Clinical Chemistry Blog Notes 26

My first week of internship

2009-10-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

The 1st day I entered AUFMC, I felt excited, nervous & a little bit worried because even though, We already had our preceptorship at the same laboratory I think there are still a lot of things I don't know about MT (Medical Technologist), of course noone would want to make a mistake especially on our 1st day.

I also personally waht to know the things I need to do in order for me to lessen the possibility of making mistakes, but I think it is impossible that's why i'm nervous and worried.

In my 2nd day I felt less nervous & worried but I still need to leard more and need to improve more so that in the following days I will be able to do the right things with less mistakes.

In my 3rd and 4th day, I felt the tiredness and lack of energy because I don't get enough sleep. O also wakeup early so that I will not be late. I was also able to know the names of the staffs inn the laboratory, though there are still few staffs i need to know.

I want to continue learning to gain more knowledge and skills I need in the fallowing days.

My Preceptorship Training

2009-09-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

My Preceptorship Training

My first thought was, "what is it all about? "

So i ask everyone what preceptorship means, then i come out with a conclusion that this is a training specially intended for "medtech" students like me. We're going to spend our 24 hours straight to observe and do some things that a medical technologist does in the laboratory. I found it amazing to see different things that is not that familiar with me. The staff in the laboratory of our preceptorship are very approachable and friendly, they helped us and teached us different things will surely be a great help to us.

My Preceptorship was also a very tiring day. Imagine that you're going to go to different sectiosns in the laboratory 24 hours straight! haha! but actually I was able to get some sleep in our preceptorship day. Two hours of sleep and the next thing I know was I can't sleep when I'm sitting wahaha..even if i'm feeling really asleep..

Meeting different people with something in common that's so great, right?

Do you agree that Drug testing should be done as a requirement for admission to schools?

2009-09-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

Do you agree that Drug testing

should be done as a requirement

for admission to schools?

Drug Testing for admission of students in school?

Definitely, I agree, because it can bring so much difference and awareness to all of the people specially to the students, teachers, and parents. I think it is a must, especially for the high school (secondary) and tertiary (college) students because in our generation today, if a student is using or wants to use a "drug" because of peer pressure or stress, through the drug test, we will be able to detect those who use them and will also be able to prevent students who have plans of using it.

I personally believe that everything has a solution so why take drugs, right? Taking illegal drugs can also cause different diseases and the worst, it can kill you.

Every single person is unique, capable of making beautiful things, like having unique skills and talents. it is saddening to think that they may not the best person that they can be because of these illegal drugs.

As our national hero said, "ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan", so we should take good care of our people, especially the youth of our nation.

Photo by:

http://www.southamptonvs.org.uk/morph.JPG

Answer

2009-08-28T03:10:00.000-07:00

___Assay___1. It is a biochemical test using the reaction of an antibody to its antigen?
_We should treat all specimens as infectious and potentially hazardous that can transmit diseases_2. What is the universal precaution?

__Principle__3. What are the two things to consider before proceeding in the assaying of cortisol?
&
_Procedure & PPE_4.

______1:5_______5. The sample is mixed with organic solvent in what proper ratio?

_Aqueous Layer_6. What layer is removed after separation of substances?

__Organic Layer_7. What layer has an aliqout containing the free cortisol?

_Extraction efficiency_8. It can be monitored by adding known cortisol standard to an aliquot of the specimen and then extracting the spiked sample.

____Urine______9. Give two specimens used in cortisol determination?
&
____Blood_____10.

Case Analysis :

A 25 yr old man complaining of fatigue, muscle weakness, low blood pressure and weight loss. After his check-up the doctor/physician requested for cortisol level test.

* His cortisol level is low.

What is the possible condition of the patient?

Answer:_Addison's disease_.

Quiz About Cortisol

2009-08-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

Post Quiz

__________1. It is a biochemical test using the reaction of an antibody to its antigen?

__________2. What is the universal precaution?

__________3. What are the two things to consider before proceeding in the assaying of cortisol?
&
__________4.

__________5. The sample is mixed with organic solvent in what proper ratio?

__________6. What layer is removed after separation of substances?

__________7. What layer has an aliqout containing the free cortisol?

__________8. It can be monitored by adding known cortisol standard to an aliquot of the specimen and then extracting the spiked sample.

__________9. Give two specimens used in cortisol determination?
&
__________10.

Case Analysis :

A 25 yr old man complaining of fatigue, muscle weakness, low blood pressure and weight loss. After his check-up the doctor/physician requested for cortisol level test.

* His cortisol level is low.

