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35 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Is bicarbonate (or total CO2) test ususally ordered by itself?
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No. usually ordered along with sodium, potassium, and chloride as part of an electrolyte panel.
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what is ordered when an acid-base imbalance is identified?
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bicarbonate (as part of the electrolyte panel) and blood gases may be ordered to evaluate the severity of the imbalance, determine whether it is primarily respiratory (due to an imbalance between the amount of oxygen coming in and CO2 being released) or metabolic (due to increased or decreased amounts of bicarbonate in the blood) in nature, and monitor its treatment until the acid-base balance is restored.
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when is bicarbonate testing ordered?
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Someone is having a routine blood screen
A doctor suspects that a patient may be retaining water or is dehydrated, upsetting their electrolyte balance A doctor wants to evaluate a patient’s acid-base balance (pH) A doctor wants to monitor a condition or treatment that might cause an electrolyte imbalance |
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What does bicarbonate test result mean?
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When bicarbonate levels are higher or lower than normal, it suggests that the body is having trouble maintaining its acid-base balance or that somone has upset their electrolyte balance, perhaps by losing or retaining fluid. Both of these imbalances may be due to a wide range of dysfunctions.
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some causes of low bicarbonate level
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Addison’s disease
Chronic diarrhea Diabetic ketoacidosis Metabolic acidosis Kidney disease Ethylene glycol or methanol poisoning Salicylate (aspirin) overdose |
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increased bicarbonate levels may be due to
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Severe vomiting
Lung diseases, including COPD Cushing syndrome Conn syndrome Metabolic alkalosis |
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Some drugs may increase bicarbonate levels including:
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fludrocortisone, barbiturates, bicarbonates, hydrocortisone, loop diuretics, and steroids.
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Drugs that may decrease bicarbonate levels include
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methicillin, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline, thiazide diuretics, and triamterene.
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Thrombin Time (TT),
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a blood test which measures the time it takes for a clot to form in the plasma of a blood sample anticoagulant to which an excess of thrombin has been added. This test is repeated with pooled plasma from normal patients. The difference in time between the test and the 'normal' indicates an abnormality in the conversion of fibrinogen(a soluble protein) to fibrin (an insoluble protein). This test is also known as the Thrombin Clotting Time (TCT).
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The thrombin time is used to
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diagnose bleeding disorders and to assess the effectiveness of fibrinolytic therapy
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Thrombin time can be prolonged by:
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heparin, fibrin degradation products, factor XIII deficiency, and fibrinogen deficiency/abnormality.
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Fibrin degradation product (FDPs) are
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also known as fibrin split products, are components of the blood produced by clot degeneration.[1] These are produced by the action of plasmin on deposited fibrin. The most notable subtype of fibrin degradation products is D-dimer.
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The levels of FDPs rise after
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any thrombotic event
FDP is fibrinogen degradation product |
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a blood clot is also known as a
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thrombus. It is the final product of the blood coagulation step in hemostasis.
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hypercapnia
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high level of CO2 in blood
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how is CO2 processed in the body?
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Once it dissolves into the blood stream, it becomes bicarbonate and is flushed out by the kidneys or carried to the lungs, transformed back into carbon dioxide and exhaled. The same elimination process expels inhaled carbon dioxide.
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fibrosis as a result of chronic bronchitis is
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thickening and scarring of the airway wall
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CMV, Quantitative, PCR
For detection of ________ DNA; early detection and management of CMVinfections. Quantitative CMV DNA PCR testing provides a “viral load” value useful formonitoring _________ therapy and possible identifying patients at risk for CMV disease. |
cytomegalovirus
antiviral |
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Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the ________ VirusFamily and may cause a wide variety of disease manifestations depending on the patient’s age and __________ status. In an immunosuppressed adult, the lungs, gastrointestinal tract and /or the retina can be infected. ______________ patients are at a high risk for pulmonary infections(Pneumonitis) that can progress to full blown Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS),intestinal necrosis and ulceration leading to debilitating diarrhea.
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Herpes
immune Transplant |
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Moderate amounts of candida (and other yeast) live in every one of us without causing any harm, but when given free rein to grow unchecked, e.g. by wiping out the surrounding bacteria with broad-spectrum antibiotics, candida can change into its ________ form and _________ through the intestinal wall into the rest of the body. Once through, it rampages around the body producing a multitude of symptoms.
