Plasma Viscosity

Plasma viscosity testing is essential for individuals with conditions that affect plasma protein levels. Key groups who should be tested include:

- Patients with Inflammatory Diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis often elevate plasma viscosity. Regular testing helps monitor disease severity and treatment efficacy.

- Individuals with Malignant Disorders: Diseases such as multiple myeloma can cause significant increases in plasma viscosity due to paraprotein secretion.

- Those with Hyperviscosity Syndrome: Monitoring is crucial for managing symptoms and treatment response, particularly in cases involving IgM monoclonal proteins.

This test is invaluable for assessing acute phase responses and ensuring effective clinical management.

Understanding test results from the HLA DQ2/DQ8 lab test is crucial for assessing genetic risk for celiac disease. Here's a brief guide:

- Negative Result: Absence of DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes suggests a low likelihood of developing celiac disease.
- Positive Result: Presence of DQ2 and/or DQ8 indicates a genetic predisposition, increasing risk significantly.
- Half DQ2: Detection of only one allele (HLA-DQA1*05 or HLA-DQB1*02) suggests a lower, yet elevated risk.

While these results highlight genetic risk, they don't confirm celiac disease, necessitating further clinical evaluation.