Ayurved,Yoga ,Panchakarma: YOGA CAN BE MADE COMFORTABLE WITH PROPS - P...

Ayurved,Yoga ,Panchakarma: YOGA CAN BE MADE COMFORTABLE WITH PROPS - P...: YOGA  CAN  BE  MADE  COMFORTABLE   WITH  PROPS- Authors – Prof. Dr. R. R. Deshpande ( M.D) ,        Dr. Shirish Deshpande ( BAMS, DYA....

YOGA CAN BE MADE COMFORTABLE WITH PROPS - Prof.Dr.R.R..Deshpande

YOGA  CAN  BE  MADE  COMFORTABLE   WITH  PROPS-

Authors – Prof. Dr. R. R. Deshpande ( M.D) ,

       Dr. Shirish Deshpande ( BAMS, DYA.)

The  world  of  Yoga  has  undergone  drastic  transformation, from  the  time  it  has  been   introduced  to  the  common  man.  New  Yoga-people  have  brought  innovative  approaches  to  Yoga  and  developed  need  based  new  products.  For  improving  flexibility  systematically,  new  approaches  are  coming  forward.

Many  names  are  given  to  this  method  of  ‘Yoga  with  support’.  Some  named  it  as  “Restorative Yoga”,  some  call  it  as  “Therapeutic  Yoga”  &  some  call  it  “Modified  Yoga”.  But  every  Yoga  teacher’s  aim  is  ‘to  simplify  Yoga  with  supports (props). Here  we  are  getting  same  expected  results  with  more  ease. Also  we  can  stuck  up  to  original  principles  of  Yoga.   

Props [ Property  as  a  support] -

First  of  all, it's  not  a  bad  idea  to  familiarize  oneself  with  these  props.

1)          Yoga  mats

2)          Yoga blankets

3)          Yoga straps/ belts

4)          Yoga blocks

5)          Yoga bolsters/ pillows

6)          Yoga ropes

7)          Yoga back-bending benches

To  elaborate  the  specific  uses  of  these  props , some  Yoga-examples  are  given  below .

 1) Mats -

It  is  a  soft  rubber  or  cotton  carpet  spread  on  the  ground.  Although  it  may  be  a  normal  spread-sheet-mattress,  it  gives  an  ignition  for  doing  a  Yoga  practice.  For  any  type  of  sitting, it  helps  to  soften  the  pricking-sitting-bones. For  laying  poses  it  helps  to  relax  the  back  or  abdomen. As  it  is  spongy  &  soft, it  also  works  as  shock  absorber  for  standing  and  inverted  poses. The  cost  of  mat  ranges  from  Indian  rupees  500  to  1200.

2) Yoga  Blankets -

Thick , foldable , soft  and  comfortable  big  sheet-like  cotton  blankets  are  used  for  supporting  sitting  bones (ischial  tuberosity) in  sitting  poses. Also  it  can  be  rolled  to  have  a  shape  of  cervical  pillow(neck  support)  in  laying  down  pose. This  blanket  roll  especially  helps  to  keep  the  natural  curve  of  cervical  area  of  spine.

The  Yoga-saadhakaas(Yoga  students)  who  are  sensitive  to  cold  atmosphere,  they  can  use  the  blanket  to  cover  themselves  in  Final Relaxing Pose Shavasana. The  prize  of  such  blanket  is  Indian  rupees  700  to  900.

3) Yoga straps (belts) -

It  is  a  long  cotton  strap  having  a  metal  buckle  to  lock.

