What Is DHA? Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that is abundant in the brain, being crucial in brain structure. As such DHA is a key component of neuronal membranes together with arachidonic acid (a major opposing ...
Read More »Anemia, Iron Deficiency
What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia? Iron deficiency anemia is a blood cell disorder that is characterized by formation of small, pale red blood cells, causing tissue hypoxia. Hypoxia is the inability to meet the demands of the body for oxygen. ...
Read More »Zincemia (Low Zinc Blood Level)
What Is Zincemia? Zincemia means the zinc level in blood plasma is too low to meet metabolic needs of the body for this mineral. Q: How important is a normal blood level of zinc? A: A low blood level of ...
Read More »Copper Deficiency
What Is Copper Deficiency? Copper is an essential trace element that is required for a number of enzymes which are necessary for normal metabolic function. In the body almost all the copper is present as a component of copper proteins ...
Read More »Anemia, Folic Acid Deficiency
What Is Folic Acid Or Folate Deficiency Anemia? Folic acid deficiency anemia, also called folate deficiency anemia, is a macrocytic anemia characterized by defective DNA synthesis of red blood cells that results from a lack of folate in the body. ...
Read More »Abnormal Blood Values in Childhood
What Are Abnormal Blood Values In Childhood? Abnormal blood studies in childhood are lab results showing blood abnormalities for blood cells and blood components. What Are Abnormal Blood Values In Childhood in Celiac Disease?
Read More »Arachidonic Acid (AA) Deficiency
What Is Arachidonic Acid? Arachidonic acid is a major essential (must have/can’t make) omega-6 fatty acid. Structurally, arachidonic acid is a key component of nerve membranes, together with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a major opposing omega-3 fatty acid, making up 15-20% ...
Read More »Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Deficiency
What Is Riboflavin? Riboflavin, also called vitamin B2, is fundamentally required for the breakdown of carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats in metabolism, enables oxygen to be used by cells, and acts as a component of more than a dozen enzymes involved ...
Read More »Prolonged Prothrombin Time
What Is Prolonged Prothrombin Time? Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) is a laboratory blood test result showing that blood clots too slowly which makes the patient subject to abnormal bleeding. Q: What does the prothrombin time (PT) test measure? A: The ...
Read More »Anti-Endomysium Antibodies (EMA) Present In Blood
What Are Anti-Endomysium Antibodies? Anti-endomysium antibodies (EmA) are connective tissue autoantibodies produced in persons who have inherited the genes for celiac disease, an autoimmune disease, and are reacting to gluten in their diet. Autoantibodies are abnormal in that they attack ...
Read More »Anti-Gliadin Antibodies Present
What Are Anti-Gliadin Antibodies? Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) are produced by the body as an immune response against partially digested gliadin peptides (fragments) that have abnormally entered the body from the intestinal tract. Gliadin is a protein in wheat grain. Anti-gliadin antibodies circulating ...
Read More »Bone Alkaline Phosphatase (BALP), Elevated
What Is Elevated Bone Alkaline Phosphatase? Elevated bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) is a laboratory result that indicates an abnormal blood level of this bone enzyme. A bone alkaline phosphatase blood level is one of the most frequently used biochemical markers of ...
Read More »Anti-tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies (tTG) Present In Blood
What Are Anti-tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies? Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG) are connective tissue autoantibodies and can be detected in blood samples from affected persons who are reacting to gluten in the diet. Autoantibodies are abnormal because they attack the body’s own ...
Read More »Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia
What Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia? Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a megaloblastic anemia that is characterized by defective DNA synthesis of red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is essential for normal blood cell formation. ...
Read More »Hypokalemia (Low Potassium Blood Level)
What Is Hypokalemia? Hypokalemia means the level of potassium in the bloodstream is too low to meet metabolic needs of the body for this mineral and is characterized by metabolic acidosis, altered nerve conduction and muscle contraction. Rapid potassium loss can ...
Read More »