Serum called plasma, devoid of fibrinogen - protein structures. This does not mean that the serum is an empty liquid. It contains many elements, which should be read in more detail.
The importance of blood serum for the body
Serum is the main component of plasma, it is thanks to it that the blood flow is carried out. In this liquid medium nutrients are dissolved. Serum is an indispensable participant in the transportation of hormones, minerals and vitamins, as well as cleansing the body of toxins.
In medicine, purified blood serum is in demand for the production of a number of drugs. Serum administration is often used in surgery for rehabilitation after surgery, as well as in gynecology. Analysis of blood serum allows you to identify the causes of discomforts and take measures for their prompt elimination.
Components contained in serum
The blood of any person contains cholesterol. Recently, it is his accusation to increase the pathologies associated with the cardiovascular system. In fact, cholesterol is necessary for the production of sex hormones, brain work and cell regeneration.
In laboratory conditions, the concentration of serum cholesterol in the blood is determined using special tests. As a rule, the norm is:
- the content of low-density lipoproteins up to 2.59 mmol / l .;
- high-density lipoprotein content from 1.55 mmol / l;
- the content of total cholesterol to 5.18 mmol / l.
The serum-containing creatinine is an important element necessary for energy processes. The output of creatinine is carried out with the help of the genitourinary system, so the definition of the indicator is often used in the diagnosis of kidney pathologies.
The serum creatinine index is calculated in μmol / liter and depends on the age category:
- newborns - 27-88;
- up to a year - 18-35;
- up to 12 years - 27-62;
- adolescents - 44-88;
- women - 44-97;
- men - 62-132.
In the blood serum potassium is necessary. The level of the mineral in the plasma depends on the amount of the incoming element from the outside, the content in the cellular structure and extracellular fluid, and the rate of excretion from the body. The indicator of potassium is calculated in mmol / liter and depends on the age category:
- Infants - 3,7-5,9;
- children up to a year - 4,1-5,3;
- up to 14 years - 3.4-4.7;
- from 14 to 3.5-5.1.
In biochemical analysis, the level of enzymes in serum is determined. In this case, we are talking about true plasma enzymes, a low concentration of which usually speaks about accumulation of inhibitors or a decrease in the synthetic activity of cells. In addition, nonspecific enzymes that do not need to be present in the plasma are detected:
- Pathologies of skeletal muscles are accompanied by a change in the concentration of alcohol dehydrogenase, as well as CK, muscle isoenzyme.
- Diseases of the pancreas are reflected at the level of α-amylase and lipase.
- Diseases of bone tissue are accompanied by a change in the indices of aldolase, as well as alkaline phosphatase.
- With pathologies of the prostate gland, the level of acid phosphatase is determined.
- In cases of liver disease there is a violation of the concentration of alanine aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase.
- Problems of bile ducts cause a change in the level of glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase.
Serum helps transport hormones. Therefore, in the blood can be found:
- prolactin;
- growth hormone ;
- corticotropin;
- thyroid-stimulating hormone;
- adrenalin;
- dopamine;
- insulin;
- cortisol;
- progesterone;
- testosterone .
And this is not all hormones, the level of which can be determined by the study of blood serum.