Blood tests

Blood tests are an indispensable part of urological diagnostics and therapy monitoring. They provide essential information about the condition and function of the urinary and reproductive organs as well as the general health status of the patient. By analyzing specific blood parameters, urological diseases can be detected early, their progression monitored, and therapy success assessed.

Important Blood Parameters in Urology

  • Kidney Function Parameters:

    • Creatinine: A breakdown product of muscle metabolism, whose concentration in the blood provides information about the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and thus about kidney function. Elevated levels may indicate kidney insufficiency.
    • Urea: End product of protein metabolism, excreted by the kidneys. Elevated levels may indicate impaired kidney function or increased protein breakdown.
  • Electrolytes:

    • Sodium and Potassium: Essential electrolytes for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance as well as neuromuscular function. Deviations may indicate kidney dysfunction or other metabolic imbalances.
    • Calcium and Phosphate: Important for bone health and neuromuscular functions. Imbalances may indicate bone diseases or mineral metabolism disorders.
  • Inflammation Markers:

    • C-reactive Protein (CRP): An acute phase protein whose concentration increases during inflammatory processes. Elevated levels may indicate infections or inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract or genital organs.
    • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): A nonspecific marker for inflammation, measuring the rate at which erythrocytes settle in a tube.
  • Tumor Markers:

    • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): A protein produced by the prostate. Elevated PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer, but also benign prostate conditions.
    • Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-HCG): Markers that may be elevated in certain testicular tumors.
  • Hormone Parameters:

    • Testosterone: The primary male sex hormone, essential for sexual function, fertility, and general well-being. Deviations may indicate hypogonadism or other endocrine disorders.
    • Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Regulate the function of the gonads and are important in the investigation of fertility disorders.
  • Liver Parameters:

    • Transaminases (GOT, GPT): Enzymes that appear in increased amounts in the blood in cases of liver damage.
    • Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (γ-GT): An enzyme whose elevation may indicate liver or gallbladder diseases.
  • Coagulation Parameters:

    • Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR): Evaluate blood coagulation and are important before surgical procedures or in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy.

Importance of Blood Tests in Urological Practice

Blood tests enable urologists to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions, including:

 

- Kidney diseases: Early detection of kidney failure or glomerulonephritis by checking creatinine and electrolytes.

- Prostate diseases: Early detection of prostate cancer through PSA measurement; differentiation between benign and malignant processes.

- Testicular diseases: Diagnosis of testicular tumors by determining AFP and β-HCG.

- Hormonal disorders: Clarification of loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, or infertility by measuring testosterone, LH, and FSH.

- Infections and inflammations: Detection of urinary tract or genital infections through elevated inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR.

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