What is the possible condition of the patient?_____________________.

photo by:

www.flickr.com

Proper Assaying

2009-08-18T06:53:00.000-07:00

Proper assaying of cortisol

There are few things I think we need to consider before proceeding in assaying of cortisol. First you must read and understand the principle, procedure of the test and don’t forget to wear the proper PPE (laboratory gown, gloves, mask , hair cap,& goggles), and after reading you may now prepare the materials needed in the method like the reagents, specimen and laboratory materials.

Make sure that all thing are set and properly labeled and organized to avoid confusion and inaccurate results. And most of all don’t forget the universal precaution “to treat all specimens as infectious and potentially hazardous that can transmit diseases”.

Proper assaying of cortisol requires preliminary extraction of free cortisol before measurement, because large number of cortisol metabolites in urine reacts with the cortisol antibody in the assay and since interfering substances are more soluble than cortisol in urine, the cortisol can be extracted with organic solvent.

Generally, the sample is mixed with organic solvent with the proper ratio (1:5), the layer allowed to separate and the aqueous layer is removed. An aliquot of the organic layer containing the free cortisol must be transferred to separate tube, evaporated to dryness, and redissolved in buffered solution that can be use as unknown sample in the assay for serum cortisol. Extraction efficiency can be monitored by adding known cortisol standard to an aliquot of the specimen and then extracting the spiked sample in parallel with an aliquot of specimen to which no standard has been added.

Extraction efficiency of cortisol can be calculated from the difference in measured cortisol between the two samples divided by the known amount of cortisol standard which is added to one of the samples.

The calculation of the amount of cortisol in an extracted sample must take into account the dilution with organic solvent and the extraction efficiency.

Reference:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tym/1255655367/

Tietz textbook of clinical chemistry 2nd edition edited by burtis & ashwood

My Top Emerging Influential Blogs For 2009

2009-07-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

My Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009.

I admire them for being able to write great posts . They are truly deserving to be on the Top! They have been my inspiration in writing, although I can say that I'm a beginner and too far from where they are now, I hope that someday, I would be able to be one of them. I hope for them to continue to inspire others through their poems, essays and writings skills. They definitely have a marvelous and unique way of writing that has truly amazed me.

These blogs are worth your time:

1. Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0 - by Kelvin Servigon
Want to know something about technology? you can find it here, and not just technology, you can also realized the things behind this, just like a picture and what does it tell. amazing right? learning something different that's what this blogger tells me.

2. I Love/Hate America - by Bingkee
I see this blogger like a typical wife who just love to write anything under the sun, to be able to share to people her piece of thoughts wherever she lives and whatever or anything she does. She just love to share, truly amazing.

3. LifeLots - by Irene
I was truly touched by his writings, if you feel down or want to have an inspiring quote for a day who will bring you confidence, inspires you, cheer you up and will tell you something about life this is a great blog to read, no doubt.

4 .Writing to Exhale - by Jan Geronimo
Reading this blog makes me feel relaxed, it's like having a quality time with a friend. Sharing stories of his life, what he does and what he wants to happen. I admire him especially for praying for our former president Cory Aquino who’s suffering from stage-four colon cancer because, few people have a wonderful heart who will give and share a little of his time to give back our deep gratitude for what we owe to our former president. Prayer is the best gift that we can give to her.

5. The Struggling Blogger - by Roy Dela Cruz
I find this blog very inspiring to every blogger especially to those who have just begun in blogging. Want to know and explore what blogging is all about and what a blogger can do? Ask him and he will surely give you an answer. I also admire him for the prayers and support he gave to our former president Cory Aquino. I hope that many people would do what he does.

6. Zorlone - by Doc Zorlone
This blogger has a great thought in mind and i think he will have a long way to go. i think he is definitely one of the top emerging influential blogger because his poems are really amazing. They are formed by his own experiences and i can see that the blogs were accomplished by a great mind and a passionate heart.

7. A Walk in the Dark - by Luke
You can find many interesting post in this blog i can say that this blogger wants us to be aware in many. It is truly a heartwarming experience to know that there is a blog that cares not only to the people he knew but to all the people that reads, especially his blog.

8. Tales From The Mom Side - by Dee
As the title says this blog talks more about being a mother, it's from a mother's heart. And as a praise for all moms, I want to acknowledge this blog. When i see my mother being tired and stressed, I want to do something for her to feel relaxed, i jusr don't know how. In this blog I found the answer.

9. Father Blogger Dot Com - by Angel Cuala
This blog is such an inspiration. I admire him for being a proud blogger. It is not actually easy to be a blogger, most especially when maintaining a blog active. But because he takes time and effort, he was able to win an award, his blogs are also a great help for people especially to those who have family concerns. So read his blog and learn from him.

