At the time, she was under stress caring for her terminally ill parents, she had also been through a miscarriage and was not surprised to be feeling under the weather, “I just didn’t put two and two together,” she said.

Janet had a blister on her foot that was not healing properly, so eventually she saw her doctor and was sent for blood tests to find out why.

The test results showed that Janet had Type 2 diabetes.

“The diagnosis was completely out of the blue, I have no family history of diabetes and I was only forty-two,” said Janet.

Diabetes affects 1.7 million Australians, including an estimated 500,000 cases of undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.¹

Complications of untreated diabetes include eye problems, foot ulcers, bladder problems and kidney failure.

Early symptoms such as Janet’s can be non-specific and the only way to diagnose diabetes is via pathology testing.

Janet is now being regularly monitored through blood and urine tests. These check blood sugar levels, kidney function and can also pick up how the disease may be progressing.

“I am ever so grateful I had that blood test,” said Janet.

Although she has lived with the condition for ten years, Janet does not currently require insulin injections and is able to manage her diabetes through modifications to diet and lifestyle, “I eat healthily and go for more walks now.”

Janet says she is thankful for pathology testing, for diagnosing her condition at an early stage and allowing her to stay informed about her health.

“I have regular pathology tests to monitor my diabetes and check for complications. Sometimes your levels go up and down so you need pathology to keep an eye on that and make adjustments if needed. Just knowing I have these tools available to help offset complications gives me security.”

Watch our video of Diabetes Australia CEO, Greg Johnson, visiting a pathology lab to find out more about the testing used to monitor the health of people with diabetes.

1https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/diabetes-in-australia

The post How a blister led to a surprising diagnosis for Janet first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

Coeliac disease is the name of the genetic condition which causes a person’s immune system to react abnormally to gluten, causing small bowel damage. If left undiagnosed, it can have serious and far-reaching consequences.

Coeliac Australia estimate that 1 in 70 Australians have the disease – significant, but a far cry from the huge numbers of people going gluten free.

Dr David Clift, a pathologist from Geelong specialising in gastrointestinal conditions, warns that people who decide they need to go gluten-free but do not seek medical advice or proper testing could be risking their health, in some cases with cancer;

“Poorly managed Coeliac Disease can lead to a variety of issues including osteoporosis or certain cancers. 1 in 20 people with Coeliac Disease who routinely consume gluten (sometimes unknowingly) will develop a form of lymphoma with a poor prognosis. It amazes me that so many are willing to ‘wing it’ with such a serious condition.”

The symptoms of coeliac disease can be similar to other gut conditions so it’s important to know that you’re getting the correct treatment. And gluten can be present in unexpected foods like processed meats, marinades and spices, so medical support is vital to help people with the disease adhere to the strict diet.

A study published by Monash University Professor Peter Gibson in 2011 proposed the existence of ‘gluten sensitivity’ – a ‘coeliac lite’ version causing symptoms in people without Coeliac Disease. This was seized upon by the burgeoning wellness market but in 2015 Gibson followed up his findings with two much larger studies that disproved gluten sensitivity existed. Dr Clift adds;

“There is more speculation than evidence about diet on the internet. Some people attribute an improvement in digestive symptoms to a gluten-free diet. But by cutting out gluten, you are reducing processed foods and additives that may be the real cause of gut pain.

Coeliac disease is not a sliding scale – you either have it or you don’t and it is a shame this myth persists. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.”

But is there a problem with going gluten free if you don’t have coeliac disease?

Well your bank account might think so. On average a gluten-free diet for a family of four will be 17% more expensive than a routine diet.¹

Not to mention, unnecessarily restricting your diet may have negative effects on your health.

Removing grains from the diet can reduce intake of vital nutrients. In children this may interfere with growth. And if you don’t have symptoms, there is no evidence that a gluten-free diet will provide you with any health benefits. Coeliac Australia estimate that 80% of Australians with coeliac disease are currently living undiagnosed. Their advice? If you have symptoms, get tested.

1. Lambert et al “Cost and affordability of a nutritionally balanced gluten-free diet: Is following a gluten-free diet affordable?” Nutrition and Dietetics Feb 2016

The post If you’re eating gluten-free and have not had this test, we need to talk. first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

When Karyn gave birth to Ashlee,  she conducted pathology testing for her baby and discovered Ashlee had Cystic Fibrosis where testing has played a pivotal role in Ashlee’s healthcare ever since.

