Medical dictionary

What is homeopathy?Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine that uses very small concentrations of organic substances to cure disease. It is a pseudoscience (a belief or practice that is presented as scientific), based on concepts about how diseases work.It was created in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann, based on the doctrine of “like cures like", in which a substance that causes the symptoms of

What is being analysed? Homocysteine is a crucial amino acid in the body that plays a role in various biochemical processes. When analysing homocysteine, doctors are measuring the concentration of this amino acid in the blood.   What does the result mean? The results of a homocysteine analysis indicate the amount of homocysteine present in the blood. Elevated levels may sugges

What is menopausal hormone therapy? Menopausal hormone therapy, and more specifically hormone replacement therapy, involves taking medication to replace oestrogen lost during the menopause. Menopausal hormone therapy is one of many types of hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement can also be offered to: men experiencing a loss in testosterone as part of the “ma

What is hormone replacement therapy? Hormone replacement therapy, otherwise known as HRT, is a method of treatment in which the patient or individual receives hormones, either as a substitute for naturally existing hormones, or to supplement a lack thereof. HRT is commonly used during the menopause, as androgen replacement therapy, and in transsexual individuals. Why is hormone replaceme

What is hormone therapy? Hormone therapy (also known as hormonal therapy) refers to any sort of treatment involving the use of hormones, or, conversely, the use of hormone antagonists to limit the effectiveness of hormones already in the body (this is also known as antihormone therapy). You should see an endocrinologist for treatment. Why would you have hormone therapy? There are a

What is being analysed here? The human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone composed of an alpha subunit and a beta subunit, produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Additionally, certain abnormal tissues and specific tumours can also secrete hCG, making it a relevant tumour marker. What does the result mean? The hCG analysis result is expressed in international units per liter

What is being analysed? Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a protein biomarker that is often measured in blood samples. It is primarily used as a tumour marker, particularly in the assessment of ovarian cancer.   What does the result mean? Elevated levels of HE4 may indicate the presence of ovarian cancer or other gynaecological malignancies. However, it's essential to no

What is the human papillomavirus (HPV)?   Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the term for a common group of viruses that can infect the skin and mucous membranes. There are more than 100 different types, most of them harmless, but some types are associated with an increased risk of cancer or cervical dysplasia (abnormal changes in the cells of the surface of the cervix). These are acqui

What is analysed? Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing involves the analysis of genetic material or specific proteins to identify the presence of HPV in the body. The test can detect various strains of the virus that may be associated with cervical and other cancers.   What does the result mean? A positive result indicates the presence of HPV, while a negative result suggests the