproteins can change size and density or be converted into other lipoproteins. Relative lipoprotein sizes Lipoprotein structure

lipoproteins testing Clinical chemistry: lipoproteins testing About lipoproteins Lipoproteins are lipid-protein complexes that transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. They are HDL, LDL, IDL and VLDL cholesterol, and chylomicrons. The lipoproteins have similar structures but are different sizes, densities and compositions. They exist in a state of dynamic equilibrium, transferring cholesterol and triglycerides between each other. Individual lipoproteins can change size and density or be converted into other lipoproteins. Relative lipoprotein sizes Lipoprotein structure The outer shell is a monolayer of polar lipids: phospholipids and free cholesterol. The core contains neutral lipids: triglycerides and cholesterol esters. Apolipoproteins are structural components that form part of the outer shell of the lipoprotein or bind to the outside. Apolipoproteins interact with transport proteins and lipoprotein receptors and act as enzyme cofactors.

total bile acids testing Clinical chemistry: total bile acids testing What are bile acids? Bile acids are synthesised in the liver as a breakdown product of cholesterol and secreted into the gall bladder. They are released into the small intestine where they solubilise dietary lipids such as cholesterol, aiding their absorption into the bloodstream. Bile acids are reabsorbed from the portal blood by hepatocyte extraction and re-excreted into bile for reuse. They pass through the enterohepatic circulation several times before final excretion. A proportion escapes into the circulation and can be measured in serum. The efficiency of bile acids extraction from the blood declines with decreasing liver function, causing the serum bile acids level to rise. The measurement of bile acids is a sensitive indicator of liver function. Bile acids levels also rise when bile flow is reduced or blocked (cholestasis) and additional bile acids escape into the bloodstream.

veterinary testing Clinical chemistry: veterinary testing A vet is a specialist in veterinary medicine. Veterinary medicine is much like clinical medicine with the same techniques, tests and procedures performed. Many forms of veterinary testing are identical to those used in clinical chemistry and hospital medicine. Vets specialise in a number of disciplines: companion animals, avian, equine, livestock, exotic and laboratory animal medicine for example. Avian, equine and exotic animal vets require additional specialist training and certification. Apart from the care of animals, vets may be involved in public health medicine such as food safety and epidemiology, environmental medicine, research or teaching. Veterinary medicine is a competitive field to enter, requiring extensive veterinary experience, good grades at schools and around five years of undergraduate study. Veterinary technicians are similar to nurses and require a two-year training program. They may not diagnose disease, prescribe medication or perform surgery but they will collect specimens, perform laboratory procedures and care for animals. Veterinary assistants require no training. A great deal of veterinary expertise from all disciplines is required in zoos and in environmental conservation.

microalbumin tests Clinical chemistry and microalbumin tests Microalbumin tests performed in urine and are done to detect protein (albumin) in the urine, a condition called microalbuminuria, that means your kidneys have been damaged. Early detection may change treatment in an effort to preserve as much kidney function as possible. How is it used? Random microalbumin tests or a microalbumin/creatinine ratio are frequently ordered as a screening test on patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, that put them at an increased risk of developing kidney failure. Studies have shown that identifying the very early stages of kidney disease (microalbuminuria) helps patients and doctors adjust treatment. With better control of diabetes and hypertension, the progression of diabetic kidney disease can be slowed or prevented. A timed microalbumin test (4 hour or overnight) may be ordered as an alternative-screening tool. If significant amounts of microalbumin are detected with these screening tests, they may be confirmed with a 24-hour microalbumin test

invitro reagents Clinical chemistry laboratory and invitro reagents Randox produces and markets invitro reagents and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products to aid the provision of effective diagnosis, prediction and prevention of disease for conditions both in laboratory medicine and veterinary medicine. The difference diagnostics can make Randox hopes to spread awareness of the value of diagnostics in the wider arena of healthcare. New diagnostic opportunities with biochip array technology means that diagnostics is really coming of age, offering exciting opportunities in not only disease treatment, but also prevention. Cytokines and growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, cardiovascular risk, tumour monitoring, fertility, diabetes invitro reagents and infectious diseases are just a few of the areas where real breakthroughs are proving possible. Randox is a UK based company with offices and sales distribution agents worldwide we specialise in the field of in vitro diagnostics for clinical chemistry and biochip array technology for medical, research and veterinary applications. Randox designs, develops, manufactures and markets reagents and systems for in vitro diagnostics.