LIPIDS TO

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

Lipiduria

Lipiduria, also termed Lipuria, is the presence of lipids in the urine.Lipuria is most frequently observed in nephrotic syndrome where it is passed as lipoproteins along with other proteins.Lipuria has also been reported as a sign following fat embolism.

 Hyperlipidemia

What is hyperlipidemia?Lipid is the scientific term for fats in the blood. At proper levels, lipids perform important functions in your body, but can cause health problems if they are present in excess. The term hyperlipidemia means high lipid levels. Hyperlipidemia includes several conditions, but it usually means that you have high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels.

• 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.

• 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.

Prepared by:Mercado, Princess Cate R.Alejandrino, Ma. Lourdes F.Aspillaga, Liezel