The  muscles  related  to  Shoulder   girdle  are  generally  contracted  because  they  are  misused  or  not  used.  Shoulder  girdle  means  the  area  of  upper  chest + area  of  upper  back + area  of  arms   which  are  connected  together  near  shoulder  joint.  Commonly  culprit  muscles  are  Trapezius(covering  almost  all  upper  back),  Pectoralis ( Upper  chest  to  shoulder  joint  like  both  side  pocket  area  of  shirt) , Levator  Scapulae ( Shoulder   blades  elevators) .  These  muscles  are  in  chronic  contraction  due  to  adapted  bad  poses  like  PC pose (computer), driving  bad  pose  and  one  sided  shoulder  bags  etc.  Yoga  exercises  and  movements  are  there  to  relax  &  stretch  these  muscles. But  naturally  there  is  a  limitation  to  stretch  these  muscles  in  Yoga  movements. For  example,  for  a  person  having  stiff  shoulders,  there  is  a  limitation  to  do  retro-version ( moving  shoulders   backwards  and  depressing  shoulder  blades  down).  This  retroversion  can  relive  the  above  said  muscles  (see  fig No.1 & 2).  A  perfect  belt  is  chosen  and  tied  in  a  way  to  help  the  inner  muscle  move  in  a  physiological  way.  This  belt  helps  to  relax  the  unwanted  contraction  of  muscles  like  Levator  Scapulae.  Repeated  movements  of  muscles  by  such  belt  opens  up  the  ‘Space’  in  muscular  territory  &  in  turn  re-arranges  the  muscles. The  pain, discomfort  and  stiffness  is  relived  by  the  Re-arrangement  of  Space  element.  The  cost  of  Yoga  belts  is  from  Indian  rupees  100  to  700.

4) Yoga  blocks -(Bricks)

Sitting  in  cross  legs  or  folded  legs  position (Sukhasana)  is  considered  as  a  important  criteria  for  pose  of  prayer , meditation  and  breathing  exercises. Rectangular  bricks  of  wooden  material  or  stiff-fibre  material,  are  Yoga  blocks.  First  and  foremost  use  of  these  blocks  is  to  sit  on  it.  Sitting  bones (ischial  tuberosity)  are  supported  by  these  bricks  and  the  knee  part  of  crossed  legs  are  kept  on  ground.  From  the  very  first  session  of  any  Yoga  method,  the  instructor  always  tells  to  sit  straight.  It  is  seen  that, after  some  minutes, due  to  discomfort  or  lack  of  practice,  gradually  the  shoulders  and  back  sinks  down.   This  sitting  brick  automatically  helps  a  lot  for  keeping  the  Spine  in  erect  position  for  longer  time (see  figure  no. 4 & 5).

In  various  standing / bending  postures,  such  bricks  are  used  to  balance  the  pose. Prize  of  Yoga  block  is  from  Indian  rupees  400  to  800.

5) Yoga bolsters / pillows -

A  sinking  down  and  dropped-shoulder  pose  reduces  the  Space  in  chest  cavity. Because  of  reduced  Space,  shallow  breathing  happens.  If  at  all  told  to  do  deep  breathing,  such  person  can  not  use  the  full  space  of  chest  due  to  adapted  &  contracted  chest  territory.  

To  increase  lung  capacity,  it  is  necessary  to  expand  the  chest.  To  expand  chest,  the  bolster (rounded  pillow)  plays  very  important  role.  For  example,  a  rounded  pillow  is  kept  below  upper  back  and  shoulders  are  turned  backwards. This  pose  is  a  modified  classical  pose  called  as  Supta-Veeraasan – sleeping  warrior( see  fig. No.6). Pillow  helps  to  reduce  outer  pressure  on  chest. The  prize  of  such  pillows  is  Indian  rupees  400  to  800.

6) Yoga  ropes -

Any  person  who  can  not  touch  the  fingers  to  toes, that  person  need  some  strap  or  a  rope  to  fill  the  distance. In  such  case, a  rope  plays  very  good  role. A  rope  which  is  connected  to  form  a  loop , can  be  used  by  hooking  it  in  arch  of  the  foot. This  laying  down  pose  is  classically  known  as  Supta-Padaangushtha-asana i.e. toe-to-head pose (see  Fig. No. 6). Because  of  stiff  Hamstrings(back  of  thigh)  and  Lumbar i.e. lower  back  muscles (e.g. Quadratus lumborum),  the  person  can  not  go  beyond  a  limit  of  stretching. To  overcome  the  general  limitation  of   Hamstrings  and  Lumbar  musculature, a  Rope  is  a  blessing. The  hamstrings  and  lower  back  muscles  are  attached  to  pelvic  bone . Once  the  Space  in  thigh  and  back  is  re-arranged  by  stretching  these  muscles;  pain, stiffness  &  discomfort  considerably  reduces.  The  cost  of  Yoga  ropes  varies  from  Indian  rupees  350  to  650.