10. It's All a Matter of Perspective- Mine -by Holly Jahangiri
It talks about many things in all walks of life, surely you'll be able to learn upon reading his blog.

Different aspects, different personalities, different opinions in life..One Goal: to Blog, to share, to communicate, to make friends and to support one another. =)

Sponsors for the contest are:
Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, Events at Work, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobile, Budget hotel in Makati, Lucio C. Tan Group of Companies, and Blog4Reviews.com.

Video

2009-07-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

Cortisol

Yahoo! Video
Link: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/14713/517515

Poem

2009-07-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Stressfully Cortisol

You're the reason behind my stress
The one associated when I'm depressed
You're the culprit Cortisol,
The stress hormone as they call

My heart beats so fast
I just hope it won't last
My hand are sweating
And my body is shaking

Higher production in the morning
And lowest in the evening
It's just normal for cortisol
that's the stress hormone, as they call

So take a break and just relax
Put all your sorrow and worries in a box.
Don't let Cortisol control your mood
Keep it balanced and you'll feel good

The Answers:

2009-06-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

Answers:

1. Cortisol - It is also called stress hormone.

2. Adrenal gland - Cortisol is secreted by this gland.

3. Cushing's syndrome - Give one condition associated with a increase cortisol level.

4-5. Normal cortisol level is higher in the morning and lowest at night.

6-8. Give three functions of cortisol.
-increase the functionality of the thyroid
-insulin production for blood pressure regulation
-proper glucose metabolism

9-10. Give two possible conditions that may lead to low cortisol level.
• Addison's disease

• Internal bleeding

Case:

A 30 yr old large rounded face, overweight female working in a call center had recently depressions. She's complaining of having headache, mental changes, purple mark on the skin of abdomen and backache. She was rush at the hospital after getting his medical record the doctor request for a cortisol test .

11-15. What cortisol test does the physician probably requested: blood, urine, or salivary cortisol tets? explain:

Answer:

Salivary cortisol test because most of her signs and symptoms are associated with having cushing's syndrome and depression can make our cortisol level elevated so to make sure, salivary test is the best cortisol test to request for the screening of a patient who has cushing's syndrome.

16-20. What is the possible condition the patient have? explain:

Answer:

Cushing's syndrome is a possible condition the patient have because her symptoms are most often the signs of a person which has a cushing's syndrome like having large rounded face, obesity, headache, backache, mental changes, purple mark on the skin of abdomen and depression.

Quiz

2009-06-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

1._____________It is also called stress hormone.

2._____________Cortisol is secreted by this gland.

3._____________Give one condition associated with a increase cortisol level.

4-5. Normal cortisol level is __________ in the morning and ___________ at night.

6-8. Give three functions of cortisol.

9-10. Give two possible conditions that may lead to low cortisol level.

Case:
A 30 yr old large rounded face, overweight female working in a call center had recently depressions. She's complaining of having headache, mental changes, purple mark on the skin of abdomen and backache. She was rush at the hospital after getting his medical record the doctor request for a cortisol test .

11-15. What cortisol test does the physician probably requested: blood, urine, or salivary cortisol tets? explain:

16-20. What is the possible condition the patient have? explain:

Cortisol

2009-05-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

Cortisol

Cortisol is the hormone for which we could attribute a person’s level of stress and anxiety. It is a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex (which is a part of the adrenal gland). At normal rate, cortisol contributes to the metabolic rate of an individual and is also said to mobilize the function of the immune system.

image reference:

http://www.cortisolcure.com/cortisol.gif

Functions of Cartisol:

Cortisol’s primary functions include mobilization and energy regulation. It provides protein for energy production and regulates body fats. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory
mechanism that allows the body to combat and keep up with stress. Other function includes:

• increase the functionality of the thyroid
• insulin production for blood pressure regulation
• proper glucose metabolism

Test

A cortisol test is done to find problems of the pituitary gland or adrenal glands. Normal production of cortisol in humans is 15 - 20 mg per day. Cortisol levels get higher when the pituitary gland releases another hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone. If this would be prolonged, several problems might occur such as:

• impaired cognitive performance
• blood sugar imbalance
• high blood pressure
• low inflammatory response of the body

On the other hand, low production of cortisol may result to:

• Addison's disease
• Internal bleeding

And high production of cortisol level may result to:

• pregnancy
• hyperthyroidism
• Cushing's syndrome

Therefore, it is significant to know your cortisol level.

References:

http://unasked.com/question/view/id/2817

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cortisol/test.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocortisone

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/cortisolzava.html

http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm

Welcome

2009-05-26T01:43:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Ethel Coleen, welcome to my blog.