"Don't eat goat satay, there's a lot of cholesterol there.” We Indonesians might heard this so often. This is based on lots of information indicates cholesterol is the main cause of heart disease or stroke. # sahabatpramita, cholesterol is not always bad. In reasonable amounts, cholesterol plays essential role for us. Cholesterol is a fat produced by the body. Cholesterol can also be obtained from animal foods. Cholesterol helps the body produce vitamin D, hormones, and bile acids to di...

ECG (Electrocardiogram) and treadmill test (also known as exercise stress test) are two different diagnostic tests that are used to assess heart function and detect any abnormalities. Here are the main differences between the two:   1. Purpose: ECG is primarily used to detect and diagnose heart rhythm abnormalities or arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Treadmill test, on the other hand, is used to evaluate the response of the heart to exercise, detect coro...

Ultrasound is a crucial tool in monitoring the health and development of a fetus during pregnancy. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the baby and the uterus, allowing doctors to check for any abnormalities or potential complications. One of the most important uses of ultrasound is to determine the due date of the baby. This is done by measuring the size of the fetus and comparing it to standard growth charts. Knowing the due date is important for planning prenatal ca...

Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) – Blood Tests for TB Infection What are they? Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) are whole-blood tests that can aid in diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection How do they work? IGRAs measure a person’s immune reactivity to M. tuberculosis. White blood cells from most persons that have been infected with M. tuberculosis will release interferon-gamma (IFN-g) when mixed with antigens (substances that can produce an immune respon...

A blood test called  hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test reveals your average blood sugar (glucose) level over the previous two to three months. Your blood contains glucose, a form of sugar that is obtained from the food you eat. Glucose provides energy to your cells. The hormone insulin aids in the uptake of glucose by your cells. If you have diabetes, your body either produces insufficient insulin or your cells don't properly utilize it. Because of the inability of glucose to enter your cells,...

  A CA-125 test is a blood test that quantifies your body's levels of the protein CA-125, also known as cancer antigen 125. CA-125 is a form of biomarker, or a substance in your blood that could be an indication of a disorder or disease. Ovarian cancer may be indicated by a high CA-125 level. Your ovaries are a pair of reproductive glands that make hormones, store, and release eggs.   This test is also used by doctors to identify ovarian cancer early in high-risk patients. This m...