7) Yoga  back-bending  benches -

Viparita  Danda asana ( used  in  Heart  problems  &  in  Asthmatic  patients)  is  popular  back  bend  in  Yoga. It  is  a  uniform  curve  of  whole  body.  While  performing,  there  may  be  unwanted  pressures  and  strains  on  spine.  To  avoid  unwanted  adverse  effects  and  to  get  the  maximum    benefits,  a  wooden  curved  support  is  used (Fig. No. 7). Main  purpose  of  this  back  bending  is  expansion  Of  Chest. Chest  expansion  gives  better  breathing, correct  alignment  of  spine  curvatures, abdominal  and  side  chest  stretching. Proper  muscles  stretching  leads  to  pooling  of  blood  to  the  territory. In  short  it  increases  Space  in  trunk (torso),  where  almost  all  vital  organs  are  situated. If  there  is  enough  Space  for  functioning,  then  the  organs  can  give  their  maximum  results.  This  is  easily  achieved  by  using  such  wooden  bench  support. Such  wooden  benches  can  also  be  used  to  get  experience  of  inversions  like  Sarvang-asana  i.e. Shoulder  stand (see  fig. No. 8). Such  wooden  back-bender  bench  costs  up to  Indian  rupees  12500.

Logic  of  Yoga  with  props -

Right  and  left  sides  of  the  body  are  always  unequal  in  almost  every  individual. To  achieve  physical  equilibrium  the  bricks, belts  and  ropes  are  key  tools  in  practice.  Physical  discomfort  distracts  mind. Props  are  used  to  minimise  discomfort.  By  increasing  comfort  level,  the  equilibrium  is  achieved  easily. Physical  effortless  equilibrium  avoids  disturbance  in  concentration  of  mind.

In  the  long  run,  after  practicing  Yoga  with  props, the  body  gets  enough  training; by  which  after  couple  of  years  these  postures  can  be  performed  without  even  using  props.

In  the  society,  some  people  feel  that  Yoga  with  prop  is  not  good.  But  to  use  a  prop, ‘acceptance  level’  of  a  person  must  be  very  high. Once  person  accepts  that,  there  is  a  limitation  to  flexibility  of  his/her  body  and  use  of  prop  is  must,  then  the  ‘Ego’  melts. This  ‘surrendering’  is  vital  aim  amongst  many  objectives  of  Yoga.

In  the  scripts, it  is  explained  as , first  take  efforts  to  practice  and   then  achieve  stage  of  effortless  practice. To  minimise  the  efforts ,  these  props  play  a  key  role.

Fortunately,  now  we  all  have  a  chance  to  increase  flexibility  and enjoy  the  benefits  of  supported  Yoga-Sadhanaa. 

So  my  dear  friends, why  to  waste  time !  Start  learning  this  Yoga  with  props  which  is  scientifically  proven  &  based  on  total  logic. And  make  your  Yoga  session  as  well  as  life  comfortable.

For  consultation , learning  about  Yoga  with  props  or  purchasing  props,  please  you  may  contact  –

1)  Prof Dr.R.R.Deshpande- Director - IAPY

- Institute of Ayurveda Panchakarma & Yoga, Pune, India

Phone - +91-9226810630

       Email- mailme.drrrdeshpande@rediffmail.com

       Website- http://www.ayurvedicfriend.com

2)  Dr. Shirish  Deshpande (Ayurved  &  Yoga  consultant)

   Mobile  number : +91-9970071195

   Email :  dshirish.in@gmail.com

Treatment Centre Address- “Purva” Yoga-Ayurveda-Panchakarma  Clinic & training centre, Swapnamandir society, Erandwana, Pune-411004, Maharashtra, India.

