Fluid for pH:
Why Fluid for pH Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
pH is defined as the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration. pH indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. Hence pH is a figure expressing the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a logarithmic scale on which 7 is neutral. Values lower than 7 are acidic and the values higher than 7 are basic or alkaline in nature. The significance of body fluid pH is intended to assess the pH in the body fluids. Since pH indicates if the body/Biofluid is acidic, alkaline or neutral, it helps to distinguish between an infection and inflammation. The sample specimen is usually Intra-Vascular Fluid i.e Blood (serum/plasma) and/or body fluids. Body/Bio-Fluid Tests: Body Fluids include Peritoneal/Ascitic fluid (Ascites) – in peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of inner abdominal wall etc), Pericardial fluid, infected pleural fluid causing pleural effusion, Bronchial Wash, Drain or aspiration Fluids - Paracentesis, Thoracocentesis, aspiration of bone marrow, aspiration of amniotic fluid, JP Drain and /or blood, urine, saliva, sweat, bile fluid, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, synovial fluid, nasal fluid, CSF, lymph, endolymph etc can provide a vital clue in the biochemical investigation of pathologies in certain disorders or disease conditions in certain differential diagnosis to arrive to a conclusive definitive diagnosis and also for prognosis.Significance of pH test on body fluids Test: The clinical importance of pH of pleural, pericardial, gastric and ocular fluids are seen in certain pathological conditions. The normal pH of gastric content is less than 3.5 and any value above pH 3.5 is considered abnormal. PH of pericardial fluid has been used to differentiate between inflammatory (pH 7.06 +/- 0.07) and non-inflammatory (pH 7.42 +/- 0.006) cause of pericardial effusion. the pH of pleural fluid may also be ordered when evaluating the nature of pleural effusion. Transudative pleural effusion is due to pressure-induced fluid leakage has a distinctive pH of range of 4.5 to 5.5, while an exudative pleural effusion due to inflammation-mediated fluid leakage is a pH of a distinguished range of 7.30 to 7.45. Hence these altered pH in body fluids certainly helps in screening for the diagnosis of certain pathological states of the body.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Body Fluid Sample specimen (as directed by the physician or the pathologist after clinical assessment.Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RTDIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
