2. What is Medical Technology ?
Medical Technology, which is a proper
subset of health technology, encompasses
a wide range of healthcare products and is
used to diagnose, monitor or treat
diseases or medical conditions
affecting humans.
3. What is Medical Technologists ?
Medical Technologists, also known as
clinical laboratory technologists,
perform and analyze the results of
complex scientific tests on blood and
body fluids.
4. What is Lipids used for in the human
body?
• Lipids, also known as fats, play many important roles in your body,
from providing energy to producing hormones. You wouldn't be able
to digest and absorb food properly without lipids. Of course, eating
more fat than you need can lead to weight gain, but in proper
amounts lipids are a healthy part of your diet.
5. LIPIDS IN RELATION TO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE TESTS PERFORMED BY
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS INVOLVING LIPIDS:
Lipid Blood Tests
Cushing's Syndrome
Spirit Blue Agar Plate
Lipiduria
6. Lipid Blood
Tests
• A complete cholesterol test — also called a lipid
panel or lipid profile — is a blood test that can
measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides
in your blood. A cholesterol test can help determine
your risk of the buildup of plaques in your arteries
that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries
throughout your body (atherosclerosis). High
cholesterol levels usually don't cause any signs or
symptoms, so a cholesterol test is an important tool.
High cholesterol levels often are a significant risk
factor for heart disease.
7. Cushing's Syndrome
• Cushing's syndrome is a disorder caused by prolonged exposure of
the body's tissues to high levels of corticosteroids (glucocorticoids).
• Corticosteroids are powerful steroid hormones produced by the
adrenal glands, located above each kidney. They regulate the
metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. They reduce the
immune system's inflammatory responses and help to maintain blood
pressure and heart function. A vital function of corticosteroids is to
help the body respond to stress.
8. Exams and Tests for Cushing's
Syndrome
• Measurement of 24-hour cortisol levels : The amount of cortisol
excreted in the urine during a 24-hour time period is measured.
Values higher than three to four times the upper limit of normal are
suggestive of Cushing's syndrome.
• Overnight 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test: For this test, 1mg
of dexamethasone (exogenous corticosteroid) is administered at 11
pm, with measurement of serum cortisol the next morning at 8 am. In
healthy individuals, the serum cortisol should be less than 2-3
mcg/dL. Cushing's syndrome may be excluded with a cortisol level
less than 1.8 mcg/dL.
9. • The 48-hour low-dose dexamethasone suppression test: In many
persons, overnight 1mg dexamethasone suppression test may be
inconclusive. In such persons, 48-hour low-dose dexamethasone
suppression test is performed. In this test, 0.5mg dexamethasone is
administered every six hours for eight doses and serum cortisol levels
are measured.
10. Spirit Blue Agar Plate
Bacteria are identified based largely on what organic compounds they
can break down. The range of compounds used depends on the
collection of enzymes a species of bacteria can make. Lipids are organic
compounds that some bacteria can use for carbon and energy. The
enzyme capable of breaking down lipids is called lipase. Spirit blue
agar is a medium that contains a supply of lipids, and thus it allows us
to determine the presence of lipase.
If lipase is made by the bacterium, the lipids in Spirit blue agar will be
digested. The medium, which is normally opaque and light blue in
color, will have halos around colonies of bacteria that make lipase.
13. • High lipid levels can speed up a process called atherosclerosis, or
hardening of the arteries. Your arteries are normally smooth and
unobstructed on the inside, but as you age, a sticky substance called
plaque forms in the walls of your arteries. Plaque is made of lipids
and other materials circulating in your blood. As more plaque builds
up, your arteries can narrow and stiffen. Eventually, enough plaque
may build up to reduce blood flow through your arteries.
14. • What tests will I need?
• Because hyperlipidemia usually doesn't cause symptoms, you will
need a blood test for a diagnosis. The National Cholesterol Education
Program recommends that people get this test every 5 years after
age 20. Your blood test will show your physician the levels of different
lipids in your blood. Your physician will compare your results to
established ranges. The ranges help your physician diagnose
hyperlipidemia and then decide whether you will need lifestyle
modification, medical treatment, or both as treatments.
