MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'blood test'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:03:03 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103338&cid=t_129346_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fresearch-finds-success-in-small-cheap-and-strong-test-for-hiv-and-syphilis%2F2011.08.06 Researchers from Columbia University have developed a “lab on a chip” HIV and syphilis test, and are now reporting the first results from tests in the field conducted in Rwanda. The mChip, as it is called, is the size of a credit card and replicates all steps of an ELISA test, at a lower total material cost and within 20 minutes. After application of a blood sample, the chip is inserted into a $100 battery-powered handheld analyzer. It needs only 1 μl of unprocessed whole blood and does not require any user interpretation of the signal, providing a clear-cut yes or no result. Right now, HIV testing in developing countries either relies on expensive laboratory testing taking a long time, or uses cheaper methods based on lateral flow, which, although very rapid, do not provide very reli... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103338 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:00:08 +0100 5103338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050780&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fhow-vitrifying-ivf-embryos-helps-to.html Fresh or frozen embryos – which are betterView more presentations from Aniruddha Malpani. (Source: The Patient's Doctor) The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050780 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 02:47:00 +0100 5050780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028518&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F07%2Ffinally-pregnant-after-frozen-et.html Here's a heartfelt success story from one of our patients.I think our journey to IVF started like for most couples. First, we got married and were perfectly content childless. Then, we started thinking about when to have kids and soon decided that “now” was the right time. After a few months, I started to read more and more on the internet about the fertile days, printed out ovulation calendars, and made temperature charts. Finally, I bought one of those electronic ovulation kits and invested quite some money in these gadgets. Well, but that still didn’t make me pregnant.My gynecologist said everything was fine, apart from two fibroids, but that shouldn’t matter. My husband, reluctantly, had his sperm tested and it seemed fine, too. So why did it not work?I tried a few rounds of cl... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028518 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:55:00 +0100 5028518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911599&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fhappy-patient-from-kolkata.html Hi, We are from Kolkata and this is our story that we would like to share.First of all, would like to extend our warm gratitude to Dr.Aniruddha & Dr.Anjali Malpani, and their staff making our IVF treatment a SUCCESS !!!I am on the ninth week of pregnancy now and hoping and always pray it will be a SUCCESS until the baby is born.We tried 4 times IVF in Kolkata but every time we were disappointed, then from the website of Drmalpani we come to know about Dr Malpani.We were extremely happy by his instant response of all our queries by email . We reached Mumabi and went through the blood test where we found that my AMH level is low and we totally lost our hope. But Dr. advised us to go and take a chance with IVF and we followed his advise.And in my first attempt with him I got pregnant.The ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911599 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 02:37:00 +0100 4911599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841470&cid=t_129346_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FUVPUfba99ew%2F This article was originally published on msnbc.com on May 17th. Related posts:Genetic Test Kits for Sale Over the Counter: Good or Bad Idea? Take our Poll Long Live the Greeks…But Will They Prosper? Have Your Cake and Live It Too (Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care) Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841470 Thu, 19 May 2011 13:05:58 +0100 4841470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758804&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fwaiting-for-doctor.html This is a guest post from a very thoughtful patient of mine. I know many IVF patients will be able to identify with her experience . I just wish more doctors would read this as well, so they can provide more support to IVF patients !When you do ivf as a medical tourist soon you'll find out you have become a traveller between the worlds. Between continents and between medical worlds: "normal" obstetrics and ivf. Unexpectingly it turns out to be much easier finding an ivf doctor in India than finding an obstetric gynecologist in your home town. And once you are lucky enough to get an appointment, you are faced with different treatment concepts: pregnancy in obstetrics and pregnancy in ivf are a world apart it seems. Unless you are already established with an ob gyn - not so likely; you would... