Laboratory News
Physicians and patients are encouraged to visit our web site for the latest technical updates.
TSH Range Change
Our TSH method has been revised to improve low-end sensitivity and precision. As a result, the reference range is 0.35 - 4.67.
Brain Natriuretic Protein (BNP)
BNP is performed in our special chemistry department. This test is a polypeptide (neurohormone) marker
used to aid in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF). Currently, more than five million people
in the United States are believed to have this disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure are
important factors in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Studies have shown that
the BNP is a strong predictor of the presence or absence of congestive heart failure, particularly when used
in conjunction with the best clinical predictor, which is an increased heart size on chest radiograph.
(Peacock, W.F. The B-Type natriuretic
peptide assay: A rapid test for heart failure. Cleveland Clinical
Journal of Medicine 2002. 69:243-251).
hsCRP Testing
Centrex Clinical Labs offers >strong>Highly Sensitive CRP testing
as part of a Cardiovascular Risk Panel. The panel includes a total
cholesterol (CPT4 Code 82465), HDL cholesterol (CPT4 Code 83718),
Highly sensitive CRP (CPT4 Code 86140) and the cardiovascular relative
risk.
The Cardiovascular relative risk provides an assessment of the relative
risk for a cardiovascular event based on the combination of the highly
sensitive CRP result and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.
When combined with a total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol values, highly sensitive CRP results
have been shown in numerous clinical studies to improve by as much as four times, a physician’s ability to predict
risk of cardiovascular or peripheral vascular disease as compared to existing methods.
The determination of the cardiovascular risk ratio is based on studies performed at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
and Harvard Medical School. These studies have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine,
reference: N Engl J Med 2000, 342:836-843.
Information regarding these new services, copies of our technical updates, and our directory of services manual
are available. Call Joe Juidiciani, Vice President of Sales at 1.800.753.8653. Or email josephj@centrexlabs.com
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