Immunochemistry entails the usage of rapid, robust and simple automated techniques for carrying out routine analysis in laboratories. Immunochemistry brought about a remarkable change in laboratory tests, after the invention of immunological reagents and immunoassay equipment. Emil von Behring has made a greater contribution to the field of immunochemistry, by inventing serum antibodies in the year 1890. Later on, immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry techniques were introduced by many other researchers to this field.
Certain applications of immunohistochemistry include diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, determining the response to therapy, and to identify infections affecting the body, and diagnosis of muscular disorders, and most importantly identifying prognostic markers in cancer. Certain applications of Immunocytochemistry include identification of lung adenocarcinoma and metastatic merkel cell carcinoma.
Common Immunochemistry Tests
Haptoglobin Test
Our liver produces a protein known as haptoglobin. The haptoglobin test is normally performed to measure haptoglobin in the blood. The test can detect hemolytic anaemia, a disorder that occurs when the destruction of red blood cells is faster than its production and also used to detect other types of anaemia.
There is no special preparation required prior to a haptoglobin test. Our healthcare provider will draw blood by inserting a needle into your vein. The blood will be collected in a vial or a small tube. The blood test lasts only for a few minutes. You’ll get the blood test results within a few days.
Immunoglobulin Test
The immunoglobulin test is normally performed to measure immunoglobulin, also known as antibodies, in the blood. Our immune cells produce a protein known as antibodies to fight off viruses, bacteria and other infectious agents that enter our body. Immunoglobulin test can detect disorders of the immune system. There are different types of Immunoglobulins, such as IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE.
Our healthcare provider will take a sample of your blood by inserting a needle into your vein. The blood will be collected in a vial or a small tube. Your blood sample will be sent to the medical lab for testing.
Ceruloplasmin Test
Our liver produces a glycoprotein known as ceruloplasmin. The ceruloplasmin test is normally performed to measure ceruloplasmin, in the body. A ceruloplasmin test is done to diagnose Wilson’s disease or hepatolenticular degeneration, a genetic disorder where a large amount of copper accumulates in the organs.
In order to confirm the diagnosis, you have to take blood and urine copper tests besides a ceruloplasmin test. There is no preparation required prior to a ceruloplasmin test. Our healthcare provider draws blood by inserting a needle into your vein. The sample of blood will be collected in a small tube. For analysis, your blood sample will be sent to the medical lab.
Antistreptolysin O Titer(ASO) Test
Group A Streptococcus bacteria(GAS Bacteria) produces a toxin known as Streptolysin O. The Antistreptolysin O titer test is performed to measure antibodies that are produced as a response to Streptolysin O. Antistreptolysin O titer test is normally done to check for a strep infection caused by the GAS bacteria.
Your doctor will inform you whether you need any special preparation prior to the ASO test. You may be asked to fast for 6 hours or stop taking any medications prior to the test. Our healthcare provider will draw a sample of blood by inserting a needle into your vein. The blood sample will be sent to the medical lab for analysis. Our doctor will explain to you the results. The test results that indicate ASO levels below 200 are considered as normal. But the results differ from one laboratory to that of another.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Test
Our liver produces a protein known as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin. The Alpha-1 Antitrypsin test is normally performed to measure Alpha-1 Antitrypsin level, in the blood. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin protects our lungs from various lung conditions and damages. An Alpha-1 Antitrypsin test is performed in a medical lab to diagnose Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency in people who have a lung disorder, and also to diagnose certain rare liver conditions in infants.
Your blood sample will be taken by inserting a small needle into your vein in the arm. The blood will be collected in a vial or a small tube. The blood test takes less than 5 minutes. You don’t need any special preparation prior to an Alpha-1 Antitrypsin test.
Serum Protein Electrophoresis Test
The Serum Protein Electrophoresis test is normally performed to measure the level of certain types of protein in the blood. The test is performed in a medical lab to monitor and diagnose certain medical conditions such as certain types of cancer, disorders of the immune system, kidney and liver.
There is no preparation required prior to a serum protein electrophoresis test. Our healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood by inserting a small needle into your vein. You will get the results after 2 to 3 days.
Normally there is no special preparation required prior to most of the immunochemistry tests, except for Antistreptolysin O Titer(ASO) Test. But you can ask your doctor if you need any special preparation or not before you undergo an immunochemistry test. If you’re looking for an immunochemistry lab, Tesla scans and healthcare will be the best option for you. Here we perform a wide variety of immunochemistry tests, to diagnose various medical conditions, within the shortest possible time.