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758804 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 04:50:00 +0100 4758804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4719949&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fi-have-low-amh-level-what-should-do-i.html For older infertile women, AMH ( anti-Mullerian hormone, also known as MIS ( Mullerian inhibiting substance) has become the new FSH . AMH is a very good marker for egg quality - and provides us with a quantitative measure for egg quality and quality.In the past, we had to depend upon FSH levels. A high FSH level suggests poor ovarian reserve, but FSH levels are not very reliable, because they vary according to which day of the cycle the test is done; and can also be artificially suppressed by a high estradiol levelAMH is a much better marker for ovarian reserve. It does not vary from cycle to cycle; and remains the same throughout the cycle. A low AMH suggests you have poor ovarian reserve - but even if your level is low, this does not mean you should panic !Remember that it's just a test ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4719949 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:28:00 +0100 4719949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4631550&cid=t_129346_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D220 What’s the next step when a biomarker test is positive for cancer but the tumor is too small to be detected with either ultrasound or X-rays?  Several years ago, I reported on the BT Blood test (Provista Diagnostics), a revolutionary test for breast cancer.  Since then, Power3 Medical entered the market with their BC-SeraPro test.  These new biomarker lab tests have the ability to diagnose cancer at just a few cells. How good are breast cancer blood tests?  Digital mammography has an accuracy rate for women under age 50 at 84%; film mammography, 69%.  The published results for the BT test reflect 97% accuracy.   For women over 50, digital mammography has an accuracy rate at 77%; film, 75%; BT, 86% accuracy.   So what do you do when a blood test comes up positive for breast cance... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4631550 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:25:11 +0100 4631550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570603&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fspringtime-in-mumbai-ivf-success-story.html My husband and I have been married for seven years, and are now 11 weeks pregnant! Even with the euphoria of this moment I don’t want to forget the journey of three years that brought us here, and Dr. Malpani and his team have been like a guiding light in this.The ‘TTC’ CoupleWe wanted the first few years of our marriage for ourselves and made the most of them by traveling all we wanted, my establishing myself in my career and having time with each other. After the fourth year we started trying for a baby, once the initial 7-8 months were over we started to think that we should get a medical opinion so that we can eliminate the possibility of a problem or rectify it if there’s one. We met our OB&G and she suggested a few basic tests, based on these she started some medication f... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570603 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:10:00 +0100 4570603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517236&cid=t_129346_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D196 A blood test that can identify obstructive coronary artery disease in its early stages?  Talk about an impact considering over 17 million Americans suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD), a treatable disease if diagnosed early.  Technologies such as PET, CTA, and MRI have come a long way in assisting in diagnosing CAD before a cath lab is required, but due to safety concerns and a cost-sensitive environment, they are not prescribed until symptoms appear. The Corus CAD blood test is designed to measure a patient’s genetic activity as an indicator for CAD and uses 23 genes as biomarkers for plaque build up and inflammatory disease.  Combined with an algorithm that adds clinical data such as age and sex, the test provides a numeric score of 1 to 40; the higher the value, the greater t... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517236 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:33:42 +0100 4517236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419284&cid=t_129346_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FlPZS9ZfA6Hc%2F Discussion focused on Brain Fitness, to take place on Monday March 14th in honor of Brain Awareness Week 2011 (March 14-20th). Let’s discuss burning issues together: Why care about neuroplasticity and the possibilities it offers to enrich our quality of life? What does cognitive reserve research mean to the way we learn, work, play, live? What is Brain Training — and what is not? All the conversation be virtual, via social media tools. You can learn more here. This edition of SharpBrains monthly eNewslet­ter brings many articles on those topics. Enjoy! Research Bites The value of neuroimaging: Researcher Joaquin Anguera from UCSF shares with us what a par­tic­i­pant goes through when vol­un­teering for a neu­ro­science exper­i­ment these days. How to boost self-control: Dav... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419284 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:47:10 +0100 4419284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405864&cid=t_129346_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D158 CMS has assigned a new CPT code (86318QW) for 31 quick, low-cost immunoassay blood tests for Helicobacter pylori.  But, unless you have had an ulcer or are in the GI field, you may not know what Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is.  H. pylori is a bacteria that in the 1980s was found to cause 90% of all peptic ulcers.  With ulcers costing hospitals $3 billion a year to treat, coverage for H. pylori tests could save a significant amount. Currently, there are multiple tests for diagnosing H. pylori, ranging form antibody tests run on blood, urine, or stool samples to obtaining a biopsy sample.  The most recent is C13/C14 urea breath test.  Clinical trials have revealed that immunoassay blood tests have 96% sensitivity and 79% specificity.  In comparison, 13C breath tests have 95% sensit... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405864 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:59:06 +0100 4405864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399677&cid=t_129346_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fk7HhdSXLx0w%2F This article from the Washington Post explains how neuroplasticity will help Rep. Gabrielle Giffords recover from her brain injury: brain reorganization after injury is far more common and extensive than previously thought … neuroplasticity depends to a great degree on experience — which is to say, what the brain is forced to do in the critical weeks and months after it is injured. When an area with a specific function is destroyed, the brain first attempts to recruit nearby cells, which are often doing similar tasks, to change and perform the function of the destroyed cells. . 2. In this study, Dr. Yaffe and her colleagues measured risks of Alzheimer’s by measuring beta amyloid (the protein fragment that makes up Alzheimer’s plaque) levels in the blood. They found that the less ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399677 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:07:27 +0100 4399677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372046&cid=t_129346_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsimple-blood-test-for-cancer-breakthrough-or-nightmare%2F2011.01.19 That’s the question Dartmouth’s Dr. Gil Welch asks in a column on the CNN website. He reflects on [recent] news about a test in development that might find a single cancer cell among a billion healthy ones — as so many news stories framed it. Welch analyzes: “But it’s not that simple. The test could just as easily start a cancer epidemic. … Most assume there are no downsides to looking for things to be wrong. But the truth is that early diagnosis is a double-edged sword. While it has the potential to help some, it always has a hidden side-effect: overdiagnosis, the detection of abnormalities that are not destined to ever bother people in their lifetime. Becoming a patient unnecessarily has real human costs. There’s the anxiety of being told you ar... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372046 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:00:29 +0100 4372046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361084&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fpersistent-determined-infertile-nri.html Both my husband and I, born in India but raised almost entirely abroad (he in US, myself all over the world), met purely by chance in 2007 and got married soon after. I'm a career woman who got married very young and had put off having children when I became single again at 25. My husband had also married young and had 4 children, and found himself suddenly single again. After a whirlwind courtship and traditional Indian wedding, I was overwhelmed by gaining an instant family, but also felt a deep longing to experience motherhood for myself. However, I also had a complicated gynecological history and age was not on my side (I am 47), so did not share my husband's hopes that I would ever become a mother (other than through adoption). My husband and I tried one (very expensive) IVF cycle in ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361084 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:59:00 +0100 4361084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309542&cid=t_129346_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fblood-test-developed-detect-cancer%2F Massachusetts General Hospital and the Veridex subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson are developing a new blood test that might be able to detect a single cancer cell in a person’s body. The hope is to have the test available for general population use within five years. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309542 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:33:05 +0100 4309542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4304945&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fwhy-hcg-blood-test-is-better-than-home.html Blood tests for checking the beta HCG level are better than home urine pregnancy tests for the following reasons.1. They are more accurate , sensitive and reliable. A negative test ( HCG level of less than 10 mIU/ml) can reliably rule out a pregnancy with 100% accuracy. Urine tests are not as reliable or accurate. This is because they can have false negatives. A false negative is the situation when a woman is pregnant, but the urine pregnancy test comes back as negative. This can be because her HCG levels are low, so that they cannot be picked up by the urine test ( which becomes positive only after the blood HCG levels cross more than about 30-50 mIU/ml). Other reasons the urine test can be incorrectly negative is when it’s not done properly by the patient ( who is not an expert, after... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4304945 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:57:00 +0100 4304945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105787&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Funexplained-infertility-vs-incompletely.html Many patients are diagnosed with having unexplained infertility. This means that all their fertility tests - semen analysis; hormonal blood tests ( FSH,LH,PRL,TSH and AMH) for egg quality; HSG ( hysterosalpingogram) for tubal patency; and ultrasound scanning for ovulation monitoring are normal.This can be a very frustrating diagnosis for patients. " But doctor, if everything is normal, then why aren't I getting pregnant ? " Patients are never happy with doctors who honestly answer - We do not know ! Patients expect a scientific definitive answer from their doctor who is meant to be an expert - and if a doctor cannot provide this, then be mustn't be very competent at his job is the natural conclusion many of them jump to . The truth is that our technology for identifying problems is still v... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105787 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 02:19:00 +0100 4105787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4055815&cid=t_129346_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D56 I’m sure I’m not the only one who wonders why an early diagnosis for Alzheimer’s is so important if there is no cure.  