Karyn is now able to view the world of pathology from the other side too. Since taking up an admin job at a pathology provider she sees every day how pathology helps thousands of other families just like her own.

“I can’t remember a time in Ashlee’s life when she wasn’t undergoing regular pathology tests to monitor her condition. She was diagnosed at five weeks old. It took six long weeks in hospital and three operations until we were finally able to take our beautiful daughter home.

Over the years we learned about the condition and how best to manage it. But then when Ashlee was 21 she underwent a double lung transplant. Less than a year later we were back in the hospital for a second transplant after the new lungs had started failing.

The operations were done in Melbourne which meant that on top of the indescribable fear of watching our daughter go through such a huge procedure we had the added stress (not to mention financial burden) of having to relocate to Melbourne for four months each time.”

Eight years on and Karyn is still relying on pathology to monitor her daughter’s health. Ashlee is now 30 and requires monthly tests to monitor the potential side effects of the medication she has to take to avoid her body rejecting the lungs and to monitor her Cystic Fibrosis.

“Without pathology my daughter would not be alive. Instead she has grown into an amazing and inspirational young woman. Although she still has her ups and downs we’re not taking anything for granted.”

Dr Melody Caramins is a pathologist specialising in genetics;

“Cystic Fibrosis is the most common genetically acquired, chronic condition in Australia. Although there is currently no cure, life-expectancy and life quality for people with Cystic Fibrosis have both increased significantly in the past twenty years.

From the heel prick test that diagnoses the condition just minutes after a baby is born, to the regular testing to monitor a person’s condition, pathology tests are invaluable in caring for people with Cystic Fibrosis.”

If you have a story of how pathology has helped you or someone you love we want to hear from you, email info@knowpathology.com.au

The post “Thanks to pathology my little girl is now an amazing young woman” first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

Cancer

Many of our supporters’ lives have been affected by cancer, which means they truly know the value of pathology. This may be through a friend or family member experiencing cancer, or from their own experience. All cancers are diagnosed by pathology and it is also vital in guiding treatment, monitoring patients and assessing risk of cancers that run in families.

Early detection of cancer gives a greater chance of treatment being effective. One supporter told us:

“I have had a number of ‘path’ tests over the years, perhaps the most significant being those which led to a diagnosis of cancer, followed by successful treatment. Subsequent tests have shown I’m free of the cancer. My heartfelt thanks to pathology.”

Managing a chronic health condition

A large number of our supporters have signed up because they need pathology testing to manage a chronic health condition such as diabetes, heart disease or autoimmune conditions such as coeliac disease. Pathology monitors a patient’s health and their response to medication including side effects or adverse reactions.

One of our supporters put it this way: “I have several health conditions which require regular monitoring via blood tests. Accurate, reliable results are critical to maintaining good management.”

Becoming a parent

There are plenty of mums, dads and grandparents amongst our supporters. Many have said they value pathology for the health of their children through prenatal testing, newborn screening and health checks during childhood. Pathology was personally important for this mum:

“I almost died having my daughter, I had my blood taken over 50 times in 3 months, the pathology collectors were always extremely nice and they would explain every time what the test was for. I am now a single mum with a daughter starting school and I’m studying to be a pathology collector myself.”

Preventative health

Many of those who have signed up as supporters see pathology as a tool to manage their ongoing health.

“Pathology tests are going to help our family track hereditary health issues.”

“We need pathology to find out medical information. Without it, doctors don’t have all the answers!”

“Peace of mind knowing that my family and I are healthy.”

Hidden healthcare heroes

Many supporters work in the pathology profession and want to help the community understand more about tests and their vital role in healthcare. These supporters are the hidden healthcare heroes who take blood, examine samples, interpret test results and consult with doctors; delivering answers as well as the important “all clear”.

Pathology never sleeps, so thank you to all collectors, medical scientists, pathologists and support staff – particularly those working over the Christmas period.

One pathology professional who signed up this year said: “We save lives. We’re on the front line of the Emergency Department and intensive care units.”

Here’s to saving more lives in 2016 and delivering more sighs of relief.

The post 5 reasons people valued pathology in 2015 first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.