A C4 test measures the amount of a protein called C4 circulating in the bloodstream. A low C4 level could indicate collagen vascular diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. By measuring C4 protein levels, your healthcare provider can diagnose and monitor certain diseases. Your doctor will perform this test if he notices symptoms related to autoimmune diseases.
Before taking the test, You need to tell your doctor about all the medication, any vitamin supplements, herbs you are taking. You must also clarify whether you are taking any over-the-counter medications or any illegal drugs. It is important to inform the doctor regarding the medications because certain medications that you are currently taking may influence the outcomes of the test. If informed beforehand, the healthcare provider can interpret the test results more accurately and avoid misdiagnosis. There is no need of any other specific procedure that needs to be followed before taking this test.
The normal complement C4 range for men:
between 12 and 72 milligrams of complement per decilitre of blood.
The normal complement C4 range for women:
between 12 and 72 milligrams of complement per decilitre of blood.
A high value (greater than 45 mg/dL) for the test may indicate:
Acute rheumatic fever
Infection
Cancer
A low value (less than 15 mg/dL) for the test may indicate:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
Cirrhosis
Multiple sclerosis
Anemia
Bacterial endocarditis
Glomerulonephritis
Septicemia
Your doctor will recommend the treatment based on the results.
The C4 test is generally done by drawing a small sample of blood. Initially, the health care provider will disinfectant the area from where the blood needs to be drawn with 70% alcohol. Usually they choose the elbow or the top of your hand. If they are drawing blood from the vein inside the elbow, they will get the vein swell by wrapping a rubber band tightly across the upper hand. After that, they will insert a needle and draw blood and collect it in a tube attached to the needle. After enough blood is drawn, they will remove the needle and bandage the puncture site. The blood is immediately transferred to a container that has the appropriate preservative/clot activator/anti-coagulant. The healthcare provider will also collect the blood at the puncture site onto a slide or a testing strip which is placed inside a pipette. The syringe is disposed for safety and hygiene conditions.
| Type | Gender | Age-Group | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
|
C4 Complement
|
Unisex
|
All age groups
|
12 - 75mg/dl
|
Ghee has lost its glory. In-spite of being a saturated fat, ghee has shown to reduce both serum and intestinal cholesterol by triggering secretion of billiard lipids.
Reasons to consume ghee in your diet:
1. Ghee is also called as clarified butter. It’s short chain fatty acid structure imparts lipolysis properties which helps in breaking down the fat itself.
2. It’s antibacterial and antiviral properties makes it a perfect immune booster.
Vitamin D and pregnancy hand in hand go together. Expecting mothers need ensure they get the recommended amounts of Vitamin D during pregnancy for the healthy development of the baby as well as their own well-being.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin obtained mostly from consuming fortified milk or juice, fish oils, and dietary supplements. It also is produced in the skin by exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D which is ingested or produced in the skin must undergo hydroxylation in the liver and kidney to promote absorption of calcium from the gut to enable normal bone mineralization and growth. Severe maternal Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with congenital rickets and disordered skeletal homeostasis coupled with fractures in the new-born during pregnancy. Vitamin D is necessary for the metabolism and absorption of phosphorus and calcium. Many studies are finding a connection between low serum vitamin D levels and an increased risk of certain types of autoimmune disease, cancers, insulin resistance, neurological disease and cardiovascular disease.
Latest studies have shown that Vitamin D deficiency is common during pregnancy especially among women residing in northern latitudes, living in cold climates or wear sun and winter protective clothing and ethnic minorities, especially those with darker skin. As the Vitamin D level of new-born is largely dependent on maternal Vitamin D status, the infants of mothers with vitamin D deficiency are also at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Inadequate vitamin D can lead to abnormal bone growth, fractures, or rickets in new-borns. Deficiency of vitamin D leads to a higher risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, premature birth and low birth weight.
The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency include aching muscles, bone pain, and softened bones leading to fractures. Fish liver oil, fatty fish, and eggs are excellent food source for Vitamin D. It is difficult to get sufficient vitamin D from food, which makes it necessary to have Vitamin D supplements. Since the skin uses the sun's rays to produce vitamin D, limited sun exposure is recommended. Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays intensifies the pigment changes causing skin darkening in pregnant women. Thus, most doctors endorse that pregnant women protect themselves from the sun and get their vitamin D from supplements. The average prenatal vitamin contains 400 IU of vitamin D, which makes it imperative that additional supplements should be taken. The significant compounds for human development are D2 and D3. The best way to really ensure adequate vitamin D is through simple supplementation. Ergocalciferol is the vegetarian form of vitamin D whereas cholecalciferol is the animal-sourced form, derived from fish liver oil or lanolin from sheep.
Luscious, healthy hair is undoubtedly one of the most prominent feature that adds charm to your personality. However, a minor or severe form of physical or mental stress and related problems can adversely affect your hair health and growth pattern.
Are you losing too many hair strands in a day?
If yes, then tentatively, how many?
If the number is about 100, then you need not worry, however, if it is beyond 100 you need to get cautious.
On an average, an adult has 100,000 to 150,000 hair and each hair follicle has its own life cycle, and traverses through three phases during its growth phase; anagen (active hair growth takes place), catagen (transitional hair growth), and telogen (resting phase after which the hair sheds off). Hair fall is a normal physiological process in which the hair completes its life cycle and sheds off. However, excessive hair fall is a health concern that needs thorough evaluation and treatment.
