COVID-19 Numerical (Quantitative) IgG Antibody Test

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COVID-19 Numerical (Quantitative) IgG Antibody Test 

What is an Antibody?

  • Antibodies are proteins that help the immune system identify and eliminate threats.
  • After illness or vaccination, our body produces antibodies to protect against infections.

What are the differences between PCR and Antibody tests?

  • The antibody test enables the body to detect the natural immune response against the COVID-19 virus and the immunity level that will arise from the vaccine.
  • The PCR test is a molecular diagnostic test that shows the RNA (genetic material) of the virus. A positive PCR result means that the virus is present at the time the sample is taken.

Which Antibody is looked over for in COVID-19 immunity?

  • Numerical measurement of the IgG immune antibody against the spike protein of the virus is more valuable in evaluating the immune response of the person.
  • The vaccines used aim to create an antibody response against the spike protein.

When should a COVID-19 Quantitative IgG Antibody test be performed?

  • The onset of antibodies is usually detectable 15 days after the onset of the disease.
  • To evaluate the post-vaccine immune response, the dose must use 21 days after the vaccination.

Does the COVID-19 Quantitative IgG Antibody test reliable?

  • IgG antibodies are determined numerically by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay CMIA method, which is a reliable method.
  • The tests performed with this method have a high clinical specificity of 99.60% and a sensitivity of 99.94%.

How Does the COVID-19 Numerical IgG Antibody test done?

  • The antibody test is performed from a blood sample.

When Does the result of the COVID-19 Numerical IgG Antibody test be available?

  • The antibody test results within 24 hours.

How are the results interpreted?

  • Negative for Anti SARS CoV 2 IgG Antibody < 50 AU/mL 
    It is interpreted as positive for Anti SARS CoV 2 IgG Antibody ≥ 50 AU/mL.
  • The antibody test shows whether or to what level our immune system responds to the vaccine or virus.
  • The presence of IgG antibodies in unvaccinated people means that the person has recovered from the disease and possibly has developed immunity.

Why is COVID-19 Numerical IgG Antibody testing important?

  • It may have use to determine the immune response against the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Immunity levels of people who have been infected can be evaluated.
  • People who have immunity can contribute to the treatment by donating plasma for severe patients in need of antibodies.

Can not IgG antibody occur after vaccination or illness?

  • Antibody responses measured by methods other than rapid tests have a high detection rate if sufficient antibodies are formed.
  • The reason why the result is negative is related to the immune response of the person and antibody response may not occur. It may occur and fall in a short time / may not occur at a sufficient level.

Does getting an infection to protect a person from a new disease?

  • It is not scientifically clear yet whether antibodies against the COVID-19 virus can protect us from a new infection.
  • No antibody level measured after vaccination or after infection can not tell us exactly that how much protection we have against COVID-19.

HORMONE METABOLISM PANEL

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  • Hormonal balance is the key to a healthy life. Hormone Metabolism Panel: It is a test group that examines hormones with different characteristics such as Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA, Cortisone, Aldosterone, Melatonin and their metabolism products.
  • After the hormones have completed their duties, they go to the liver and enter the process of being removed from the body. At this stage, some problems may occur, metabolism products and toxic substances may accumulate in the body. As a result, some complaints and disease manifestations may occur.
  • Hormone Metabolism Panel test results show whether the hormones in our body are properly excreted after completing their functions. It is an important indicator for a healthy life.
  • When hormones cannot be metabolized as they should be, they may cause the person to face various disease risks as well as acquire a carcinogenic nature.

 

STEROID HORMONE METABOLISM 

HORMONE METABOLISM OF OUR BODY

  • The way in which hormones are metabolized and excreted from the body may change in some cases. For example, our body may secrete too much cortisol to cope with stress, and as a result, the production of sex hormones may decrease.
  • Harmful metabolism products of hormones may occur due to consumption of foods containing excessive fat, lack of vitamins, and unbalanced nutrition. Many factors such as metals, genetic defects of enzymes involved in the formation of metabolic products affect these processes.
  • Whether the hormone metabolism product is toxic or not, whether it accumulates in the body, the level of effect, why it increases or decreases that is understood by the Hormone Metabolism Panel test results.

 

IMPORTANCE OF THE HORMONE METABOLISM PANEL

  • Measuring the blood levels of hormones as well as the metabolism product levels is very important in terms of more comprehensively determining the risks of the person
  • Hormone Metabolism Tests are studied on four different urine samples collected at certain times of the day. In these samples, very low levels of hormone metabolism products, which cannot be detected in the blood and are excreted in the urine, that are also analyzed together with the hormones.
  • The test results also show the cortisol hormone response of your body to against the stress.
  • In addition to hormones, Bisphenol A (BPA) levels are also analyzed. BPA is a chemical compound found in the packaging of food and beverages. It has been proven that BPA, which enters the body through food and beverages, has harmful effects on the function, secretion, transport of hormones.