Ayurvedic Research Views -- By Prof.Dr.R.R.Deshpande on 31-10-13

About Ayurvedic Research –

By Prof.Dr.R.R.Deshpande

Uploaded on 31-10-13

Teachers Should not be forced to undertake Research Activity of his own

Recently ,I have attended one day workshop on Scientific writing for Research on 22 Oct 13 .Also I am hearing that MUHS is making compulsion on teachers to undertake Research Activities & publish their Research Papers in peer review Journals .Otherwise Teachers will not be eligible for BOS ,Academic boards,Examinership etc etc .During discussion with Teachers & Masters in Research Activities ,I am getting different impressions from different people .

Research masters that means Teachers ,who are fond of Research ,strong liking for Research ,they try to learn about Research Actvities,Scientific writing,publish their papers .These people then become masters of Research ,as compare to Normal Teachers ,who are mainly interested in Self Learning,Teaching,guiding students for better success,doing University work like taking Exams,paper checking,syllabus forming,writing books for students & lay people ,Clinical Teachers are all time engaged in examing & treating patients successfully,keeping record of patients in the hospitals neately,All teachers are also organizing various seminars ,Guest Lectures,Maintaining Dead stock of depts.,Maintenance & new purchase of Instruments,models,charts,Facing different visits of CCIM,AYUSH,MUHS etc,nearly intermittently but for the whole year. Also now in these recent years many teachers are guiding Post Graduate students in their research work,taking PG lectures & discussing various topics of the syllabus .Teachers are doing all these things as per their duties & Interest .In addition those who are interested & time ,they are undertaking small Research projects .This is all ok .

But the problem starts ,when Each Teacher is asked to undertake Research or publish ,without his own interest & mainly without considering Time restraint ,that the Teacher has .

Another problem ,which is more serious that Research Masters ( Research minded Teachers) feel that they are only survivors of Ayurveda .They feel & talk that without Research ,Ayurveda can not progress nevertheless Boat of Ayurveda will sink ,if Ayurvedic college Teachers ,will not do Research or Publish their Research papers.How egoistic this opinion is ?? These thoughts totally wrong .One of the expert says that see ,whether without Petrol can car move ? So research is like petrol .This statement is totally wrong .To drive a car there are so many things are required like Engine in good condition,Accelerator,Breaks,Handle & mainly good driver .In short what I want to say is that ,it is OK ,that Research is one of the important factor in Ayurveda progress & sustenance ,but Research is NOT ONLY THE THING.

We must try to look this matter of Ayurveda progress in a holistic manner.

1) We must try to get Rajashraya or Govertment support to Ayurveda.Ayurveda should get a place in National Health Policies 2) From School level Ayurveda should be introduced to children .Like we have chapters on Invention of Pencillin ,TB bacteria ,Vitamin deficiency diseases,Proteins,Carbohydrates etc .But school going children & even adults do not know about Charak,Sushruta,Ayurvedic Rules of eating,concept of Vata,Pitta & Kapha.

3) Haphazard Research topics of MD students.There is no Data Base of Ayurvedic past researches for Review ( I would like to mention that myself ,Prof.Dr.R.R.Deshpande first time introduced his brain child to MUHS of Ayurvedic Research Data Base (ARDB) .With 1  lakh funding Ayurveda college ,Nigdi ,completed it’s first phase .Data base is or was available on web site – www.ayurvedresearch.in .) But unfortunately then this work got stuck up due to technical reason.If there previous Data Base is not available ,there will be duplication of work & wastage of Time,Money & Energy.

4) In spite of haphazard research ,retrospective Research will be more useful .Successful stories should be collected from renowned practioners & their success stories can be converted into Scientific mode by undertaking Research on their experiences.

5) For Progress of Ayurveda – Teachers,Practioners,Consulting Physicians,Researchers,Stake holders,Technical experts all are needed & everybody is important .So there must be Team work for the progress of science.

