Healthy Bone Profile near me in New Delhi

Ph, Serum measures the levels of inorganic phosphates in blood. It is critical in the production and storage of energy as it forms a part of the energy currency of cells (Adenosine tri, di, and monophosphates). It is also a structural component of DNA. It is essential in the functioning of nerves and muscles, and in the growth and maintenance of healthy bones. In blood, phosphates act as buffers to maintain the pH and electrolyte balance of the body.

The main source of phosphorus comes from diet. Once consumed, it is quickly absorbed by the digestive system. In the body, most of the phosphates are bound to calcium in the bones and teeth. Some of it is found in muscles and nerves, and a small amount is present in cells, where it forms a structural component of DNA. Very small amounts of phosphates are normally found in circulation, and these levels are measured with blood phosphorus levels.

Phosphate levels in the blood are maintained within its very narrow normal concentration range by excretion of excess phosphorus through kidneys. Phosphate levels are also dependent on the levels of calcium, Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in blood.

Vitamin D Test measures the levels of Vitamin D in the blood. Two forms of vitamin D can be measured in the blood, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the major form found in the blood and is the relatively inactive precursor to the active hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Because of its long half-life and higher concentration, 25-hydroxyvitamin D is commonly measured to assess and monitor vitamin D status in individuals.

The 25-hydroxyvitamin D test is done to determine the level of Vitamin D in your blood, whether it is low or higher than normal. Low levels can be seen if a person is not getting enough exposure to sunlight or enough dietary vitamin D to meet his or her body's demand or if there is a problem with its absorption from the intestines (cystic fibrosis, crohn’s disease, who have undergone gastric bypass surgery). Sometimes, medicines used to treat seizure (Phenytoin) can cause Vitamin D deficiency by interfering with transformation to 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the liver. Severe liver and kidney diseases can also cause vitamin D deficiency. High levels reflects excess supplementation of the vitamin.

The alkaline phosphatase, serum test measures the alkaline phosphatase levels in the blood. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme which is found in various tissues throughout the body. The maximum concentrations of ALP are present in cells of bone and liver. Usually, raised levels of ALP are caused due to liver disease or bone disorders.

ALP is found in the liver on the cell edges that join to form bile ducts. The bile ducts are the tiny tubes which drain bile from the liver to the bowels. The bile juice formed is required by the small intestine to help digest fat in the diet.

ALP is produced by osteoblasts cells in the bone which are involved in bone formation. The various tissue types produce distinct forms of ALP which are known as isoenzymes.

The levels of ALP generally increase to a great extent if one or more bile ducts get blocked. The reason could be inflammation of the gallbladder which is known as cholecystitis or the presence of gallstones. The small amount of increase of ALP in the blood can be seen in liver cancer and cirrhosis. These high levels can also be observed if there is intake of medications toxic to the liver and hepatitis.

In conditions, where there is formation of excessive bones such as Paget’s disease one can also have increased levels of ALP. Along with that, higher blood ALP levels can be seen in children and adolescents, as they are in the growing stage and so are their bones.

Calcium (Ca) Test measures the levels of calcium in blood. Calcium is essential for body processes including cell signaling, blood clotting, contraction of muscles, and functioning of nerves. It plays a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. Deficiency of calcium results in Osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones lose their density and become soft and fragile, causing them to fracture very easily.

About 99% of the total amount of calcium received by the body is bound as calcium complex in bones, and the remaining 1% lies in blood circulation. Of the amount of calcium circulating in the blood, about half remains bound to albumin protein or other ions and are metabolically inactive, while the remaining half remains free and metabolically active. Blood Calcium tests can be of two types: Total Calcium Test used to measure the total calcium concentration in blood including both the free and bound forms, and Ionized Calcium Test used to measure the concentration of only the metabolically active form.

Calcium levels in the blood are maintained within a very narrow range by a number of mechanisms. Deviation from the normal range of calcium concentration causes Hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium), or Hypercalcemia (excess of calcium). Both these conditions impact normal body processes in the short term and may give rise to other conditions in the long term.

A blood calcium test cannot be used to check for a lack of calcium in your diet or for osteoporosis (loss of calcium from bones) as the body can have normal calcium levels even in case of dietary deficiency of Calcium. The body can augment mild calcium deficiency by releasing the calcium stored in bones.

The Uric acid test measures the levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a nitrogenous compound produced by the metabolic breakdown of purine. Purines are nitrogenous bases in DNA forming parts of the structural framework of the cells. Breakdown of purines occurs when cells become old and die, forming uric acid. Uric acid is also formed from the metabolic breakdown of some types of food like red meat, seafood, beans, etc.

Most of the uric acid in the blood is filtered and eliminated by the kidneys and a small remaining amount in the stool. The concentration of uric acid in the blood can increase due to overproduction of uric acid or improper elimination of uric acid, and this condition is called Hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia can also be caused due to cancer treatment by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These treatment methods kill the cancer cells, which may leak the uric acid into the blood.

Excess uric acid can form crystals in the synovial fluid between the joints causing inflammation and pain. This condition is called gout and can severely damage the joints if left untreated. The Uric Acid Test can indicate the presence of gout, or risk of formation of gout. However, it is not a definitive test for gout. Confirmatory test for gout is performed by analysis of synovial fluid (joint fluid) for monosodium urate crystals. Chronic Hyperuricemia can cause the formation of tophi, which are hard lumpy deposits of uric acid crystals formed under the skin, in the joints, and at the top of the ears. Tophi cause severe damage to the joints and may compress nerves causing chronic pain and disfigurement. The excess uric acid may also deposit and crystallize in the kidneys causing kidney stones and acute renal failure.