 

WHEN SHOULD WE CONSIDER TO HAVE DONE TO

THE HORMONE METABOLISM PANEL?

  • If you have a family history of hormone-related cancer such as breast or prostate cancer,
  • Weight gain, insomnia,
  • Insulin resistance, waist circumference thickening, excessive sweet or salty desire to eat,
  • Bone muscle pains,
  • Depression,
  • Excessive hair loss, excessive hair growth, acne,
  • Menstrual irregularities,
  • Night sweats, hot flashes,
  • If there are signs of menopause and hormone therapy will be started,

          The Hormone Metabolism Panel will guide you.

INTRACELLULAR AND EXTRACELLULAR MINERALS AND METALS

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WHY DOES MINERALS IMPORTANT?

→ They take part in many steps of metabolic activities.
→ They enable to provide work of enzymes.
→ It are especially important for the immune system, nervous system, antioxidant capacity, mitochondria function, gut and bone health and hormone balance.

Because of ıt have a pretty common role in metabolism, their deficiencies can cause different complaints.

For example; Recurrent infections, inflammatory diseases, cognitive dysfunctions such as memory, concentration, perception, learning, reasoning, and hormonal disorders can be observed.

Excessive use of one mineral can cause deficiency of others. 

When minerals are overused, they can damage metabolic processes. For example, when zinc added to many supplements and drugs is used excessively, it can reduce the absorption of copper mineral and cause histamine intolerance symptoms (nasal congestion, itching, rash, redness, diarrhea, headache, etc.).

Mineral levels should not be evaluated ıtself.

WHY SHOULD MINERALS AND METALS BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER?

Some metals can inhibit the action of vital minerals. In this case, even if the minerals are within normal limits, they do not bind to the enzymes and the metabolism does not work properly. E.g; It exists between cadmium/zinc, nickel/magnesium, lead/calcium and mercury/selenium. Therefore, along with calcium, zinc, magnesium and selenium, lead, cadmium, nickel and mercury measurements should also be made. It is necessary to detect these interactions in order to correctly evaluate the mineral balance. Therefore, intracellular and extracellular metal mineral analyzes are recommended.

WHY DOES MINERALS IMPORTANT?

Minerals have different roles in metabolism steps. For example, zinc participates in more than 300 reactions for the metabolism to work. In case of deficiency, immune problems, delayed wound healing, growth-development and problems during pregnancy can be seen. In addition, hair loss, diarrhea, eczema, psoriasis, frequent infections, behavioral disorders, delayed wound healing, white spots on nails, appetite and taste disorders can also be seen in zinc deficiency. In childhood zinc deficiency, symptoms of short stature, growth retardation and delayed puberty may occur.

Although red meat, eggs, dairy products, offal, seafood, nuts, almonds, walnuts, seeds, legumes, cereals, flaxseed, wheat bran, fruits and vegetables are consumed regularly, mineral deficiency is still very common. The cause of mineral deficiencies may be insufficient intake with food or other minerals and metals blocking them.

Are minerals important for intestinal permeability?

The healthy functioning of the intestines is necessary for the absorption of all food items, minerals and vitamins. Metals are the most common toxins worldwide that pose serious health threats. Therefore, it should not be absorbed from the intestines. Selenium, magnesium, calcium and zinc are very important in maintaining this delicate balance in the intestines. It has been shown in clinical studies that intestinal permeability increases in deficiencies and decreases when supplemented.

 

Why are intracellular and extracellular evaluations of MINERALS and METAL levels important? 

Almost all of the minerals and metals are found inside the cell. In routine laboratory analyses, extracellular (serum) evaluation is not sufficient. For this reason, studying metals and minerals both in the intracellular and extracellular areas provides the most sensitive evaluation. With various analyzes, we can determine metal and mineral levels with the latest technologies and provide clarification of the individual situation.

 

MICROBIOTA

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The human body is contains to a variety of microorganisms, the majority of which are bacteria, including fungi, viruses, and other protozoa. Bacteria and other microorganisms are generally known for their disease-causing effects. However, there bacteria that do not have a disease-causing effect but also bacterias are beneficial for us. We can lead a harmonious, balanced life with these beneficial bacteria. As long as the beneficial bacteria do not disappear and leave their place to harmful, disease-causing bacteria.

