Why is antigen more reliable than microscopy?
Giardia is not excreted in the feces constantly, but in cycles, so they are easy to miss with conventional microscopy: a negative result must be rechecked three times at intervals. Antigen determination by ICA detects pathogen particles regardless of whether cysts are currently being secreted, and provides significantly higher sensitivity in a single test. Giardiasis is manifested by bloating, unstable stools, abdominal pain, nausea, decreased appetite and weight, and in children - growth retardation and allergic rashes. Many carriers have no complaints at all.
Why preparation is so important
The laboratory result is a number, but the correct number can only be obtained if the rules are followed. Eating changes the levels of glucose, lipids and a number of enzymes significantly; physical activity the day before increases CK and AST; smoking affects hormones; time of day is critical for cortisol and testosterone.
Therefore, a “bad analysis” often turns out to be a consequence of impaired preparation, and not an illness, and leads to unnecessary examinations and prescriptions.
General rules for donating blood
- on an empty stomach 8–12 hours, you can drink water
- Eliminate alcohol and intense exercise per day
- no smoking in an hour
- donate blood before physiotherapy, x-rays and massage
- Take medications in advance by agreeing with your doctor
- for hormones in women, take into account the day of the cycle
How to read the result
Reference values depend on the method and equipment of the laboratory, so it is correct to compare results only within the same laboratory. A deviation of a few percent from the normal limit in itself rarely matters - the overall picture and dynamics are important. It is up to the physician to interpret the analysis: an isolated indicator without a clinical context is often misleading.