6) We must also understand ,even without any Research & scientific paper writing in the fashion that we are enforcing today ,Ayurveda is existing from time Immortal   ( Please do not give me example of Scientific conferences held at the base of Himalaya etc – that everybody knows about research attitude at Samhita period – that can be compared with Teachers discussions amongst themselves or Teacher’s discussion with students ) .Ayurveda is existing & will exist because of it’s – Fundamental principles,Successful treatments,Ayurvea literature Scientific as well as Popular Literature,Ayurveda propogation in Europe,Post graduation Research studies.

7) Post Graduate students have full time Job to think & do Research Activities .Ayurvedic Teachers,yes ,can do something in Research with these Post Graduate students just by guiding them,but not as a separate responsibility

8) We must understand that Research is a full time Activity .Research Activities comes through Curiosity,Clinical Experinences,Doubts & some time as a accidental finding also.

9) Also note that Researcher,Teacher,Practioner,writer everybody has different set of mind ,different life goals,different Life frame work .This is similar to Ayurvedic Prakruti or Biotype concept .Ayurvedic people also can be classified as Teacher Prakruti,Researcher Prakruti,Physician Prakruti,Writer prakruti etc.Physical & Mental Health can be maintained ,if everybody keeps his or her life style as per our prakruti,mentioned as above.

10) How Team work will be more beneficial ,with concern to Research ? – For example in Pune ,when Dr.Jagdish Hiremath ,well-known cardiologist,is doing research Activity ,he has a Team of people of Clinical Research .He just continue his expertise in examining & treating Heart patients & provides his data of observations to his Team to analyse & conclude & guide them for publishing it .Similarly Ayurvedic Physicians will do their job of examination & treating patients .Then group of Research worker ,Technical person make hand in hand with these physicians ,collect data,analyse it,draw conclusions & publish it ,mentioning name of Physician

.11) Tragedy in the sector of Ayurvedic Research – There are National Institutes like CCRAS OR ICMR .They have Team of people ,employed for only doing research as a full time job with good salary .But do we really think that Common Medical Practioner or Ayurveda Teachers or Ayurveda Students from nook & corner of India are getting benefitted by Researches done in these Institutes ?? Whether we get Medicines coming out of Research at the Medical shop near to my clinic ? Whether all publications of CCRAS or ICMR are available at my near Medical Book store ?? Why this can not happen ?? So is this not a big gap in Research Activity & it’s benefit to Ayurved community ??

12) Similarly another Big Gap – There are lot of Successful Ayurveda Vaidyas at nook & corner of India .But as these vaidyas are very busy in their practice & also not interested in ABC of Research – Successful treatments can not get published in Scientific Journals & get recognition Internationally & also can not be benefitted to other practioners,Teachers or students .

Supporting to my article ,I have shared also one PPT show of the same kind .Please enter this link & you will see it

http://www.slideshare.net/rajendra9a/basic-original-thoughts-about-research-by-profdrrrdeshpande

To sum up ,Ayurvedic Research is one of the Good Activity for Scientific progress.But Research is NOT ONLY THE THING ,for Ayurved’s Progress.Ayurvedic College Teachers should not be forced to do Research Activities ( Another than as a Guide to PG student)

Please write me your feed back by commenting on this article,take print out of it ,give publicity to it at your place ,continue discussing contents of this article,mail me on mailme.drrrdeshpande@rediffmail.com or phone me – 922 68 10 630

Kindly note my personal web site – www.ayurvedicfriend.com is under renovation .Open again in couple of months

Thanks.Have a nice Life !! Prof.Dr.R.R.Deshpande

Real meaning of Diwali or Deepavali by Prof.Dr.R.R.Deshpande on 30-10-13

Real Meaning of Diwali or Deepavali

Prof.Dr.R.R.Deshpande ( 922 68 10 630) ,

uploaded on 30-10-13

Deepavali is the Festival of Light,Festival of Brightness,Festival of Enthusiasm,Festival of Energy.This Festival is a Gathering of Joyful events of 3 or 4 days.

