Product Spotlight: Acusera Immunoassay Premium Plus Control
The Randox Acusera Immunoassay Premium Plus quality control covers an impressive 54 analytes with assayed instrument specific target values and ranges provided for up to 51 analytes. The unique combination of routine tumour markers, therapeutic drugs and Vitamin D allows laboratories to dramatically reduce the number of controls required while ultimately keeping costs to a minimum. Three levels of control are available with analytes present at clinically significant levels.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- 100% human serum
- Assayed, instrument specific target values provided for up to 51 parameters
- Ferritin and Vitamin B12 levels suitable for anaemia monitoring
- Ultra low TSH levels in the level 1 control
- Stable to expiry date at 2°C – 8°C
- Reconstituted stability of 7 days at 2°C – 8°C or 4 weeks at -20°C
- Contains routinely run tumour markers: AFP/CA15-3/CA19-9/CA-125/CEA/PSA/Free-PSA
Flexible options are available with a low, normal and high level, as well as a combined tri-level.
Description |
Size |
Analytes |
Cat No. |
| Immunoassay Premium Plus Level 1 | 12 x 5 ml | 54 | IA3109 |
| Immunoassay Premium Plus Level 2 | 12 x 5 ml | 54 | IA3110 |
| Immunoassay Premium Plus Level 3 | 12 x 5 ml | 54 | IA3111 |
| Immunoassay Premium Plus Tri-Level | 4 x 3 x 5 ml | 54 | IA3112 |
The clinical significance of some selected analytes.
Androstenedione
Androstenedione is an androgen, which are hormones responsible for the induction of sexual differentiation and produce secondary male physical characteristics such as a deep voice and facial hair. Another example is testosterone. They are also present in females as precursors to female hormones (such as estrogen).
This test measures the amount of androstenedione in the blood. Because AD has its origins in the adrenal glands, it is useful as a marker of adrenal gland function, of the function of the ovaries or testicles, and androgen production.
An androstenedione level may be used to [1]:
• Evaluate adrenal gland function and distinguish between androgen-secreting conditions that are caused by the adrenal glands from those that originate in the ovaries or testicles, if results of DHEAS and testosterone testing are abnormal • Help diagnose tumours in the outer layer (cortex) of the adrenal gland or tumours outside of the adrenal gland that secrete ACTH (ectopic) and separate these conditions from ovarian or testicular tumours and cancers • Diagnose congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and monitor CAH treatment, in addition to tests for testosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone • Help diagnose polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and help rule out other causes of infertility, no monthly menstrual periods (amenorrhea), and excess body and facial hair (hirsutism) in women who have abnormal results on tests for DHEAS, testosterone, and other hormones such as FSH, LH, prolactin, and estrogen • Help determine the cause of delayed puberty and investigate suspected ovarian or testicular failure • Investigate and diagnose the cause of male physical characteristics (virilisation) in young girls and early (precocious) puberty in young boys Digoxin
Digoxin is a therapeutic drug used to treat abnormal heart rhythms and failure. Heart failure causes the heart to become less effective at circulating blood, resulting in blood backing up in the hands, legs, liver, and lungs, causing swelling.
This test measures the level of digoxin in the blood. Digoxin is prescribed to patients to alleviate symptoms of heart failure by strengthening contractions, helping the heart pump blood more effectively. Digoxin can also be used to treat arrhythmias. It cannot be used to cure heart failure or arrhythmias but can help to manage the symptoms along with other medication, exercise and diet.
Digoxin levels are monitored due to the drug’s narrow safety range. If the level is too high, toxicity may occur, if too low, symptoms may recur.
• Monitor the concentration of the drug in the patient's blood • Determine if a patient's symptoms are due to insufficient levels of Digoxin or due to digoxin toxicity • Increase the strength and efficiency of heart contractions, helping control the rate and rhythm of the heart • Slows electrical conduction between the atria and the ventricles, which is useful in treating abnormally rapid atrial rhythms that can cause heart attacks Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is associated with the reproductive cycle and the release of an egg from the ovary in women and testosterone production in men. LH production is a complex system controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain, hormones produced in the testes and ovaries, and the pituitary gland.
This test measures the amount of luteinizing hormone in the blood or urine. It is used alongside other tests such as FSH, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone to investigate reproductive irregularities.
A luteinizing hormone level may be used [4]:
In both men and women:
• In the workup of infertility • To aid in the diagnosis of pituitary disorders that can affect LH production • To help diagnose conditions associated with dysfunction of the ovaries or testicles In women:
• In the investigation of menstrual irregularities • To detect a surge in LH levels during the menstrual cycle, helping determine when a woman is likely to be the most fertile In children:
• To diagnose delayed and precocious (early) puberty. Irregular timing of puberty may be an indication of a more serious problem involving the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the ovaries or testicles, or other systems Insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced and stored in the beta cells of the pancreas. It is secreted as a response to an elevated glucose level following a meal and is vital in the transportation and storage of glucose, the body’s primary source of energy. Insulin regulates blood glucose by helping transport it from blood to cells.
This test measures the amount of insulin in the blood. After a meal, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, this is then absorbed into the blood causing the blood glucose level to rise, this then falls as it moves into cells. If an individual cannot produce enough insulin, or if they are insulin resistant (cells are resistant to insulin’s effects), glucose does not reach the body’s cells and they starve. The blood glucose level will rise to an unhealthy level, which can cause various complications, including Diabetes.
An insulin level may be used to [5]:
• Diagnose an insulinoma, verify that removal of the tumor has been successful, and/or to monitor for recurrence • Diagnose the cause of hypoglycemia in an individual with signs and symptoms • Identify insulin resistance • Monitor the amount of insulin produced by the beta cells in the pancreas (endogenous); in this case, a C-peptide test may also be done. Insulin and C-peptide are produced by the body at the same rate as part of the conversion of proinsulin to insulin in the pancreas • Determine when a type 2 diabetic might need to start taking insulin to supplement oral medications • Determine and monitor the success of an islet cell transplant intended to restore the ability to make insulin, by measuring the insulin-producing capacity of the transplant What test results mean [5]:
DisorderFasting Insulin LevelFasting Glucose LevelInsulin resistance High Normal or somewhat elevated Not enough insulin produced in beta cells (diabetes, pancreatitis) Low High Hypoglycemia due to excess insulin (insulinomas, cushing syndrome) Normal or High Low
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References
[1] “Androstenedione”, Labtestsonline.org, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://labtestsonline.org/tests/androstenedione. [Accessed: 07- Aug- 2018].
[2] “Digoxin”, Labtestsonline.org, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://labtestsonline.org/tests/digoxin. [Accessed: 08- Aug- 2018].
[3] O. Ogbru and J. Marks, “digoxin, Lanoxin: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing”, MedicineNet. [Online]. Available: https://www.medicinenet.com/digoxin/article.htm#which_drugs_or_supplements_interact_with_digoxin?. [Accessed: 08- Aug- 2018].
[4] “Luteinizing Hormone (LH)”, Labtestsonline.org, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://labtestsonline.org/tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh. [Accessed: 08- Aug- 2018].
[5] “Insulin”, Labtestsonline.org, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://labtestsonline.org/tests/insulin. [Accessed: 08- Aug- 2018].
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