What is Medical Technology ?Medical Technology, which is a proper subset of health

technology, encompasses a wide range of healthcare products

and is used to diagnose, monitor or treat diseases or medical

conditions affecting humans.

What is Medical Technologists ?• Medical Technologists, also known as clinical

laboratory technologists, perform and analyze the

results of complex scientific tests on blood and body

fluids.

What is carbohydrate metabolism used for in the human body?

The roles of carbohydrate in the body includes providing energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing protein from being used as energy. Carbohydrate is the preferred source of energy or fuel for muscle contraction and biologic work.

CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN RELATION TO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE TESTS PERFORMED BY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS INVOLVING CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM:

GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASESGALACTOSEMIAHYPOGLYCEMIADIABETIC HYPEROSMOLAR SYNDROMEDIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS

GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASES

Glycogen storage diseases occur when there is a defect in the enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of glycogen, resulting in growth abnormalities, weakness, and confusion.Diagnosis and TreatmentThe specific type of glycogen storage disease is diagnosed by examining a piece of muscle or liver tissue under a microscope (biopsy).Treatment depends on the type of glycogen storage disease. For most types, eating many small carbohydrate-rich meals every day helps prevent blood sugar levels from dropping. For people who have glycogen storage diseases that cause low blood sugar levels, levels are maintained by giving uncooked cornstarch every 4 to 6 hours around the clock. For others, it is sometimes necessary to give carbohydrate solutions through a stomach tube all night to prevent low blood sugar levels from occurring at night.

GALACTOSEMIA

• Galactosemia (a high blood level of galactose) is caused by lack of one of the enzymes necessary for metabolizing galactose, a sugar present in lactose (milk sugar). A metabolite that is toxic to the liver and kidneys builds up. The metabolite also damages the lens of the eye, causing cataract• Galactosemia is detectable with a blood test. This test is done as a

routine screening test for newborns in all states in the United States. Before conception, adults with a sibling or child known to have the disorder can be tested to find out whether they carry the gene that causes the disease. If two carriers conceive a child, that child has a 1 in 4 chance of being born with the disease.

HYPOGLYCEMIAHypoglycemia is the clinical syndrome that results from low blood sugar. The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person, as can the severity. Classically, hypoglycemia is diagnosed by a low blood sugar with symptoms that resolve when the sugar level returns to the normal range. The medical term for blood sugar is blood glucose.How Is Low Blood Sugar Diagnosed?Blood glucose meters are used to test blood sugar levels and will tell you if your level is below 70 mg/dL.If you do not have a blood sugar testing machine on hand and are experiencing signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, those symptoms may be enough to diagnose low blood sugar. But do not rely solely on this self-diagnosis unless you must.Symptoms of low blood sugar usually get worse if they are left untreated. Make an appointment to see a healthcare professional—this is the only way to figure out what is causing your symptoms.

DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS• Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when a person with diabetes becomes

dehydrated. As the body produces a stress response, hormones (unopposed by insulin due to the insulin deficiency) begin to break down muscle, fat, and liver cells into glucose (sugar) and fatty acids for use as fuel. These hormones include glucagon, growth hormone, and adrenaline. These fatty acids are converted to ketones by a process called oxidation. The body consumes its own muscle, fat, and liver cells for fuel.

In diabetic ketoacidosis, the body shifts from its normal fed metabolism (using carbohydrates for fuel) to a fasting state (using fat for fuel). The resulting increase in blood sugar occurs, because insulin is unavailable to transport sugar into cells for future use. As blood sugar levels rise, the kidneys cannot retain the extra sugar, which is dumped into the urine, thereby increasing urination and causing dehydration. Commonly, about 10% of total body fluids are lost as the patient slips into diabetic ketoacidosis. Significant loss of potassium and other salts in the excessive urination is also common.

• Blood tests will be ordered to document the levels of sugar, potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes. Ketone level and kidney function tests along with a blood gas sample (to assess the blood acid level, or pH) are also commonly performed.

DIABETIC HYPEROSMOLAR SYNDROME• Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) is a potentially life-

threatening condition involving extremely high blood sugar (glucose) levels. According to Medscape, any illness that causes dehydration or reduced insulin activity can lead to HHS; however, it is most commonly a result of uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes. Diabetic HHS is usually triggered by infection or illness, or by failure to monitor and control blood glucose.• When blood sugar gets too high, the kidneys try to compensate by

removing some of the excess glucose through urination. If you do not drink enough fluids to replace the fluid you are losing, or if you drink sugary beverages, blood sugar levels spike and blood becomes more concentrated. This condition is called hyperosmolarity. Once blood becomes concentrated, it begins to draw water out of other organs, including the brain.

Diagnosedblood tests to check for levels of blood sugar, ketone, creatinine, potassium, and phosphatesodium glycated hemoglobin test (average blood sugar level for previous two to three months)If the cause of HHS is not associated with diabetes, a urinalysis may be performed to diagnose diabetes.Treatment involves reversing or preventing dehydration and getting blood glucose levels under control.

Prepared by:

Mercado, Princess Cate R.

Alejandrino, Ma. Lourdes F.

Aspillaga, Liezel