ProScreen can now offer men and women a screening service that provides a comprehensive report on factors that can affect your health now and in the future.
Our reports offer confirmation as to your well being, or provide an early warning of potential problems, often well before physical symptoms appear. This allows your GP to recommend treatment or preventative action to deal with the problem before it becomes a major concern.
The service is straightforward,
confidential, reasonably priced and available at selected centres throughout
the country.
Our Well Person Screening taken as a “stand alone” option
or added to our Cervical Cancer and Prostate Cancer screening services to
provide a fully comprehensive profile of your well being
In consultation
with the consultant pathologists at our laboratories we have selected a range
of tests designed to check that all is well and to assist in the diagnosis of
any illnesses or abnormalities that might be detected.
These
tests can provide the first clues as to whether there is any evidence of
physical disease. Almost all numeric data within the haematology section is
known as a Full Blood Count'. Variations in the number, type and form of your
red cells, white cells and platelets gives your doctor an insight into the condition
of your blood and/or clinical factors which may affect it. The ESR - a
non-specific simple blood test - can demonstrate the presence of inflammatory,
infective or malignant disorders.
Routine
biochemical tests will show how well the liver, kidneys and thyroid gland are
working, as well as making certain that blood fats, serum electrolytes
(chemicals such as potassium and sodium) and blood sugar are within normal
limits.
Haematology
Haemoglobin gives the red
cells their colour and carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells. This test is
primarily used to determine the presence of anaemia, or it's
reverse, polycythaemia.
Red Cell Count measures the number of red cells in a drop of blood. A low
count often accompanies anaemia, excess body fluid and blood loss. A high count
is seen in dehydration and polycythaemia.
Haematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in a
standard volume of blood. It is used, in conjunction with the haemoglobin and
red cell count, to determine the presence and type of anaemia.
Red Cell Indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW) provide detailed information on the volume and
haemoglobin content of red blood cells and are used to determine types of
anaemia:
o
MCV - Mean Cell Volume measures the average volume (size) of red
cells
o
MCH - Mean Cell Haemoglobin measures the weight of haemoglobin in
the average red cell
o
MCHC - Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration measures the weight of
haemoglobin in a standard volume of blood
o RDW - Red Cell Distribution Width measures the degree of size variation in red cells
Platelet Count measures the number of platelets in a drop of blood. High
platelet counts are often seen following strenuous activity, in infections and
inflammation. Extremely low platelet counts are associated with spontaneous
bleeding.
White Blood Count measures the number of white blood cells in a
drop of blood. High counts are seen in infection, after exercise, stress and
disease. Low counts may be seen in viral infection or toxic reactions.
Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils are each type of
white blood cell in the sample. Usually called a 'differential', in conjunction
with the total white cell count these numbers assist your doctor during his
assessment of your haematology profile.
ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate is the rate at which red cells fall and pack
through a special glass column during a standard period of time. Although the
test is non-specific, it remains a traditional and useful marker of organic
disease.
Biochemistry
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate: these are known as 'electrolytes' and are involved in the
maintenance of the salt-water balance in the body. May be affected by some of
the commonly used drugs e.g. diuretics.
Urea and Creatinine: used to assess kidney function.
Bilirubin: is a pigment
present in bile and is what makes a person with jaundice look yellow. Mild
increases are very common and are of no significance,
however a grossly elevated bilirubin may indicate
concerns with the liver.
Alkaline Phosphatase: is an enzyme which mainly comes from the liver
and bone, but is also present in the small intestine, placenta and kidney.
Aspartate Transferase, Alanine
Transferase, LDH (Lactic Dehydrogenase): these enzymes are present in very high
amounts in the liver, AST and LDH are also present in skeletal muscle and heart
muscle and red cells. Whilst high levels can assist with a diagnosis, no
clinical significance can be attributed to low levels.
CK: Creatine Phosphokinase
is an enzyme found in high
concentrations in the heart and skeletal muscle. High values are o ften seen following strenuous activity and your doctor may
question you about this if he sees an elevated result. The values observed also
depend upon racial origin.
Gamma GT: Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is
an enzyme found abundantly in the liver, kidneys and pancreas. It is widely
used to assess liver function. Some drugs, particularly alcohol, induce the
liver to produce more of this enzyme.
Total Protein: measures
several different proteins, with albumin being the most abundant protein in the
plasma. Changes in total protein concentration are common.
Albumin: low albumin
levels can be seen in conditions resulting in protein loss, reduction in
synthesis, abnormal distribution of albumin. High levels are often the result
of dehydration, or prolonged application of a tourniquet at the time of your
blood test.
Globulin: another
constituent o f your serum proteins. Increased levels can be seen in a number
of conditions e.g. inflammation and infection.
Calcium and Phosphate: levels may be increased or decreased in a variety of bone diseases and
is also useful in assessing kidney function. The calcium concentration is
affected by your albumin level.
Uric Acid: increased
levels are seen in many disorders e.g. gout, while decreased levels are
probably of little clinical significance.
Glucose: useful in
the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus but levels vary widely depending on whether
fasting or after a meal. Increased and decreased levels can be seen in a number
of other clinical conditions.
Triglycerides, Cholesterol,
Iron: an essential
element, which takes part in many life processes. As a result, iron levels are
seen to widely fluctuate. Deficiency is a common cause of anaemia, although low
and high values are seen in many conditions.