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fungal
spore |
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All it needs for Candida to invade your gut is for something to kill off the normal ________; the bacteria that aid digestion and protect the gut from yeast. Once the flora are damaged, yeast will invade.
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flora
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In ideal circumstances, Candida can double in quantity every __________, so it takes very little time for it to populate a damaged intestine.
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half hour
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Hormones, antibiotics, environmental toxins, heavy metals and poor dietary habits can all contribute or cause a yeast infection. Once in the gut, candida creates an environment that prevents the normal flora from repopulating. The lack of __________ causes mal-digestion of certain sugars, carbohydrates, minerals and trace nutrients and leaves food to rot in the gut, creating an ideal environment for the Candida.
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flora
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Occasionally, Candida overgrowth occurs throughout the body including the liver and blood. Once in the blood, the fungus can be carried anywhere in the body resulting in a myriad of health problems including frequent urinary tract infections, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal and liver problems, food allergies, decreased immunity, frequent or chronic fungus infections of the skin and nails, and weight gain. This condition is referred to as _________________ (also known as candidosis and moniliasis.)
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Systemic Candidiasis
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Candida mainly exists in two forms: a round yeast that remains in the colon and is actively reproducing and the other in its fungal form that 'eats' through the intestinal wall and travels via the blood to any site in the body. Sugar (in many forms) activates candida metabolism and its by-products are neurotoxins (toxins that damage or destroy nerve tissue) such as formaldehyde, and alcohol. The nervous system can become deranged with candida due to specific neurotoxins. Autism is one example of this. Metabolites of candida are found in urine samples of children with autism. Specific bacteria and fungi migrate from the large to small intestines to break down undigested carbohydrates. Candida is also known to impair immune functioning. Approximately ______% of our immune system lies within the intestinal walls. What you do to your intestines directly affects your 'immune' system. The immune system will respond to candida and its by-products along with food molecules that escape into the bloodstream by secreting histamines causing classic symptoms of allergies and intolerances.
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80
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According to the conditions it finds, candida can exist in 3 forms; a ________, multiplying yeast, a hyphae form, which penetrates the gut wall in search of nutrition in the blood and as highly invasive ___________, which penetrate the gut wall to be transported in the blood stream to other organs.
Once the yeast has overgrown the gut, malnutrition will result, in the form of vitamin and trace nutrient deficiencies. In addition, the constant presence of a pathogen will stimulate the immune system 24 x 7 x 365, eventually causing immune deficiency (as found in CFS) and severe fatigue. Victims will experience a multitude of symptoms caused by malnutition, an impaired immune system, toxins from the yeast's metabolic processes and from the physical presence of the yeast." Yeast make a number of chemical compounds which are then picked up and absorbed into the body. These compounds are quite toxic to the nervous system. These compounds include toxic alcohols and aldehydes, as well as the powerful nervous system poison hydrogen sulfide (editor's note: this is a totally different substance than hyrodgen sulfate). Alcohols depress the nervous system and at least some aldehydes are anesthetic agents, which of course put the brain to sleep. These chemicals slow the brain down so that the brain no longer works correctly. These chemicals should be cleared by the liver so that these chemicals never reach the brain. |
budding
spores |
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Fungemia is the presence of fungi or yeasts in the blood. It is most commonly seen in immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients with severe ______________, oncology patients, or in patients with intravenous catheters.
