A cleaning spree at home leaves you sneezing, sniffling, and teary eyed for hours. Or, maybe you break into hives after chocolate or seafood? Nasal block or runny nose might make it hard for you to stay outdoors on certain times of the year. All of these are allergy symptoms.

There are a million and more types of allergy and it comes in all shapes and sizes. From allergy to certain food, substances, climatic conditions to even something essential like water, allergies can be the bane of our existence. The only way to know for sure what may be triggering a particular symptom in you is to get allergy tests done.

Why Are Allergy Tests Important?

Allergies are severe reactions by our immune systems to certain triggers. It could show up in many different forms like sneezing, rashes, inflammation among others. This is your body reacting to a substance that does not agree with you.

When an allergic reaction starts, your body produces antibodies to combat it. While some allergies are mild and can pass after a while, other allergies can be crippling and even fatal. It is very important to be aware of what the allergen is. Only then can one fully avoid or take precautions against it. Allergy tests are a way to identify the culprits behind an allergic reaction. They are the first step in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.

Once identified, the doctor asks the patient to avoid whatever it is that causes the allergy. For example, in case of dust allergy, you may be asked to keep away from such an environment or use a precaution like a mask if it is unavoidable. Your doctor may also prescribe you antihistamines to control mild allergic reactions or an emergency treatment for something more severe.

How is the Test Done?

Allergy testing is done in three ways — a skin prick test, intradermal test and patch test. These are different from each other in terms of the depth at which the possible allergen is administered to the skin.

Skin prick test – A small amount of the potential allergens is placed on the skin, probably the forearm. A small prick is made allowing the allergen to penetrate the skin. The doctor views closely for signs of allergic reaction. It takes 15-20 minutes.

Intradermal test – This test injects the allergen into the skin. The doctor watches for a reaction to determine the correct allergen. It is often tested for bee venom or penicillin.

Patching test – In this test, the possible allergen is taped to the skin for a time period to observe reaction. It usually takes 48 hours to do this test. The skin is observed for reaction upto 96 hours.

The Results and What They Mean

Normal result/ negative result – If there is no allergic reaction — that is, no visible change has occurred — then you are probably not allergic to that substance. This is a negative result.

Abnormal/Positive result – A reaction occurs in your skin and the test area is red and inflamed. The strength of your reaction is gauged by the severity of the reaction. The stronger the reaction, the more sensitive you are to the substance.

These tests are usually accurate. However, false results can show up if the potential allergen is used in large quantities. In large quantities, people who do not have allergies may also show positive.

Trustworthy Allergy Testing in Kolkata at Competitive Costs

The average allergy test cost in Kolkata and elsewhere in India can be upwards of Rs.4000 and up to Rs.8000. At AccuHealth Diagnostics, our affordable allergy test costs in all our branches start at Rs. 2300. Take advantage of our state-of-the-art lab facilities and commitment towards your health today!

Uric acid is a waste product that should ideally be flushed out from the body by the kidneys through the urine. It is formed during the oxidation of a substance called purine, which is present in living cells and certain types of food like meat products, alcoholic beverages, organ meats like liver, seafood, and shellfish.

Most uric acid dissolves in blood and exits in urine. However, there may be instances where the body produces excessive quantities of uric acid and does not release enough of it in the urine, resulting in crystal-like formation in the joints and causing inflammation and severe pain around them. High uric acid levels in the body lead to gout, arthritic conditions, kidney stones, and kidney damage.

In this article, we cover five important facts about uric acid blood tests.

A Uric Acid Test Can Be Done for a Host of Symptoms

Your doctor will order a uric acid test when you show symptoms of gout like swollen, warm, and painful joints. You may have to take the test even when you show symptoms of kidney stones like shooting pain in the abdomen, or the back, urinary frequency, dysuria, blood in the urine, and malodorous urine. The doctor will examine the cause of frequent kidney stones, and regulate uric acid levels in people undergoing treatment for cancer.

 It’s a Normal Blood Test

It is like any routine blood test where the technician will draw sample blood from a vein in your arm into a  vial. For a uric acid blood test, you need no special preparations, except that you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the test or take any medication that could affect the test results.

 You Don’t Have to Wait Too Long to Get the Results

The report usually arrives on the same day or may take a couple of days, depending on the testing center. If the results show high levels of uric acid in the blood, it is a condition called hyperuricemia.

High Uric Acid Levels Might Show Poor Kidney Function

The normal range lies between 3.5 to 7.2 mg/dL. High levels are anything beyond 6 mg/dL in women, and over 7 mg/dL in men. Blood test results showing high uric acid levels could indicate kidney ailments, consumption of a purine-rich diet, preeclampsia in women (a pregnancy complication), alcoholism, or reaction to cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiation can escalate uric acid levels in the blood).

It’s Not A Cause For Concern Always

High uric acid levels will not necessarily cause disease symptoms, which will not require any treatment. However, consult your healthcare provider for all medical guidelines and suggestions.

Uric Acid Blood Test Cost

Uric acid test cost in Kolkata could range anywhere between 100 – 250/- (INR), depending on the diagnostic center where you are getting tested.

AccuHealth Diagnostics is Kolkata’s leading healthcare system. We are a trusted name in delivering high-quality diagnostic tests across Kolkata. Book an online uric acid blood test with us today for a home collection. Get the fastest report delivery system through various modes at affordable pricing. Get in touch with us at one of our centers, visit us at https://www.accuhealthlabs.com/ , or call us with your inquiries at our toll-free number 1800-120-3877.