Have you heard of telogen effluvium?
Telogen effluvium (TE) also called as hair loss is a common dermatological condition which causes increased shedding of hair. This happens when there is a premature arrest of the growth of hair follicles and these follicles enter into the telogen phase (resting) followed by diffuse thinning of hair on the scalp. In most cases, the hair thins on the top of the scalp compared to the sides and back of the scalp. The hair loss is temporary and the hair soon recovers.
How common is telogen effluvium in India?
Studies suggest that TE is amongst the most common cause of hair loss. It can occur in both males and females. However, it is found to be more common in females.
What are the common causes of telogen effluvium?
Common causes of TE include certain medical condition, stress, pregnancy, crash dieting, nutritional deficiencies, intake of certain medicines, and physical trauma.
A common cause of hair loss in the Indian population is diet. A major proportion of the Indian population consumes a diet lacking essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, predisposing the population to this condition. It, therefore, becomes more important to include vital minerals such as zinc, amino acids (such as L-lysine), and vitamins (such as B6 and B12) to your daily diet or to take supplements available in the market.
Are Indians at an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies?
Yes, Indians are at an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies. Several research studies conducted in the past outline a direct association of nutritional deficiencies with hair loss.
In fact, according to a clinical survey published in Indian Medical Gazette, 9 out of 10 people in the country are unable to consume adequate amount of proteins. Working population settled in urban areas have been found to be most commonly affected by protein deficiencies.
How can you ensure healthy and luscious hair?
Simple 7 steps to healthy hair
Volumes of literature support the need for adding nutritional supplements to the diet to avert the occurrence of hair fall. Often TE gets better once the trigger for the condition is taken care of. However, if in case it persists make sure you consult a medical professional at the earliest.
Step 1: It’s all about what you eat (have a BALANCED DIET!!!)
Step 2: Massage your scalp regularly
Massage has been found to improve the blood circulation to the hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. Try essential oils such as olive oil, castor oil, rosemary oil, and coconut oil to massage your scalp. Warm oil helps penetrate the scalp more effectively. You can also apply hair serums that are enriched with nutrients that nourish the hair and keep it healthy.
Step 3: Choose your SHAMPOO wisely
Watch out for harsh chemicals like parabens, lauryl sulfate, and sodium chloride. Parabens which are used as preservatives in shampoos can mimic as estrogens which lead to hair loss. Lauryl sulfate, an anionic surfactant used in many cleaning and hygiene products, also cause hair fall. You can also apply certain over-the-counter products that help in better penetration of anti-hair fall medications and enhance their action.
Step 4: Get sufficient Vitamin D (Don’t hide from the sun)
Little do we realize that sunlight actually plays a critical role in promoting hair growth. Sunlight helps you get your daily dose of Vitamin D which is helpful in managing hair fall, so don’t hide from it!
Step 5: Say NO to stress
Stress is amongst the key factors governing a happier and healthier you. So, make sure it does not serve as a roadblock in your health.
Eat healthy and bring in basic lifestyle changes in your day to day life to avert the chances of triggered hair fall.
Step 6: Go for hair growth supplements
-Keratin makes up most of our hair strands and amino acids such as cysteine, lysine, arginine, and methionine play a critical role in the formation of the hair strands. The market is loaded with several supplements (oral and topical) that help to provide the hair with essential nutrients and vitamins. You can choose to pick supplements that are a source of vital minerals and vitamins essential for hair growth.
Step 7: Seek help from a dermatologist/ trichologist
In today's hectic and stressful time, where both men and women have their own priorities physical intimacy has taken a back seat. Most men complain that women are sexually passive because they do not initiate sex more often and that makes them question their own sexual viability. In reality, women want sex as much as men do, but it takes a right man and right situations to get her in the mood for it. The sole reason for it is unlike men; women's sexual desire is unpredictable and depends on their level of intimacy with their men.
The following are some of the tips that can help you to set the tone to get her into the right mood:
1. Get her out of her head: The most prominent factors that hinder women from enjoying sex to the fullest is stress and insecurities. The more capable you are to make her feel attractive and comfortable in her own skin, the more she will feel confident around you to open up both emotionally and sexually. Once her insecurities subside, you can get her in mood with ease.
2. Give her genuine compliments: Women are good at differentiating genuine compliments from tasteless ones. Make sure that you compliment her genuinely on her inner beauty rather than her outer appearance. Most of the time women are skeptical of the things that men tell them. It is a defense mechanism of women to protect themselves against manipulative and emotionally unavailable men. The more you express your true feelings for her the more she will feel connected to you and will respond positively to your sexual approach.
3. Prolong the foreplay: The longer you invest your time in foreplay, the easier it will be for you to get her in mood. Pay proper attention to her face, neck, shoulder and lips. Some erotic massage techniques may prove handy in the foreplay. Make sure you make ample of eye contact during the entire process.
4. Be gentle in your caresses: Most women do not prefer rough actions prior to engaging in sexual activities. Women crave soft and sensual touches on their body. Caress your way to her erotic zones with slow and prolonged touches that make her crave for you more. Gentle touches will arouse her and get her in the mood.
5. Pay attention to her like and dislikes: ask her about her sexual likes and dislikes, such intimate confessions are known to arouse her sexually. Use her likes to your advantage. You will be surprised how quickly she will get aroused with your considerate approach. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Sexologist.
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