Narakchaturdashi,Laxmipujan,Padva ( Bala pratipada),Bhaubeeja – Each day explicit some cultural thought,cultural Philosophy

1)  Narakchaturdashi – It is also called as Kali Chaturdashi.Kali means power or strength ,utilized for demolishing Demon activities.King Narkasur became devil due to his extra strong physical power.He was nuisance to common man .He was doing sexual harassment of women.On this particular day of Diwali, this beast or animal  like Narkasur was killed by God Krishna.To celebrate this victory of Divine over Devil ,people lightened their houses,cities & roads.So begins Festival of Light.

2)  Laxmi Pujan --- Laxmi means Goddess of Wealth.Pujan means worship.This is the day to worship wealth .Indian culture explained 4 goals of Life as Dharma ( Righteous duties) ,Artha ( Acquiring wealth) ,Kama ( Enjoyment of Life) & Moksha ( Eternal Happiness) .Indian culture has never disregard the Importance of Wealth  or Laxmi.Laxmi is given respect as mother. Wealth is like Energy or Power. It should have base of Dharma or Righteous duties.By utilizing it positively ( for self, Family, Society, Charity) ,person can enjoy godly activities. Acquiring & using wealth in negative way ( Black money) ,can make person like a demon .Then he will not get Moksha ,that is Eternal & Long lasting Happiness & Satisfaction.Businessmen, merchants worship their Accounts diary .Actually everybody of us also can review our Life Book on this day .We have to debit anger,jealousy,hatred,greed,bitter moments & must credit positive qualities like Love,Faith,Enthusiasm

3)  Padva ( Bala Pratipada) – New year is called as Balapratipada.King Bali was famous for his generosity & Donations.We must remember these qualities of Bali on this day.God Vishnu believes  that Wealth ( Kanak in Sanskrit) & Woman (Kanta in Sanskrit) ,if not understood properly ,can make person blind in the attraction of Wealth & woman. Person can not then discriminate Good & Bad. So God Vishnu teaches us to look towards Wealth & Woman in a respectful manner ( Laxmi Pujan & Bhau beeja,these 2 days are representing this Theme)

4)  Bhau beej – Bhau means brother. Person should look towards any woman ( Except his wife) as a mother or sister & try to protect her

Deepavali is Festival of Lights .Everybody lights oil lamps ,Lanterns. This is O.K, Good, Fine. But more important is to light the inside lamp. Greed & Ignorance are dark side of our life .Knowledge is a lamp ,which removes our Ego, Greed ,Jealousy & make our life more beautiful & meaningful.

On Narakchaturdashi ,kill our demon like habits of Laziness,Unclinliness,Lust,Selfish,Ego etc.On Laxi pujan we must understand importance of wealth ,acquired in a righteous way ,in our Life.On Balapratipada we have to make Balance sheet of our life Book.On Bahu beej ,we must learn to respect women.

New year is for New ,holy determinations ,forgetting past darkness .If these cultural Teaching could ignite our inner conscious ,then every day in our life will be Deepavali .Am I right ?

 Please write me back on – mailme.drrrdeshpande@rediffmail.com or call me on 922 68 10 630

Kindly note that my personal web site – www.ayurvedicfriend.com is under renewation.Will open within a month or so .Thanks

Happy Diwali to you all !! God bless you !!

Significance of Laboratory Test in Medical Practice on 28-10-13

Subject -- Significance of  Important Pathology Investigations in Medical Practice 

Expert -- Dr.Ratnakar Pathologist  ,
Editor -- Prof .Dr.R.R.Deshpande

This post is very useful for 3rd BAMS Students & Medical General Practitioners

Dear Friends ,please write me back on -- mailme.drrrdeshpande@rediffmail.com or call me on 9226810630 

