During a heart attack, proteins called troponins are released from damaged heart muscle. If a series of sensitive troponin blood tests show no increase during the twelve hours after the onset of chest pain, a heart attack can be ruled out. A recent clinical study from Manchester Royal Infirmary has found that an undetectable sensitive troponin level in the first blood sample of the series allows heart attack to be ruled out immediately. However, patients whose blood carries an antibody to troponin can have misleadingly low test results. Recent work from Germany has strongly suggested that reliability can be improved by the addition of a second rapid test for the stress hormone copeptin.

After wide consultation, the US Endocrine Society has suggested that all patients should have a laboratory measurement of blood glucose (blood sugar) on admission to hospital. Raised values are common, even in non-diabetics on general wards, and control of blood glucose has been shown to result in fewer complications and a shorter hospital stay.

‘PSA blood tests are still not good enough to screen for prostate cancer’ remains the recommendation of the UK National Screening Committee. They conclude that the high levels of test false positives cause worry and anxiety and that these harms outweigh potential benefits.

On the 9th of June 2014, NHS England issued a patient safety alert to clinical laboratories recommending the implementation of a standardised algorithm to detect acute kidney injury (AKI). The alert provides a standardised version of the algorithm to ensure the same practice is used across all NHS laboratories in England and is aimed to reducing the damage caused by delayed recognition of the condition.

A study from Sheffield University has shown that if a blood sample takes a long time to break down after clotting, there is an increased risk of a further heart attack, or death due to cardiovascular disease.

Lab Tests Online was recently recognised with an Award of Distinction in the 18th Annual Communicator Awards.

NHS England is funding the wide availability of a genetic test for cancer patients that will warn doctors if treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is likely to cause severe and potentially fatal side effects

There have been stories in the media recently regarding the UK launch of a personal/home DNA testing kit by the US-based biotech company 23&Me. For a nominal fee, users can have their DNA analysed for some common gene sequences associated with increased risk of developing a certain disease condition or physical trait. Whilst we at Lab Tests Online-UK are in favour of enhancing patient knowledge and understanding of information regarding healthcare, we strongly recommend that users consider their options carefully before purchasing their genetic information. Please click on the link above for the full story.