HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is made up of two subunits: alpha (α), which is common to other hormones like LH, FSH, and TSH, and beta (β), which is unique to HCG. β-HCG is an essential hormone in early pregnancy in clinical practice. It is produced by placental trophoblast cells after fertilisation and serves as a […]
Ferritin is a protein widely distributed across all living organisms, including bacteria, algae, higher plants, animals, and humans. Ferritin stores iron in our cells and indirectly reflects the amount of iron in our body. Iron is important for healthy red blood cells, muscles, bone marrow and organs. Clinical Significance of Ferritin and Interpretation Its clinical […]
Testosterone is a hormone produced by Leydig cells in the male testes and is also present in small amounts in the adrenal glands & Female ovaries. Testosterone is responsible for sex differentiation, development of male secondary sexual characteristics, human sexual desire, & overall male fertility. Testosterone enhances bone density & supports cognitive function such as […]
Prolactin hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and is present in both males and females. It stimulates milk production in the mammary glands after childbirth. Dopamine regulates prolactin secretion by inhibiting its release; any disruption of this regulation may lead to abnormal prolactin levels. It also maintains reproductive health by regulating menstrual cycles […]
Procalcitonin (PCT) , a precursor of the hormone Calcitonin, consists of almost 116 amino acid residues. C-cells of the thyroid gland & neuroendocrine cells in the lungs and intestines secrete Procalcitonin (PCT). PCT is present in very small amounts in the body. In 1993, studies showed that elevated serum PCT levels were positively associated with […]
The discovery of insulin took place in 1921, credited to researchers Frederick Banting and Charles Best, changing diabetes from a life-threatening disease into a manageable condition, especially for individuals who have Type 1 Diabetes. The pancreas produces this hormone and regulates blood sugar levels by enabling cells to take up and store glucose for energy. […]
The C-peptide, also called the connecting peptide, is a 31-amino-acid polypeptide. It is secreted by pancreatic beta cells and is Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy often diagnosed at advanced stages, with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) acting as the primary FDA-approved serum biomarker for management. Despite limitations, including false-positives in benign […]
The C-peptide, also called the connecting peptide, is a 31-amino-acid polypeptide. It is secreted by pancreatic beta cells and is used to assess beta-cell function. It is cleaved from proinsulin to make insulin. It has a longer half-life than insulin and is therefore considered a useful and relatively stable indicator of pancreatic insulin secretion. It […]
Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) is a glycoprotein biomarker used in the medical field for the detection and management of ovarian cancer. CA-125 is found in higher concentrations in the blood of women with ovarian cancer; its applications extend beyond cancer detection, as high levels may also be found in various non-cancerous conditions. Clinical Significance of […]
HIV, HCV, and HBsAg (HHH) detection in blood banks before transfusion is important for disease control, timely diagnosis, and prevention of their transmission, as these 3 markers are highly infectious. Chemiluminescence immunoassay CLIA have superior sensitivity, high specificity & rapid turnaround times compared to ELISA or radioimmunoassay. CLIA technology also facilitates accurate detection of analytes […]