There could be multiple medical reasons preventing women in their reproductive years from conceiving and bearing a child naturally. The most cited reasons are blocked fallopian tubes, uterine anomalies, cancerous growths, polyps, uterine scarring, etc.

The hysterosalpingogram (aka HSG) test is used to check for abnormalities inside the uterus and the fallopian tubes to identify the problem areas preventing pregnancy.

In the following sections, we will discuss everything you need to know about the HSG test. We will also mention the best HSG test centre in Kolkata to help you get your testing done at economical pricing with reliable results.

What Is The HSG Test?

The HSG is an x-ray testing procedure that is performed in the radiology department or the outpatient facility of a hospital. It is done to examine the insides of a woman’s reproductive organs to ascertain if they are in functional order and to spot any irregularities that are thwarting pregnancy, leading to infertility.

The proximal or distal anomalies (if present) in the fallopian tubes and/or the uterine cavity show up on the x-ray machine. The images provide valuable information to the doctor regarding your reproductive anatomy and the exact nature of fertility issues. HSG images help the doctor to select the best line of treatment concerning the test inputs.

HSG Test Procedure

Contrary to popular opinion, an HSG test procedure is not unbearably painful, though it might cause slight discomfort given the nature of the examination. The doctor will ask you to take over-the-counter pain medication in advance and prescribe antibiotics to prevent local infections after the procedure.

During the procedure, you will be required to split your legs apart as you lie on a table. The specialist will clean your cervix before inserting a thin tube containing a special dye solution, called contrast material, through the vagina into the uterus. The x-ray machine will capture all images of the uterine cavity and your fallopian tubes.

You may feel a slight cramping sensation in the abdominal region, as the dye is introduced inside. The dye will freely flow through an open tube and spill out automatically. In case of obstructions like blocked tubes, there will be no spillage. The dye material also outlines abnormal (uterine) cavity shapes.

When Should the HSG Test Be Done?

The HSG test is best done in the first 14 days after your last menstrual cycle and before your ovulation begins for the next period. This is the phase when you have the least chance of conceiving.

Unless the causes of infertility are clinically serious, most women report success rates at pregnancy within the first three months of an HSG test. This is because the dye acts as a cleansing agent to remove debris from blocked tubes and uterine linings to improve the chances of fertility.

HSG Test Cost in Kolkata

For a painless HSG test in Kolkata, consider AccuHealth Diagnostics as your go-to destination. It is the most trusted HSG test lab in Kolkata with its exceptional and secure diagnostic services at an affordable pricing system.

Give us a quick call at our toll-free number or visit us at https://www.accuhealthlabs.com/  to know more about HSG testing and our attractive price package.

Iron deficiency is a common problem where the body is unable to make enough red blood cells. The red pigment, called hemoglobin, plays a pivotal role in carrying oxygen to body tissues and cells. Iron is needed to form hemoglobin in the body, and its deficiency exposes the body to myriads of infections and other diseases.

In this blog, you will read what iron deficiency is, and about the ferritin test which is commonly ordered by medical practitioners to check the iron levels in the body to enable it to work in optimum condition.

What Does Iron Deficiency Mean?

Hemoglobin is an oxygen carrier that supplies oxygen to different organ cells, also removing waste products (carbon dioxide) from them. One-third of iron in the body is stored as protein in ferritin.

The importance of iron in the body cannot be overestimated. Hemoglobin production gets compromised in the event of iron deficiency, and this results in reduced oxygen levels in the blood.

Symptoms of iron deficiency include lightheadedness, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, palpitation, pale skin, irritability, etc.

How Does The Ferritin Test Help To Determine Iron Deficiency?

Ferritin is a blood protein containing iron. It acts like a storehouse that releases iron when the body needs it. If there are lower than normal levels of iron in ferritin, then it will indicate anemia. The ferritin test is one that doctors routinely order to check iron deficiency (or even excess of it). In the event of a deficiency, it measures by how much exactly your body is lacking in iron. The doctor plans a treatment following the ferritin test result.

Low ferritin levels due to iron deficiency would mean that you do not include iron-enriched food in your daily diet. The test is useful to detect the exact cause of iron deficiency in the body. The normal serum ferritin level is 24-336 micrograms per liter for an adult male and 11-307 micrograms per liter for females.

The test is also used when the doctor suspects conditions that can result from iron depletion in your body.

What To Expect In A Ferritin Test?

The test is usually taken on an empty stomach in the morning. You may have your doctor’s instructions to observe at least 12 hours of fasting before the test.  The ferritin test is like any other routine blood test where a sample is drawn from a vein in the arm and put into a vial. The whole process takes less than five minutes.

Ferritin Test Price

A ferritin blood test cost is fairly affordable and is not so high yet in a place like India.  However, it could vary marginally between cities. Usually, in a place like Kolkata, a serum ferritin test price ranges between 300/- to 1700/-, with an average costing 692/- (INR).

Final Words

The adage “a stitch in time saves nine” cannot be more appropriate in matters of health. It is wise to consult a specialist without delay and follow their instructions to prevent the worsening of a medical condition.

AccuHealth Diagnostics is here to guarantee reliable test results with a quick delivery system. Please reach us @ www.accuhealthlabs.com for test queries or any medical assistance that you may require.