The whole community of microorganisms that we share our body with is called Microbiota, the total gene structure of this community and the environment with which it interacts are called Microbiome. The Microbiota we live with contains ten times more microorganisms than human cells and one hundred and fifty times more genes than the human genome.

The human microbiota is located on the skin, reproductive organs, respiratory and most often intestinal tract. Due to its large surface area and rich nutrients for microorganisms, our intestines contain the densest and most diverse microorganism community in our body. The microbiota, which includes a large number and variety of microorganisms in healthy individuals, begins to form naturally after birth. It varies according to nutrition, genetic structure, age and geographic region.

Intestinal microbiota plays a pretty complex and active role on our physiological, metabolic and immune systems. Many chemical reactions by gut bacteria play an important role. In this way, compounds that humans cannot digest on their own are digested by bacteria.

This allows us to benefit from a wider range of foods. The intestinal microbiota is also important for the formation and development of the immune system. The developing immune system learns to distinguish between beneficial and harmful bacteria. While it tolerates beneficial bacteria, it gives a defensive response against disease-causing ones. The ideal structure of the intestinal bacterial flora is one of the main elements of a healthy life. There are indications that the gut microbiota may affect sleep patterns, mood, and some other behaviors. For the reasons listed above, the gut microbiota is now defined as a new ‘metabolic organ’.

 

Beneficial Bowel Bacteria

  • By making the environment acidic, they prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria causing disease, the formation of inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, the passage of toxic products from the intestines to the blood, and thus the formation of diseases.
  • They help break down and absorb indigestible carbohydrates through the enzymes they produce. Fermented carbohydrates are converted into short-chain fatty acids. These are also used as energy sources. Calcium, magnesium and iron absorption increases. Proper bowel movements are ensured.
  • They contribute to the production and absorption of vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 and K.
  • They play a role in the early development and lifelong functioning of the immune system by stimulating the lymphatic tissues located near the intestinal mucosa. They enable the immune system to respond only to disease-causing microorganisms.

 

Does the Bowel Microbiota Change?

Bacteria settle in the digestive tract as soon as the baby is born. Bacteria that settle first are recognized by the immune system. Therefore, the bacteria that settle first determine the content of the intestinal bacterial flora that will exist throughout the person’s life. The mode of birth, diet, and genetic factors affect the microbiota in infants. Intestinal microbiota content changes after chronic digestive system diseases, infections and antibiotic use. The change in the balance of healthy and beneficial microorganisms in the intestine in favor of harmful microorganisms and the deterioration of the ideal balance have been associated with many acute and chronic diseases. For this reason, it is important to determine the current status of the person by analyzing the microbiota in the stool.

 

Diseases Related with Impaired Bowel Microbiota

Diseases Associated with Impaired Gut Microbiota

Diabetes, Obesity, Metabolic syndrome

Allergic diseases (Rhinitis, Asthma, Atopic eczema)

Functional bowel diseases (irritable bowel syndrome, infantile colic)

Inflammatory bowel disease, Necrotizing colitis

Autism, Depression, Anxiety disorder

Rheumatoid arthritis, Non-alcoholic liver disease

Colon cancer

 

How to Detect Bowel Microbiota Content?

Just as each person has a different genetic makeup, they may have a different microbiota. The characteristic features of bacteria are encoded in their genes. In this way, it is possible to identify the bacteria that make up the intestinal microbiota by using advanced molecular genetic analyzes. In the stool sample, it is possible to have information about the intestinal microbiota by detecting the bacterial genes with the newly developed DNA sequencing method. For this test, the stool sample must be taken into the sterile container you provide from our laboratory and delivered to our laboratory quickly.

 

The Contribution to Our Health Which Is Knowing the Content of Bowel Microbiota

The key to a healthy and long life is a healthy gut structure. Therefore, there are numerous benefits to knowing the personal gut microbiota content. If harmful microorganisms that can cause disease in the intestine are more intense, the balance of the microbiota is disrupted and the situation we call dysbiosis occurs. After the influence of foreign bacteria in a dysbiotic environment, an uncontrolled inflammation process begins. This can lead to the development of many diseases. In such a case, personalized advice and treatment approaches are possible, and solutions such as diet regulation according to the presence of increased or decreased bacteria, and the use of appropriate probiotics and prebiotics can be suggested.

*Probiotic (Bacterial cells that are beneficial for the intestine and friendly to the human body. These can be found in various foods or given as supplements.)

*Prebiotics (Special nutrients taken to feed beneficial and friendly bacteria and ensure their development)