SR NO	NAME OF THE TEST	INDICATION OF THE TEST	CLINICAL PRESENTATION
HAEMATOLOGY
1	PTTK / APTT	To detect Coagulation abnormalities.	Liver disease / DIC / HAEMOPHILIA / HEPARIN Rx.
2	Sickling Test	To detect Sickle Cell Anemia	Anemia - weakness / pallor/ koilonychias etc
3	Reticulocyte Count	To assess Bone Marrow activity and monitor response.	In response to anaemia therapy
4	Coomb’s Test ( Direct)	To detect auto antibodies against RBCs , that may result from various diseases.	AIHA - Autoimmune Haemolytic anaemia , Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disorders - CLL Drug Induced Haemolysis HDN - Haemolytic Disease of New Born.
5	Coomb’s Test ( Indirect)	To detect antibodies in unbound state in serum.
6	G6 PD Estimation	To detect G6PD deficiency.	Haemolytic Anemia and the presentation.
7	D-Dimer	Elevated in Thromboembolism and active venous thrombosis.	DVT / DIC / PE
8	HB Electrophoresis	Haemoglobinopathies.	Sickle cell Anemia / Thallassemia Anemia - weakness / pallor/ koilonychias etc
9	Sr.Ferritin	To study Iron Metabolism disorders.
10	Sr.Iron & TIBC
BIOCHEMISTRY
1	Urine Micro Albumin	done in cases of DM to rule out Diabetic Nephropathy.	Known case of Diabetes.
2	APO A / APO B	To evaluate risk of Atherosclerosis	RECOMMENDED FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL ABOVE 30 YEARS OF AGE - Blame it on lifestyle.
3	LP ( A)	To evaluate risk of Atherosclerosis
4	Homocysteine	Risk factor for CHD , Vitamin B deficiency , disorders of metheonine metabolism	ELEVATED LEVELS ARE SEEN IN - VIT B12 def. , CRF / CHD / Hypothyroidism Low levels are seen in Down's / Pregnancy.
5	Blood Urea Nitrogen / Creatinine	done in cases of Kidney diseases , GI bleed , cancer patients	Signs and symptoms of Renal insufficiency / differentiation of prerenal / renal / post renal azotemia.
6	Acid Phosphatase with Prostatic Fraction	Prostatic Diseases , Storage disorders - Gaucher's / Niemann Pick's , Vaginal swabs of rape victims.	Known cases of Ca Prostate
7	GGTP	ELEVATED in liver disease	Screening test for Alcoholism , Various Liver patholgies , Pancreatitis , DM , RA , COPD , Tumours
8	CPK (Total)	Necrosis , Muscular disorders	Muscular dystrophies
9	CK--MB	Marker for MI , recent MI , rhabdomyolysis , muscular dystrophy	Cardiac markers - Chest pain , Myocarditis
10	Phosphorus	Renal diseases	Acute / Chronic renal failure
11	Ammonia	Renal diseases	Acute / Chronic renal failure
12	Magnesium	Renal diseases	Acute / Chronic renal failure
1	IgE	ALLERGY	Important marker of allergy
SEROLOGY
Sr,No.	Test	Indication
1	CRP	Marker of inflammation	Ischemia , Tissue injury or necrosis , Malignancy or post surgery
2	Hs - CRP	More sensitive marker for Inflammation
3	LE cell Phenomenon	To detect SLE.	Crude test - Obsolete nowadays
4	ANA	Connective Tissue Disorders , SLE , RA …	Rheumatic Diseases
5	Anti DS DNA	Specific test for SLE.	Advanced stages of SLE clinically
6	P – ANCA/C- ANCA	Vasculitis , WG , CSS , Connective Tissue Disorders	Vasculitis , Ulcerative Colitis , Crohn's Disease
7	HLA B - 27	Ankylosing spondylitis , Reiter's syndrome	HLA - CROSS MATCH - DONE IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES
8	Protein Electrophoresis
9	Anti CCP Antibody	Rheumatoid Arthritis	Differentiation of RA with other arthritis
10	ANA Blot	Connective Tissue Disorders , SLE , RA …	symptoms related to systems involved .
11	HIV PCR (Qualitative)
12	HBV PCR (Quantitative)
13	HBV PCR (Qualitative)
14	Alfa Feto Protein	Marker of various cancers - Hepatic / Germ cell	Used in cases of known cancers - to detect recurrence
