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 carbohydrate metabolism used for in the
human body?
The roles of carbohydrate in the body includes providing
energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central
nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing
protein from being used as energy. Carbohydrate is the
preferred source of energy or fuel for muscle contraction and
biologic work.
5. CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN RELATION TO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE TESTS PERFORMED BY MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGISTS INVOLVING CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM:
GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASES
GALACTOSEMIA
HYPOGLYCEMIA
DIABETIC HYPEROSMOLAR SYNDROME
DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS
6. GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASES
Glycogen storage diseases occur when there is a defect in the enzymes that
are involved in the metabolism of glycogen, resulting in growth
abnormalities, weakness, and confusion.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The specific type of glycogen storage disease is diagnosed by examining a
piece of muscle or liver tissue under a microscope (biopsy).
Treatment depends on the type of glycogen storage disease. For most types,
eating many small carbohydrate-rich meals every day helps prevent blood
sugar levels from dropping. For people who have glycogen storage diseases
that cause low blood sugar levels, levels are maintained by giving uncooked
cornstarch every 4 to 6 hours around the clock. For others, it is sometimes
necessary to give carbohydrate solutions through a stomach tube all night to
prevent low blood sugar levels from occurring at night.
7. GALACTOSEMIA
• Galactosemia (a high blood level of galactose) is caused by lack of one
of the enzymes necessary for metabolizing galactose, a sugar present
in lactose (milk sugar). A metabolite that is toxic to the liver and
kidneys builds up. The metabolite also damages the lens of the eye,
causing cataract
• Galactosemia is detectable with a blood test. This test is done as a
routine screening test for newborns in all states in the United States.
Before conception, adults with a sibling or child known to have the
disorder can be tested to find out whether they carry the gene that
causes the disease. If two carriers conceive a child, that child has a 1
in 4 chance of being born with the disease.
8. HYPOGLYCEMIA
Hypoglycemia is the clinical syndrome that results from low blood sugar. The
symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person, as can the severity.
Classically, hypoglycemia is diagnosed by a low blood sugar with symptoms that
resolve when the sugar level returns to the normal range. The medical term for
blood sugar is blood glucose.
How Is Low Blood Sugar Diagnosed?
Blood glucose meters are used to test blood sugar levels and will tell you if your
level is below 70 mg/dL.
If you do not have a blood sugar testing machine on hand and are experiencing
signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, those symptoms may be enough to
diagnose low blood sugar. But do not rely solely on this self-diagnosis unless you
must.
Symptoms of low blood sugar usually get worse if they are left untreated. Make
an appointment to see a healthcare professional—this is the only way to figure
out what is causing your symptoms.
9. DIABETIC
KETOACIDOSIS
• Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when a person with diabetes becomes
dehydrated. As the body produces a stress response, hormones
(unopposed by insulin due to the insulin deficiency) begin to break
down muscle, fat, and liver cells into glucose (sugar) and fatty acids
for use as fuel. These hormones include glucagon, growth hormone,
and adrenaline. These fatty acids are converted to ketones by a
process called oxidation. The body consumes its own muscle, fat, and
liver cells for fuel.
10. In diabetic ketoacidosis, the body shifts from its normal fed metabolism
(using carbohydrates for fuel) to a fasting state (using fat for fuel).
The resulting increase in blood sugar occurs, because insulin is
unavailable to transport sugar into cells for future use. As blood sugar
levels rise, the kidneys cannot retain the extra sugar, which is
dumped into the urine, thereby increasing urination and causing
dehydration. Commonly, about 10% of total body fluids are lost as
the patient slips into diabetic ketoacidosis. Significant loss of
potassium and other salts in the excessive urination is also common.
11. • Blood tests will be ordered to document the levels of sugar,
potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes. Ketone level and kidney
function tests along with a blood gas sample (to assess the blood acid
level, or pH) are also commonly performed.
12. DIABETIC HYPEROSMOLAR
SYNDROME• Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) is a potentially life-
threatening condition involving extremely high blood sugar (glucose)
levels. According to Medscape, any illness that causes dehydration or
reduced insulin activity can lead to HHS; however, it is most
commonly a result of uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes. Diabetic
HHS is usually triggered by infection or illness, or by failure to monitor
and control blood glucose.
• When blood sugar gets too high, the kidneys try to compensate by
removing some of the excess glucose through urination. If you do not
drink enough fluids to replace the fluid you are losing, or if you drink
sugary beverages, blood sugar levels spike and blood becomes more
concentrated. This condition is called hyperosmolarity. Once blood
becomes concentrated, it begins to draw water out of other organs,
including the brain.
13. Diagnosed
blood tests to check for levels of blood sugar,
ketone, creatinine, potassium, and phosphate
sodium glycated hemoglobin test (average blood
sugar level for previous two to three months)
If the cause of HHS is not associated with
diabetes, a urinalysis may be performed to
diagnose diabetes.
Treatment involves reversing or preventing
dehydration and getting blood glucose levels under
control.
