Monsoon Health Screening

The Vitamin B12 measures the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. Vitamin B12 is important for a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating DNA in your cells. Low B12 levels are common in older adults, children, vegans or vegetarians, people with diabetes, those who had gastric bypass surgery, breastfeeding women, and people with conditions like Crohn’s disease that affect vitamin absorption. High B12 levels can occur in liver diseases, certain blood disorders, or from taking vitamin supplements. Usually, high levels from supplements are not harmful, as extra B12 is removed through urine.

Diabetic screening includes two set of tests - Glycosylated Hemoglobin test and Glucose - Fasting blood test. 

Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test measures the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in blood which reflects the average blood glucose over a period of past two to three months (8 - 12 weeks).

Hemoglobin is a protein found in Red Blood Cells and is responsible for transporting oxygen. There are different types of hemoglobin among which Hemoglobin A is predominant. With the elevation of blood sugar levels, some glucose binds spontaneously to Hemoglobin A (this binding is called Glycosylation or Glycation) and remains bound for the complete lifetime of the RBC, which is normally 120 days. Higher the level of glucose in the blood, the greater the amount of it binding to Hemoglobin A. Hemoglobin A1c is the dominant form of Glycated Hemoglobin. As RBCs die and get replaced, Hemoglobin A1c is cleared and gets slowly replaced with non-glycosylated hemoglobin. Measurement of HbA1c level over a period of time gives an indication of the level of glucose in the blood over that specific period of time. This not only helps in the diagnosis of Diabetes but also is useful for monitoring the effectiveness of measures taken to reduce blood sugar levels.

Glucose - Fasting Blood Test is done to measure the levels of glucose in blood during the period of fasting.

Glucose is the main source of energy for the body. Carbohydrates consumed in the diet are broken down in the body to form glucose, which is absorbed by the intestines and transported by the blood to various organs. The cells of these organs utilize the glucose to produce energy when required, and the excess is stored either as glycogen in the liver for short-term storage or in fat tissues as triglycerides for long-term storage. The uptake, utilization, and storage of glucose after it has been absorbed in the intestine is facilitated by a hormone called insulin. This hormone is secreted by the pancreas. Insulin influences the transport of glucose to the organs like heart, brain, working muscles, etc. It also directs the storage of excess glucose. These actions of insulin reduces sugar levels in the blood.

After a meal, sugar levels increase in blood, and insulin is secreted in response to reduce the sudden increase in sugar levels until it becomes normal. If in this process glucose levels fall too low in blood, another pancreatic hormone called glucagon is released. This hormone, directs the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose and releases it into the blood. Both these hormones, insulin and glucagon, create a feedback mechanism to keep blood glucose levels within the normal range. Any imbalance in their activity causes an excess or shortage of blood sugar.

Glucose - Fasting blood Test helps to determine if the body is able to utilize or store glucose efficiently. High levels of sugar in blood indicate diabetes or resistance to insulin. Type 1 Diabetes is caused when insulin is not produced or produced in very little quantity. Type 2 Diabetes is caused when insulin is produced but is not being effectively utilized by the body. In both these cases, blood sugar levels rise, while cells remain deprived of nutrition.

A Lipid Profile test assesses the level of specific fat molecules called lipids in the blood and helps determine the risk of heart ailments. This test determines the amount of different types of lipids, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Lipids play a pivotal role in the functioning of the body. They are crucial components of the cell membranes and hormones, provide cushioning, and are a storehouse of energy. Any alterations in the lipid levels may lead to potential heart ailments, making their monitoring crucial.

IgE test measures the amount of IgE (immunoglobulin E) in the blood. It is an antibody produced by the immune system in response to danger. Normally, it is present in very small amounts in the blood. It belongs to the class of immunoglobulins which include five types of immunoglobulins:  IgA, IgG, IgM, IgD, and IgE. 

Immunoglobulins are produced by plasma cells (specific immune cells) when the body recognizes bacteria, viruses, other microorganisms or any other unknown substances as harmful foreign antigens to the immune system. 

The production of IgE is seen in cases of response to allergens such as asthma and response to parasitic infections. Other allergens can include plant pollen, eggs, peanuts, bee venom, strawberries, and other allergens substances. 

These IgE antibodies, once produced, bind to white blood cells and lead to the release of substances like histamine. This further causes constriction of bronchi in the lungs in allergic or asthmatic persons. Other signs and symptoms which can develop in these patients include running nose, skin itching, itchy eyes. 

The severity of the reaction depends upon the body’s exposure to allergens which can be observed from mild reddening and itching of skin to problems in breathing (respiratory distress) to vomiting and diarrhea to conditions of shock.