15	B - hCG	Pregnancy / Ectopic / Gestational Tropho Disease	Imp is Threatened abortions
16	PSA	Prostate cancer screening and Follow ups	monitoring of patients
17	Torch IgG & IgM	TOXOPLASMA , RUBELLA , CYTOMEGALOVIRUS , HEPATITIS IgM - RECENT INF / IgG - CHRONIC	TESTS TO BE ORDERED IN CASES OF BAD OBSTETRIC HISTORY
18	Torch IgM only
19	CMV – IgG & IgM
20	Anti Cardiolipin IgG,IgM.IgA	ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME CLINICAL AND LAB CRITERIA ARE THERE FOR FINAL DIAGNOSIS	SEEN IN CASES OF SLE , CANCERS , ACUTE INFECTIONS DRUG EFFECTS
21	Anti Phospholipids Antibody
22	Lupus Anti coagulant
Sr,No.	Test	Indication
1	Free T3	THYROID DISORDERS	Hyper and Hypo thyroidism
2	Free T4
3	TSH (Ultrasensitive)
4	FSH	Hyper / Hypo gonadism , Precautious puberty	Cases of Infertility  , Amenorrhoea , Bad obstetric History , Ectopic Hormone production , CRF , Liver failure , Drug effects ,
5	LH
6	Prolactin	prolactine secreting tumours
7	B - HCG	Pregnancy / Ectopic / Gestational Tropho Disease	Imp is Threatened abortions
8	Progesterone	Detection of Ovulation , Pregnancy , tumours	Imp is Threatened abortions , Toxaemias , Gonadal agenesis
9	Testosterone	To evaluate Hormonal / Functional status	Virilising tumours / Hirutism / Hypo / Klinefelter's/ Estrogens therapy
10	Estradiol(E2)	Hyper / Hypo - Gynecomastia , Estrogens producing tumours	Feminization in children , Hepatic Cirrhosis
11	Growth Hormone	Hyper / Hypo pituitarism	Acromegaly / Chronic diseases
12	Cortisol AM/PM	Adrenal insufficiency	HYPER AND HYPO disorders
13	Dhea – SO4	Adrenal insufficiency , Cushing's syndrome	increased in Cushing's / Cancers / PCOD , decreased in Addison's
14	Estriol ( E3)	PREGNANCY ESTROGENS
15	C Peptide	Levels directly proportional to Insulin levels as both are coreleased in blood	Increased in Insulinoma / Type 2 DM. Decreased in Type 1 and Exogenous Insulin Admin.
16	Insulin F/PP	done along with Glucose levels in cases of fasting Hypoglycaemia , Insulinomas	Have lot of limitations and is of limited use.
17	Pappa –(1st Trimester)	Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein A	Low levels are associated with Aneuploidy
18	Triple Test (2nd Trimester)	DONE IN 2ND TRIMESTER PREG - ASSAY INCLUDE AFP, bHCG,Unconj. Estriol	assay gives three values that are determined to assess the risk of Down's Synd , Edward's Synd , Neural Tube defect
Sr,No.	Test	Indication
1	TB – IgG/IgM / IgA	Detection of Unknown Tuberculosis	Various presentations of Tuberculosis - Not diagnostic or suspicious but not confirmed by routine modalities.
2	TB PCR ( Qualitative)	Detection of Unknown Tuberculosis
Sr,No.	Test	Indication
1	VMA	Metabolite of catecholamines done in cases of Pheochromocytoma , Neuroblastoma , Paraganglioma	The test is replaced by fractionated plasma free metanephrines
2	Proteins	Done in cases of Major illnesses - Liver / Kidney / Debilitating disorders	Important marker of Nutritional state of the person.
3	Calcium	Monitoring of various disorders - Bone , Kidney , Parathyroid , GIT	Commonest deficiency in today's era , silent most of the time
4	Creatinine	Renal function assessment
5	Creatinine Clearance	Evaluation of Glomerular Function	Renal disorders , Anemia , Leukemias , Monitoring of renal diseases
6	Sodium	Together considered as electrolytes Potassium derrangement happens in some cardiac cases too and plenty of other disorders	water electrolyte imbalance , Dehydreations , elevated in Hyperaldosteronism
7	Potassium
8	Uric Acid	Renal function assessment , Gout ,	Monitoring of Gout and Chemoterapeutic agents