🧬 1. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) - Total

• Purpose: Screens for prostate abnormalities, especially prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostatitis.
• Details: PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. While small amounts are normal, elevated PSA levels can indicate:
  • Prostate cancer (if persistently high or rising)
  • Prostate inflammation or infection
  • Enlarged prostate (non-cancerous)
• Note: PSA can also be raised due to recent ejaculation, cycling, or a rectal exam.

🚽 2. Urine Complete (Urine Routine – 18 Parameters)

• Purpose: A basic health screening tool to detect:
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Kidney disorders
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Diabetes (sugar or ketones in urine)
• Key Components Analyzed:
  • Physical: Color, appearance, specific gravity
  • Chemical: pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, nitrites
  • Microscopic: Red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelial cells, crystals, casts, bacteria

🦠 3. Anti-Streptolysin O (ASO)

• Purpose: Detects a recent or past infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria.
• Indications: High levels may suggest:
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (a kidney disease)
• Clinical Use: Helps investigate inflammatory conditions that arise after untreated throat infections.

🧷 4. Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

• Purpose: Assists in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
• Details: RF is an autoantibody.
• Elevated levels may be seen in:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sjögren’s syndrome
  • Chronic infections or other connective tissue disorders

🧪 5. ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

• Purpose: Measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube over an hour—an indirect marker of inflammation.
• Raised ESR is associated with:
  • Autoimmune diseases (like lupus or RA)
  • Chronic infections
  • Anemia
  • Cancers
• Note: It is non-specific, often used alongside other tests like CRP for context.

🔥 6. C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

• Purpose: A sensitive marker of inflammation, produced by the liver.
• High CRP levels may indicate:
  • Bacterial infections
  • Inflammatory diseases (e.g., RA, vasculitis)
  • Cardiovascular risk if mildly elevated
• Note: CRP rises quickly in acute conditions, making it useful for monitoring disease activity or treatment response.