WHO Profile Basic in New Delhi

A VDRL; RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test looks for antibodies (specific proteins) that react to syphilis in the blood. This means the test doesn't find the actual bacteria that cause syphilis. Instead, it looks for antibodies against substances given off by cells that have been harmed by the bacteria.  Antibodies are a specific type of protein produced by your immune system to fight off any invader such as bacteria, virus or toxins. Detecting these antibodies can help your doctors know if you have syphilis. Untreated syphilis can spread to your eyes, blood vessels, heart and brain. But it can be easily cured if treated in the early stages.

An HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography test determines if HCV has infected you and helps your doctor guide your treatment. HCV causes liver inflammation and is classified into acute hepatitis infection and chronic hepatitis infection.

• Acute hepatitis C: This occurs in the first six months after exposure to the hepatitis C virus. In the early stage of the infection, acute hepatitis C is mild and may cause no symptoms. For this reason, most people do not know they have this infection.

• Chronic hepatitis C: If your body cannot fight off the virus, you can develop a chronic hepatitis C infection. Progression from acute to chronic hepatitis C is common, occurring in 75-85% of patients. Detecting chronic hepatitis C early is important to prevent future complications, such as liver failure, and initiate effective treatment.

A fasting blood sugar test measures the glucose level in the body under overnight fasting conditions. Glucose serves as the body's energy currency and is broken down through metabolism to produce energy. Hormones and enzymes produced by the liver and pancreas control this process. The hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, regulates blood glucose levels. When these levels are high, such as after a meal, insulin is secreted to transport glucose into cells for energy production. Elevated glucose levels in the body after fasting may indicate a risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes, which can be of two types- Type 1, caused by little or no insulin production, and Type 2, caused by insulin resistance or decreased insulin production.

An HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) test precisely measures the percentage of sugar-coated or glycated hemoglobin in your blood. The test results represent the proportion of hemoglobin in your blood that has been glycated. 

Hemoglobin, a vital protein found in red blood cells, is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Hemoglobin A is the most abundant form of hemoglobin, and when blood sugar levels increase, a higher proportion of hemoglobin A becomes glycated. As red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days, the sugar molecules remain attached to the hemoglobin for the duration of the cell's life. Consequently, the HbA1c test offers insight into your average blood sugar levels over the past 8 to 12 weeks.