In fact, there are several drugs out that can slow the disease progression and several on the way that promise to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s.  Considering Alzheimer’s costs over $170 billion each year and is the seventh leading cause of death, early diagnosis can be crucial. Currently, PET scans are the only FDA-approved test to diagnose Alzheimer’s.  Other tests, such as clinical assessment, spinal fluid (tau protein), and EEGs, are used together in a process of elimination, diagnosing the disease with 80 to 90% accuracy.  Unfortunately, this combination of tests can total thousands of dollars and is far too expensive to be considered as a scre... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4055815 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:18:11 +0100 4055815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718475&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fdid-doctor-cheat-us.html I got this email from a patient today.I am 28 years old . I require your help. Recently I had a IVF done through the doctor based in Mumbai. The doctor had extracted around 10 ovums and informed that they were of very good quality.Ovum pickup was on 1st June and he got 6 healthy embryos and he transferred 3 healthy embryos on 3rd june and advised complete bed rest with progesterone tablets to be inserted in the vagina and other injections and tablets etc. He was saying many times that everything is fine and confirmed 110% pregnancy as everything was fine. My uterus was strong etc. etc. I had blood test done on 19th June and it confirmed pregnancy. I was very happy. Later again on 24th when the blood test was done he said the foetus did not grew properly and got aborted. I started bleeding ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718475 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:11:00 +0100 3718475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706641&cid=t_129346_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwould-you-take-a-blood-test-that-predicts-menopause%2F photo: Thinkstock A study presented today showed that a simple blood test could predict when women as young as their 20s could start menopause. Researchers say this test could help women make reproductive decisions about when to start a family. For instance, if a woman knows she’ll start menopause at 46, she might opt to start a family much earlier. And the predictions have generally been accurate within about three to four months. We’re not so sure about this development. While this info would definitely be handy for family planning, we don’t know if we’d want to know the age that menopause would hit us. We feel like it might make us dread the future entirely, and become hypersensitive to every little change in our bodies. What do you think? Would you want to know ... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706641 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:51:54 +0100 3706641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666045&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fdo-all-indian-infertile-women-have-tb.html I seem to be seeing an epidemic of tuberculosis ( TB ) these days ! Practically all Indian patients who come to me have been treated with anti TB drugs ! Most gynecologists now routinely test theendometrium ( uterine lining) for TB using a new generation of fancy ( and very expensive !) tests such as PCR ( polymerase chain reaction) . In the past, the only test available for making a diagnosis of TB was by growing the TB bacillus in the laboratory; or by finding tubercles on histological examination. However, both these methods are quite insensitive.This is why PCR was introduced with great hope. This test amplifies a specific segment of DNA and labs believed that finding DNA sequences unique to the tubercle bacillus in the endometrial tissue would help to make a unequivocal diagnosis of T... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666045 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:43:00 +0100 3666045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662874&cid=t_129346_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myelomablog.com%2F2010%2F06%2F14%2Ftest-results-and-other-stuff%2F I had blood drawn on 6/3, and got the results back today. Test: Result (Normal Range) IGG: 455 (600-1700) IGM: 34 (35-290) IGA: 466 (40-400) This is from last time, so you can see there’s not much change! IGG: 466 (600-1700) IGM: 31 (35-290) IGA: 408 (40-400) I found a new web site that I’m still checking out.  It has details about lab tests and other info. http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/ Anyway, the doc says I’m still smoldering! I was at Five Points Pet Resort a couple of weeks ago, where this green-winged macaw engaged us.  He has a lot of personality! (Source: beth's myeloma blog) beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662874 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:17:34 +0100 3662874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648627&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fgames-doctors-play-with-hcg-levels.html Image via WikipediaFor a patient going through an IVF cycle, the most important number is the HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) level - also known as the beta. HCG is a chemical produced by the embryo, and is the embryo's signal to the mother that pregnancy has occurred. In a non-pregnant woman, the HCG level is less than 10 mIU/ml. A level of more than 10 mIU/ml is considered to be positive, and means that the embryo has implanted. Many IVF doctors are very creative in manipulating the HCG results and in interpreting them, because they want to inflate their success rates !How do they fool their patients ?1. They give HCG injections during the luteal phase, after the embryo transfer, claiming this is for "luteal phase support". This HCG is then detected in the blood when doing the HCG blo... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648627 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:13:00 +0100 3648627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3633446&cid=t_129346_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffood-allergy-or-not-new-test-in-the-works%2F2010.06.06 Current methods of testing people for food allergies aren’t particularly precise, leaving many people to falsely think that they have a condition that they really don’t. MIT chemical engineer Christopher Love is working on a new test based on cytokines that may prove to be substantially faster and more reliable. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3633446 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 11:00:02 +0100 3633446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490706&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fpoor-ovarian-reserve-as-cause-of.html One of the most frustrating diagnosis for infertile couples is that of unexplained infertility. In once sense, this is a " non-diagnosis" - it's a confession of our ignorance, and means that we do not know why the couple is not getting pregnant.Infertile patients find it very hard to understand why doctors cannot pinpoint the problem. Their major fear is that if the doctor cannot even find the problem, how will he be able to solveit ? Even worse, every menstrual cycle is a mixture of hope and dread. Every missed period may represent a pregnancy - finally ! And every time the period starts, the hopes are dashed and the waiting begins all over again !The good news is that as our technology improves, and we learn more about about reproductive biology, we have developed better tools to diagnos... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490706 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:22:00 +0100 3490706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456740&cid=t_129346_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fone-number-all-women-who-are-planning.html Many women these days are postponing having a baby in order to pursue a career. The good news is that while usually fertility does not decline too much until the age of 32, for some women the decision to postpone childbearing can prove to be one they bitterly regret later on. Fertility does decline as a woman grows older, and the problem is that it is not possible to predict the rate of decline for an individual woman. Most women are lulled into a false sense of security if they have regular period, because they assume that if their periods are regular, this automatically means that their egg quality if enough for them to make babies !Unfortunately, this is not always true - and for some women, while their egg quality is enough for them to produce enough hormones to get regular periods, it... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456740 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:09:00 +0100 3456740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284545&cid=t_129346_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F03%2Ftoxicology-conundrum-005%2F A 20 year-old male was walking in rural New South Wales (Australia!) when he noticed a brown-coloured snake. He was startled and stepped backwards onto a tree branch which snapped under his weight. He then saw the snake slither away. Relieved that the danger had passed, he walked on. A few minutes later he glanced [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284545 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:00:02 +0100 2284545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2270488&cid=t_129346_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F03%2Fpfo-and-the-consequences%2F “PFO”… “Not another TLA”, I hear you groan… PFO is a three letter acronym that stands for “pissed, fell over”… A disturbingly frequent presenting complaint to emergency departments around the world. Here’s a bar chart showing the pattern of injuries that result from PFOs, according to blood alcohol concentration: The bottom line according to @precordialthump: At a BAC of about [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2270488 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:02:34 +0100 2270488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879645&cid=t_129346_123_f&fid=39040&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsense.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fdo-you-need-to-worry-about-your-childs.html As weight problems in children increase in this country, so do earlier cases of diabetes and heart disease. High cholesterol levels can contribute to premature heart disease in some kids. Children who are overweight or obese are at higher risk, as are those with a family history of certain heart problems. For more information, check out this video and accompanying article, and ask your pediatrician if your child should be tested. (Source: Dr. Shu Says) Dr. Shu Says blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879645 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:47:00 +0100 2879645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2257466&cid=t_129346_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FBB3N31RCw7I%2F (Double click on any word for definition) Hemoglobin contains 4 heme groups and each heme group contains Fe2+ When Fe2+ gets oxidized to Fe3+ it is called MetHb MetHb not only reduces the oxygen binding capacity of Hb but interferes with oxygen unloading to the tissues thereby shifting the oxygen dissociation curve to the left Under physiologic conditions MetHb is continuously produced due to the oxidizing effect of oxygen but is reduced back to Hb by cytochrome b5 reductase (NADPH MetHb reductase) Normal levels of MetHb in humans < 2% 5 g/dl of deoxyHb produces cyanosis MetHb produces cyanosis at 1.5 g/dl Most commonly caused by drugs: Benzocaine Dapsone Primaquine Lidocaine Nitrates Sulfonamides Prilocaine Nitroprusside Phenazopyridine Pulse oximetry & ... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2257466 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:22:06 +0100 2257466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2034654&cid=t_129346_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F12%2F11%2Fproblems-in-toxicology-005%2F A 20 year-old male was walking in rural New South Wales (Australia!) when he noticed a brown-coloured snake. He was startled and stepped backwards onto a tree branch which snapped under his weight. He then saw the snake slither away. Relieved that the danger had passed, he walked on. A few minutes later he glanced down at his shin and saw two bleeding scratch marks. With growing concern he walked 4 km to the nearest ambulance station. A volunteer ambulance officer applied a compression bandage to his leg and immobilized it with a splint prior to transferring the anxious young man to the nearest hospital. Four hours after the bite, he had blood tests taken that were all normal. The doctor assessing him calls you to find out if the patient can be discharged now. Questions 1. Can the patient... AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2034654 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:31:32 +0100 2034654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1786258&cid=t_129346_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomablog.com%2F2008%2F09%2F12%2Flabs-at-duke%2F A couple of days ago I had blood drawn at Duke in Durham, NC.  I should know in a few more days what the results are. They’re a little on the slow side where getting lab reports out are concerned. I’m not sure why it has to be that way.  I haven’t had any tests since June, so I’m a bit anxious about it. I signed up for a course to learn how to shoot and edit video! I’ll let you know how it is and will be sure to share some of my work. Stay tuned. (Source: beth's myeloma blog) beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1786258 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:23:06 +0100 1786258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1730713&cid=t_129346_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2F373835467%2F Smart move this time to keep the blood of athletes for 8 years and test them for “upcoming drugs” with abuse potential later on. With the Summer Olympics taking place in Beijing, its interesting to review the history of drug testing at the Olympics. As the testing laboratories have introduced newer test methods, the athletes doping find more exotic dopands or new ways to avoid being caught with existing drugs. This “arms race” is perhaps best demonstrated by the Moscow Olympics of 1980: During the Moscow games none of the 1,645 tests performed (in urine) came back positive for doping at the time. However after testosterone analysis was introduced — the so called T/E ratio — many samples from the Moscow games were reanalyzed and appeared suspicious. Seve... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1730713 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:07:26 +0100 1730713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1243560&cid=t_129346_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F237886595%2F A blood test that has enough sensitivity and specificity to detect early stage ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary) with 99 percent accuracy has been developed by Yale School of Medicine researchers. According to Gil Mor, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale: “The ability to recognize almost 100 percent of new tumors will have a major impact on the high death rates of this cancer. We hope this test will become the standard of care for women having routine examinations. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths in the United States and three times more lethal than breast cancer. It is usually not diagnosed until its advanced stages and has come to be known as the “silent killer... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1243560 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:16:46 +0100 1243560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1179955&cid=t_129346_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F223671667%2F Researchers at the M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California at Davis are the first to use genomic profiling of blood to note differences in autistic children, the January 25th Health News Digest reports. Their hope is that such “gene expression analyses can provide biological evidence of autism, currently diagnosed only through behavioral assessments, in some children.” “What we found were 11 specific genes with expression levels that were significantly higher in the blood of children with autism when compared to the blood of typically developing children,” said Frank Sharp, senior author of the study and professor of neurology with the M.I.N.D. Institute. “Those 11 genes are all known to be expressed by natural-killer cells, which are cells in the... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1179955 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:19:20 +0100 1179955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1097504&cid=t_129346_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F201096761%2F Previously, the possibility of lung cancer detection by blood test has been reported. Now, a blood test may also be able to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. Such diagnostic test – now being introduced in the UK - works by detecting gene expression patterns in blood samples not taken from the breast. Developed by Norwegian life sciences company DiaGenic ASA, the said test is designed to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages when women have no symptoms. Experts predict it could be used alongside mammograms to help detect cancer and could be useful for younger women. This is because breasts are denser when women are younger and therefore mammograms may not detect changes in the breast tissue. The test will be available privately. Find more details from the UK Press. Share ... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1097504 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 08:43:01 +0100 1097504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1086073&cid=t_129346_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F198428925%2F This study is the first step in developing a test that would allow us to sample a patient’s blood and determine whether more invasive testing and treatment are necessary. Using the four markers, known as CEA, RBP, SCC and AAT, we were able to distinguish patients who had cancer from those who didn’t with over 80 percent accuracy.” The four blood proteins: CEA, RBP, SCC and AAT – have been found in significantly different levels in patients with lung cancer as compared to patients of the same age and gender who didn’t have cancer. Find more details from Duke University Medical Center. Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1086073 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:06:05 +0100 1086073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1032976&cid=t_129346_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fwhen-to-test-blood-sugar-in-type-2.html One of the topics that comes up a lot in the email I get from visitors to my What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes web site is the question of when is the best time to test your blood sugar.A lot of doctors still tell people with Type 2 to test first thing in the morning and before meals. That was what I was told at diagnosis in 1998. People who test using this schedule may tell you their blood sugar is usually 120 mg/dl, which sounds pretty good, except that since this is a fasting number it usually hides the information that the person's blood sugar maybe going to 250 mg/dl or higher after every meal. Research has shown that for people with Type 2 diabetes--especially those who have been diagnosed recently and still retain some beta cell function--it is the high spikes after meals that... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1032976 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:27:00 +0100 1032976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1001036&cid=t_129346_87_f&fid=35060&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthnewsblog.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fhnblog.pl%3Fhnblog%3D1016071 The BBC reports that a new blood test can identify Alzheimer's six years before symptoms of the disease start to show. The article says the blood test has a 90% accuracy The test identifies changes in a handful of proteins that cells use to convey messages to one another. The US researchers found it could indicate who had Alzheimer's, as well as who was likely to develop the condition, with 90% accuracy. The work, led by Stanford University, features in Nature Medicine. One of the most distressing aspects of Alzheimer's disease is the difficulty in determining whether mild memory problems are the beginning of an inevitable mental decline. It sounds very promising. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease should make it easier to eventually halt or reverse the progress of the disease. H... HealthNewsBlog.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1001036 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:00:00 +0100 1001036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=749693&cid=t_129346_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F136243134%2F There is currently no medical or biological test for autism. Some researchers have noted that a blood test might be developed for autism: Today’s Science Daily reports on how researchers at Purdue University in collaboration with the Indiana University School of Medicine have established a technique that uses a simple chemical reaction to detect a number of genetic disorders in infants and young children. (Autism is not specifically mentioned in the article, nor are any other disorders specified.) The technique improves the ability to detect certain molecules in blood and urine and “makes the markers for some genetically caused metabolic disorders up to 100 times more visible.” Said Daniel Raftery, a Purdue professor of analytical and physical chemistry: “This techn... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=749693 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 17:51:36 +0100 749693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=743322&cid=t_129346_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F19%2Fdeep-belly-fat-not-so-evil-after-all%2F Filed under: Type 2, Lifestyle, Research, Daily NewsDid you hear about renowned Harvard scientist Barbara Kahn's latest published research? I blogged about it recently. Kahn and colleagues state, in a report published in Cell Metabolism (July 2007), that it's possible to use a simple blood test to detect the presence of a specific protein called RBP4. Kahn et al say the presence of RBP4 can be used to measure accumulations of deep belly fat. Underpinning this research is a belief that such accumulations of belly fat increase risk for metabolic syndrome, leading to various maladies including heart disease and diabetes.However, not everyone accepts this point of view. A Yale research team says that deep belly fat may not be so evil after all. The researchers, who are based at Yale University... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=743322 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 743322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=714045&cid=t_129346_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F130402784%2F Might such a test be developed in a minimum of five years, to be used to test children for autism at birth? Professor Rebecca Landa guesses this at the end of a June 3rd Newsweek article on the early detection of autism. And here is one company with a business plan to develop such a test. Are we ready for it? Share This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=714045 Wed, 04 Jul 2007 10:53:12 +0100 714045