In addition to HbA1c, glucose and Fructosamine, most providers will offer Glycated Albumin, Creatinine, Cystatin C, Microalbumin, NEFA, Beta-2-Microglobulin and Ranbut for a comprehensive overview of your patient samples

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that those with diabetes should have their HbA1c levels tested at least twice a year and more if levels rise above 7%.

High levels of HbA1c can indicate poor treatment compliance and an increased risk of complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease and eye disease, so levels must be closely monitored in diabetic patients to provide the best possible treatment.

Red blood cells persist in the bloodstream for 2-3 months, so the level of HbA1c provides a guide to the long-term blood glucose levels of the patient being tested.

Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, whose main function is to carry oxygen through the bloodstream. When glucose levels rise in the bloodstream, some of this permanently binds to haemoglobin, forming glycated haemoglobin, known as A1c (HbA1c).

Increasing levels of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are believed to have contributed to the dramatically increasing incidence of Diabetes worldwide, which is set to double by 2030?

Implementation of this technology can save your laboratory valuable time and money and ultimately provide the clinician with more information on patient status.

There are two cerebral array panels currently available. The first measures four analytes and includes heart type fatty acid binding protein which recently has been shown to be a very early marker for stroke detection with levels associated with the severity of the event. The second cerebral array measures seven parameters simultaneously. The analysis of several cerebrovascular disease markers gives a more comprehensive patient profile and could enhance the accuracy of the diagnostic result

The array has been validated for use with serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Only 25ul of sample is required for quantitative determination of seven analytes concurrently.

The new cerebral biochip array panel allows measurement of analytes associated with nervous system dysfunction, for example stroke, cerebrovascular disease, transient ischemic attack, and head injury. Rapid assessment is critical for accurate diagnosis and to implement appropriate treatment plans.

The Evidnece system can analyse up to seven parameters simultaneously in a single patient sample.

Swine flu happened relatively quickly when we are talking about the development lifespan of a diseases and this may explain the virulence of the strain. But from the experience I have had with working with the disease I have found the markers IL-1, IL-6, TNF and IL-10 to be a good starting point in identifying the existence of the disease.

Swine flu is difficult to profile isn't it? Although this method is well supported and used by a host of major hospitals around the world I don't think it is the complete solution just yet.

Complete controls and calibrators are available from a number of suppliers. Most standard cytokine kits should have these markers on them.

The reason why novel forms of flu are so deadly is because they provoke a hyper-immune response, where the body secretes a "cytokine storm" in the absence of a more specific infection reaction. Ironically, the better the body's defence system, the more aggressive it is in attacking itself, hence the young, healthy adults bearing the brunt of the fatalities.

Both SARS and bird flu (H5N1) have shown evidence of cytokine storms and have proved fatal, but the human-human infection has been contained. In contrast, the H1N1 swine flu outbreak has been spread from human to human.

The cytokine storm typically secretes a cocktail of defence molecules, particularly IL-1, IL-6, TNF and IL-10.

So I would advise you to look for a cytokine kit with these markers.

Not my area of expertise so I can't really help. Sorry!

The Swine flu outbreak caused quite deep concern throughout the world earlier this year. I am running a small private lab and I was wondering if anyone has come across good kit for its detection as I have a number of clients wishing to run this test?

I use the semi-automated Evidence Investigator but I would say that you would need to be a small to medium size lab to warrant this level of purchase. The Evidence MultiStat analyser which generates results in 20 minutes is a good alternative if your running a small lab?

I agree with you about the retests. Good quality, reliable results are key in any kind of diagnosis or detection and in most cases, lives literally depend on it. Expensive re-runs are a big problem in a lot of labs

Sorry I would like to say that last post was just full of typo's but unfortunately i'm just stupid lol! Mean't to say I'm not sure how I can get in contact with you directly. I don't want to post my details.

In response to your earlier post don. I'm also completing a study on HbA1c and I would like to collaborate with you if thats possible. I'm not sure how to forward me details to you as i'm fond of the idea of posting them?

God I don't know you really would need a sales rep for that type of information. All I know is that it works for me and my team. The guys love it as it reduces their work load and the number of retest they have to complete. So their is a pro. Con? it ain't free. Does that help lol!

Anyway Evidence. I just read this article which states that "Biochip Array Technology relies on the basic principles of immunology, using competitive and sandwich immunoassays. Horseradish peroxidase-labelled detection creates a chemiluminescent signal at each DTR, all of which are simultaneously measured by the CCD camera and interpreted by the analyser software."

I've heard it's a very good product. But haven't seen it in action yet. Give me some pro's and cons.

Not me!

Aren't all scientists?

Crazy maybe at least!

Nah I believe you. Infact you have inspired me to have a look at least . I have had a number of people telling how good there controls are and you have just helped me make a clear decision.

You really should work for them. Anyway later mike (hope you don't mind me using your name). Off to work for me, urgent test to be run and a grumpy doctor on my back. Joys of life eh?

Wow! Someone on this board either is crazy or works for a PR firm! Ha ha!!

Time to upgrade man!

Biochips are 9x9mm solid substrates with multiple Discrete Test Regions (DTRs) arranged in an array on the surface. At present biochips hold 25 DTRs but, if required, the test capacity can be increased dramatically.

So I can basically run 25 tests at the same time. Typical I test for drugs of abuse. So I can test one sample for multiple drugs. Bing, bang, bosh, done.