The diagnosis is complicated, as routine blood cultures have poor sensitivity. Treatment involves use of antifungals, eg. fluconazole or amphotericin. The two most important risk factors are: • Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics • Colonization by fungi (see eg. candidiasis) The most common pathogen is Candida albicans, causing roughly 70% of fungemias, followed by Torulopsis glabrata with 10%, and Aspergillus with 1%. However, the frequency of infection by T. glabrata, Candida tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. parapsilosis is increasing, especially when significant use of fluconazole is common. |
neutropenia
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Common symptoms of _____________
A minority of suffers have numerous symptoms; the vast majority have thrush + a few others; not every sufferer has thrush. Group 1: The damage to the intestinal wall allows undesirable toxins to permeate into the bloodstream. This condition called ‘leaky gut syndrome' often leads to: • food allergies and intolerances • migraines • foggy brain • muscle aches Group 2: Once through to the rest of the body, candida has the ability to disrupt the endocrine system causing symptoms such as: • thrush • cystitis • PMS • menstrual irregularities • joint pains • asthma • hayfever • sinusitis • fungal infections of the nails/skin e.g. athlete's foot • weight gain or weight loss • ear infections • chronic tiredness • allergies • sensitivity to perfume, tobacco smoke and petrol Group 3: Symptoms in the intestines include: • bloatedness • flatulence • diarrhoea and/or constipation • itchy anus In addition, candida involvement has been implicated in some cases of other illnesses e.g. ME/CFS, Endometriosis. |
Candida
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Gas and Bloating
Some symptoms of Candida overgrowth are localized in the digestive system, other symptoms are found in different locations in the body. Just as bread rises from yeast due to carbon dioxide production from fermentation of carbohydrates, Candida also produces carbon dioxide in the intestine. The result is persistent gas and bloating. Brain Fog Another by-product of Candida is acetaldehyde, a poison that is converted into ethanol by the liver. As yeast multiplies and produces more acetaldehyde, the blood alcohol level rises, resulting in symptoms associated with drunkenness, including impaired mental and physical functioning. Infections As yeast moves through the holes in the mucosal barrier and travels throughout the bloodstream, it produces such disorders as chronic ear infections and sinus infections. Physicians commonly prescribe antibiotics for fungal ear infections and sinus infections, which can make the condition worse by further destroying the good bacteria in the body. Candida overgrowth is also responsible for fingernail and toenail fungus and recurrent vaginal yeast infections. Fatigue Excess toxins produced by Candida can leave a person feeling lethargic and fatigued and sometimes with joint and muscle pain. Quite simply, the body must exert energy to cleanse itself, and when Candida is overgrown, the toxic load on the body increases. Sugar and carbohydrate cravings are a common Candida symptom as yeast feeds on sugars. The result can be an increased desire for sugar, which in turn causes a rollercoaster effect in your energy. Candida can cause autoimmune diseases due to the fact that Candida can increase the permeability of your intestinal lining, also known as "leaky gut syndrome." With leaky gut, large undigested food molecules can enter your bloodstream which the body recognizes as a foreign material. When this occurs, the immune system attacks the food. The immune response involves making antibodies, which are the equivalent to the immune system's memory. The next time the same type of food enters the body, the immune system remembers and attacks again. The result is a sudden food allergy or sensitivity to commonly eaten foods. Toxins made by candida also signal an immune response to produce antibodies. An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system reacts with a hyperactive response to the digestive process and the toxins within it. The hyperactive immune system begins to attack the body's own tissues. There are about 80 known autoimmune diseases. Among these diseases are: rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Chrohn's disease, diabetes, Lupus, and multiple sclerosis. |
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth?
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Gastrointestinal: indigestion, gas, bloating, inflammatory bowel diseases, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, bad breath and thrush (coating on tongue).
Physical: numbness, burning or tingling; painful, swollen, stiff joints; muscle aches and tension, nasal congestion, chronic headaches, blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pains, dizziness, sinusitis, and chemical sensitivity. Mental/Emotional: depression, mental confusion, irritability, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, disorientation, impaired decision making, low energy, fatigue, hyperactivity, chronic ear infections and poor memory. Skin: white fungal skin patches like dandruff, acne, athlete's foot, anal itch, diaper rash, psoriasis, dermatitis, finger and toenail infections, unpleasant body or hair odour, genital touching in infants and young children, skin rashes and behavioural problems. Sexual: vaginitis, discharge, itch, bladder infection, menstrual irregularities, pain, cramps, lowered libido, infertility, impotency, prostate problems. Urinary: frequent urination, burning, fluid retention and edema. |
Following are a few classic symptoms of candida overgrowth:
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BMP test includes:
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Calcium
BUN (urea) Creatinine Sodium Potassium Chlorine CO2 anion gap |
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Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
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BMP +
glucose Total Protein Albumin AST ALT ALP Globulin (calculation Bilirubin (total) and conjugated Bilirubin |
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BMP includes
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Na K Cl Calcium anion gap
CO2 Glucose creatinine GFR (glomerular filtration rate) BUN (blood urea nitrogen) |
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CMP includes
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BMP + Hepatic Panel
Hepatic Panel = Albumin Alkaline Phosphatase ALP Alanine Aminotransferase ALT Aspartate Aminotransferase AST Bilirubin, Total Bilirubin, Conjugated Protein, Total Globulin |
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Hepatic Panel
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Albumin
Alkaline Phosphatase ALP Alanine Aminotransferase ALT Aspartate Aminotransferase AST Bilirubin, Total Bilirubin, Conjugated Protein, Total Globulin |
