Plasma concentration tests measure the amount of a compound in a plasma sample and can aid in diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases. Tests can detect imbalances and monitor medication effectiveness and organ function. Reference ranges may be provided for normal results.
Plasma concentration is a measure of the amount of a compound present in a plasma sample. This can be important information for the diagnosis, treatment and management of the disease. Laboratory tests are available at many facilities to provide rapid plasma concentration data that may be needed in patient monitoring. Complex tests may require samples to be sent to a lab that specializes in this service to ensure results are accurate.
One reason to use plasma concentration is to test for levels of compounds found naturally in the body, such as C-reactive protein, which is associated with inflammation. People with abnormal blood chemistry may have health problems. Finding out which compounds are out of balance can help determine the nature of the problem. Abnormally high or low levels can be detected in the test and can be used as a basis for a diagnosis or treatment plan. For example, the patient may need anti-inflammatory drugs.
Another purpose for a plasma concentration test is to monitor a patient taking medication. Some drugs, rather than being given at a standard dose, are based on plasma concentration. The dosage is slowly increased until the test reveals that it has reached an effective level in the blood plasma. Once this point is reached, the dose can be stabilized to maintain the sufficient level. Effective ranges can vary with some drugs, in which case patients can be evaluated once they begin entering the target range to determine the lowest possible effective dosage.
Tests can also show how quickly a patient clears a drug from the body, which can provide important clues about liver and kidney function. Patients may need monitoring if they are in the ICU, where organs can fail and it can affect blood chemistry. This routine test may include blood plasma checks to identify early signs of problems. Plans of care may include testing at specific intervals to check the plasma concentration of key compounds and action plans to take if they change.
Laboratories may provide reference ranges when reporting plasma concentration. This allows someone reading the results to determine if the patient appears to be within the normal range. With tests that are commonly ordered, doctors and nurses may be familiar with the range and need not be reminded. In the event of unexpected anomalies, further testing may be advised to learn more about what is going on and determine what actions would be advisable to address the issue.
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