Title : Blood: Platelets
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| Description :
Platelet is another cellular component of blood. The platelets are fragments of the cytoplasm from a large cell called magakaryocyte found in the bone marrow. Platelets play an important role in the clotting of blood and prevention of bleeding. They help stop bleeding by forming a sticky plug to seal vessel walls and also help initiate a series of enzymatic reactions which result in the formation of the blood clot.
Platelet count is one important test used to investigate bleeding disorders, to assess clotting ability, or to monitor drug treatments. An increase in platelet count may occur in conditions such as polycythemia or after a splenectomy. A decrease in platelet count below normal level is seen in patients with dengue haemorrhagic fever and may occur in leukemia, some anaemia and certain blood disorders, or following chemotherapy and radiation therapy. |
Reference range: 150 - 400 x 10 9/L
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Title : Bone & joints: Calcium
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Description :
Calcium is an important mineral necessary for good health. Calcium is essential for proper bone and teeth formation. It is necessary for proper blood clotting as well as muscle contraction. The calcium balance is influenced by vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. These hormones control the dietary absorption of calcium as well as its excretion by kidneys and movement in and out of the bone. One of the common causes of high calcium level is bone diseases as well as excessive presence of vitamin D. Low levels of calcium may be due to vitamin D deficiency, poor absorption or malnutrition and kidney disease. Besides calcium tablet supplements milk is a very good source of calcium. |
| Reference range: adult: 2.1-2.6 mmol/L |
| Title : Bone & joints: RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) factor |
Description :
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and can occur in several diseases. Common among these are gout, rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease affecting mainly the joints of hands and feet. About 80% of adults with rheumatoid arthritis have high levels of RA factor and will show a positive result. Weak positive or false negative may be due to early or chronic stages of the disease. |
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