They really should hire me at the amount of praise i'm heaping on them here. Honestly really worth a trial at least and i'm sure they will run you a demo and maybe some free trails if you don't believe me.

I have a limited understanding of them. I have attended a few seminars but I have yet to actually see one never mind use one.

I'm running the Evidence system. Its a fully automated multiplex immunoassay. It performs simultaneous quantitative detection of a wide test menu across the full portfolio of biochip assays.

Are you familiar with biochip assays?

I guess I'll give you that then. You certainly have sold me. I have a sale rep visiting next week. Anything you would advise I should try. My lab is pretty small and I ain't great with sales rep's (they are just a different kind to me). So yea what you be a good trail product / product line. All my equipment is pretty old and I'm looking to upgrade. What are you running and who makes it?

Hard not to be. I can count on every batch of there products being accurate and correct. Spent years dealing with problems within the lab cause by differing batch quality a deviations between batches from a number of suppliers. I have never had these problems since I started using the dox as I like to call them. It has made my life easier and my work much more enjoyable. I save money, I don't need to repeat test, I suffer less stress.

Kinda hard for me not to be a fan!

Sounds like your a big fan?

Yes it is! With almost 30 years of experience. I use them regularly and them to be the most accurate vendor out there. I measure other products against there product regularly and I am always alarmed at how inaccurate poorly design some of there competitors products are. Companies like Bayer, Siemens, Roche have the name but let me tell you from my experience they don't have the quality

a privately owned diagnostic reagent and equipment manufacturing company.

I have used them a number of times and I have always found them to be helpful and professional. Some people are never happy in my opinion but I think you would have a job on your hands to find a unhappy customer.

Oh and before I forget!

Goooooooo Canada!

Boom!

Increasing levels of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are believed to have contributed to the dramatically increasing incidence of Diabetes worldwide, which is set to double by 2030.

HbA1c test provide a method of routinely monitoring diabetic or at-risk people, to prevent long-term complications from this disease known as the silent killer.

I'm researching HbA1c test as part of my university course and I was wondering if anyone else is working on a similar project.

Thanks in advance.

Don

New release:

"Total bile acid is a simple, sensitive and specific blood test for liver function in species including cats, dogs, horses, cows, birds and sheep. It is particularly useful in birds, where other liver tests correlate poorly with liver disease. Fasting and post prandial measurements are used in cats and dogs, whereas a single fasting test is sufficient for all other species."

I also like!!!!!

Customers can now buy any of the life science products online which I thought was pretty nifty! The last site was a little hard to use but this new website has recently been made even easier with the addition of several new payment methods.

There life Sciences is a recognised primary manufacturer of high quality, cost-effective human recombinant proteins, polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies and conjugates for a wide variety of research and development applications.

They have launched a new Life Sciences website that looks really good. The new look site is easy to navigate with an improved search function allowing visitors to search all Randox Life Science products by group, popularity or keyword.

I like!

Have no experience being a customer or supplier at Randox but id say the service level is pretty good considering how hard staff work.

This is not the sort of place that you will thrive in if your full of great ideas or have progressive attitude. Unless your willing to keep your mouth closed and pretty much agree with the regime you will be out the door before your first polo tournament. I worked there from 2006 - 2008 and staff were treated pretty poorly. Staff turnover is also pretty unreal - probably in the region of 40 percent per year... kind of crazy but true.

Have to say this company is the most flexible manufacturer I have used. Only company out there willing to listen you as a customer directly. I had a specific need and they provided me with a specific product to match these needs. Other companies just brushed me aside or never called me back. Thanks for all the help.

Regards

One very happy customer!

Reliable HbA1c testing now available

Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that impacts upon almost every aspect of life. It is caused by a deficiency, inherited and/or acquired, in production of insulin by the pancreas (type 1), or by resistance to the insulin produced (type 2). As a major non-communicable disease, diabetes mellitus claims on average around 8% of total health budgets in developed countries. Diabetes can result in premature death, ill health and disability, yet these can often be prevented or delayed by high quality management and care. Advances in diagnostic testing have enabled high throughput of patient samples for a full biochemistry profile within minutes. Many healthcare professionals see early diagnosis and preventative medicine as the only viable strategy to manage the ever-increasing issues of diabetes. In a diabetic patient a controlled diet and regular exercise can keep blood sugar levels controlled, and the progression of the disease in check.

NEW Liquid quality control sera available now!

The Randox Acusera range of quality control sera is set to expand with the introduction of our new liquid ready to use QC. Liquid controls eliminate the need for reconstitution minimising the risk of human error saving labs both time and money in the process.

"Randox Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) kits offer accurate determination of drugs in a patient's blood, ensuring they receive the most effective dosage of medication with the least possible toxicity. Tests include digoxin, gentamicin, lithium, phenytoin, theophylline, valproic acid, phenobarbital and carbamazepine.

These accurate assays are available on a wide range of clinical analysers, are easy to use and guarantee reproducibility of results."

Tried tested, great work RANDOX!

Ahhh! wrecked. Out last night with a few Almac reps and let me tell you those guys can drink. Love it! Still slighty friendly this morning but I can definitely tell you they have sold to me. Great night! Gooooo Canada

I went to a interview with the Almac Group. Now that was a interesting day. You know one of those stinkers were you just hit a blank and can't for the life of you find the answer to any question even though you know you know. I'm not sure what they thought of me but I sure do hope we never meet again or I will be more than em brassed.