Deficiency testing for iron, vitamin B12 and folate
Article Abstract:
Anaemia is usually caused by a nutritional deficiency, and it is therefore important to undertake tests to establish which nutrient is deficient and how the deficiency arose. In the case of iron deficiency, there will be a low serum iron and ferritin concentration. Iron status can be assessed with three routine laboratory tests: serum/iron concentration, serum total iron binding capacity and serum/ferritin concentration. There are also three tests available to assess B12 and folate status: serum concentration of vitamin B12, serum concentration of folate and red cell concentration of folate.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1995
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Pathology testing of blood glucose levels
Article Abstract:
Hypoglycemia and hyperglycaemia are symptoms of conditions other than diabetes melllitus, and blood glucose levels need to be measured in order to establish the precise cause of the patient's symptoms. Hyperglycaemia may result from any condition in which there is an unusually high secretion of glucagon, glucocorticoid, adrenaline and growth hormone, while hypoglycaemia can be caused by any condition involving relative insulin excess. Hypoglycaemic symptoms can sometime occur after food, and fasting hypoglycaemia can also be seen in some patients.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1995
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Full blood count (RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and reticulocytes)
Article Abstract:
The full blood count, a common laboratory test, consists of several blood tests. The erthrocyte test is mainly used to investigate anaemia. The tests which show the function of red blood cells are for haemoglobin, packed cell volume or haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and reticulocytes.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
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