URINE ESTROGENS

Estrogens are both found in males and females but they occur more importantly in women than in men. In non pregnant women, estrogen is produced mainly synthesizes estradiol in minute amount while in pregnant women especially as the pregnancy progresses, increase in the estrogen level arises. Major production shifts from estradiol to estriol with only small amounts of estradiol is synthesized. That is why in pregnant women, urine estrogens are being tested to monitor the development of the unborn child.

Kober reaction

It is employed for urine estrogen determination.It involves heating a urine sample in a strong aqueous sulfuric acid solution containing hydroquinone. After cooling and dilution, the absorbance of the resulting reddish-brown color is measured and total estrogen concentration determined.

Precautions

Prior to analysis:

• The sample must be checked for glucose concentration
• Ask if the patient is on oral contraceptives
• Had been taking antibiotics like ampicillin or neomycin
• Other drugs like meprobamate, L-dopa and phenolphthalein

Specimen used

A 24-hour urine specimen is required

Major Drawbacks for this test

• Time needed for the collection of the sample
• Problems in obtaining a proper specimen
• Analytical methodology is often lengthy

Reference:
Clinical Chemistry. A Fundamental Textbook by Donald F. Calbreath pp. 326-327; 357-358

Am I in favor of Drug Testing in Schools?

Yes, I am in favor of the notion since drug addiction is an issue with the youth in all walks of life. There is no bad inclination to drug testing/screening in colleges and universities. I do believe that through this, it will put standard to our school system and eliminate drug-related issues inside the campus. It will also clear issues particularly the student's behavior towards school activities and requirements.Once and for all, the issue of drug addiction will be controlled.

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Toxicology in Everyday Life

“ BLAME IT ON THE AH..AH..Ah..aH..ah..ALCOHOL! “

- Jamie Foxx

I woke up that day with a pounding head and a dry, parched throat. It’s 10 in the morning and my stomach felt queasy. I looked into the mirror and saw what a total mess I am. After a while I observed red, blotchy spots all over my skin. I was starting to get worried when I remembered something from the past. OMG! My first ever experienced…and it is with JOHNNY by the way. It was that special occasion that led me to meet Johnny. I wonder what people may say after that night but it was a moment I most remembered.

Days and months passed after that episode in my life when my first encounter with GIL turned my world upside down. I don’t know why but the mere reason that he is always there, readily available made him one of my favorites. Way back then I was so young and I felt like he really rocked my world. Along with him, I also met others like Jack, Red, and Ken. In every occasion I made sure that they’re always present until one day I felt like I’m intoxicated and I need to get out.

For a while, I hang out with Margarita and Bloody Mary but they’re giving me the same. I don’t find satisfaction anymore. That’s it! going back to the present giving myself a once over. Actually it was just a bad case of skin rash popping up like that whenever I had too much of an alcohol...which means I have taken too much that my body can allow.Somebody would refer to it as an allergic reaction. Maybe my body was just telling me to take it slow.. one way to show me is by producing rashes around my skin.

This experience taught me that in life you should take things in moderation. Slowly but with finesse...I may not be a drunken master but I’m wiser now and that’s all that matters. As what all of the commercials about alcohol said: DRINK MODERATELY.

Cast of Characters:

Johnny (Walker)

Gil (Gilbeys Gin)

Jack (Jack Daniels)

Red (Redhorse)

Ken (Heineken)

Hope you had great time reading it! LOL


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TESTS FOR STEROID HORMONES

Generally, all hormones are tested in order to see if there is an imbalance..either under or over production of that sort which leads to certain abnormalities in the body. Steroid hormones involves assays or test which is only specific to a single hormone and other tests on the other hand would perform singly but measures other closely related hormones.

Urine, blood, and even saliva are specimen tested in steroid hormone analysis but since blood is normally used in clinical chemistry, preferred blood products for steroid hormone test is serum or plasma.

Immunoassay Techniques

It is a test that has a specific approach and techniques are particularly attractive for measurement of plasma levels since they can detect much lower quantities than other methods. Examples are Radioimmunoassay (RIA) and Enzyme immunoassay, both are used to measure specific steroid component.

Although immunoassay techniques had an advantage over other methods like ease and speed of use because of automation, they are not reliable when it comes to steroid analysis.Since various steroids have the same structure, specificity of antibodies are hard to detect and differentiate from one another. To avoid this, proper precautions should be taken.



Reference: Clinical Chemistry: A Fundamental Textbook by Donald F. Calbreath


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As I've mentioned above, other hormones can be tested using saliva as specimen. Is is called "Saliva Testing" which tests hormones such as estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol which are all under steroid hormones.

Please follow this link to know more about this test:

Steroid Hormones and its Functions

Steroid hormones are fat-soluble chemical messengers synthesized by the adrenal glands and both the male and the female gonads. They are the one responsible for the functions and development of sex characteristics.

Wonder why female and male specie are so totally different from one another? It’s because of these raging hormones…

Steroid hormones are classified into three (3) according to functions:

Mineralocorticoids are responsible for the electrolyte balance in the body. A good example of this is the aldosterone. Aldosterone promotes reabsoption process in the kidney which affects water retention inside the body.

Glucocorticoids functions in the regulation of body metabolism. Cortisol has the major role in a way it enhances glucose production from protein. By the breakdown of protein, cortisol level increases, thus, providing also an anti-inflammatory effect.

Sex steroids has the function to regulate sexual development.

The following are:

Progesterone is synthesized by the ovary and thus helps in the development and/or maintaining pregnancy.

Estrogen is also one of the hormones contributed in female secondary sex characteristic. There are three (3) major estrogens namely:

Estradiol has a role in the menstrual cycle

Estriol & Estrone are significant during pregnancy

For the male secondary sex characteristic, the hormone involved is the androgen.

During puberty the hormone produces testosterone which is synthesized by the testes that leads to the body development of males.

reference:

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Thanks for dropping by!

Toxicology, Endocrinology & Drug Testing

Come bitter pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark!
Here’s to my love! O true apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
- Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet-Act5)

You see ever since Romeo & Juliet was written, poisons have already been existing.In fact, philosopher Socrates died of it, unfortunately.Poisons are found to be in different colors, chemical properties and possesses different stages of lethality. That is why there is a thing called toxicology...

TOXICOLOGY is the study of adverse effects of toxins and/or poisons present in the body. Biologic agents such as these should be given proper precautions, but of course, awareness should be first. Seeing that trademark "skull bone" logo would already give you an idea.

DRUG TESTING

Drug testing played an important role to determine if there is a drug present and what is the drug present in the body of a certain person. This can be done by collecting samples of any biological specimen like urine and blood although there are cases in which the other specimen is much preferable than the other specimen. Moreover, each of the sample specimen has its own advantage/disadvantage over another. In relation with toxicology, drug testing is used to determine drug toxicity and drug dependency.

ENDOCRINOLOGY

The study of how the Endocrine System works and helps in tissue function by producing many different hormones. Since it involves endocrine glands like adrenal,pancreas,parathyroid,pituitary and thyroid gland, it influences most of our body system (majority of our body organs are rule by it).The study also involves disorders pertaining to all endocrine glands.