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C S Feldkamp

Publications and source records attributed to C S Feldkamp.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Contemporary approach to thyroid disease emphasizing use of high-sensitivity thyrotropin assays.

Capabilities of new high-sensitivity immunoradiometric assays for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH-IRMA) to distinguish among hypothyroid, euthyroid, and hyperthyroid subjects and patient groups with low TSH for nonthyroidal causes suggested an algorithmic approach (directed TSH) to the evaluation of patients with suspected thyroid disease. Utilizing the algorithm, a TSH-IRMA result outside normal limits (0.5 to 5.0 mU/L) generates follow-up tests on the same sample. The interpretation of thyroid function tests (TSH-IRMA, thyroxine, resin uptake, free thyroxine index) and associated studies in the context of different clinical settings is reviewed. The approach is a cost-effective and efficient utilization of laboratory services.

Algorithms

A thyroid testing algorithm: results of a pilot study.

We conducted a pilot study to evaluate an algorithm for thyroid function testing consisting of initial serum thyrotropin values, measured by a sensitive immunoradiometric assay (TSH-IRMA), followed by a computer-directed decision to order further studies. We divided 216 outpatients according to their serum TSH-IRMA values as follows: suppressed (less than 0.1 mU/L, group I); low (0.1 to 0.4 mU/L, group II); normal (0.5 to 5.0 mU/L, group III); and high (greater than 5.0 mU/L, group IV). Thyroxine (T4), resin uptake (RU), and free thyroxine index (FTI) tests on groups I, II, and IV revealed that T4 and RU were normal for most patients in all groups and FTI was normal in 80% of group I, 93.4% of group II, and 93.3% of group IV. All patients in group I were designated hyperthyroid from either an exogenous or endogenous source. All patients in group II were clinically euthyroid except one; 50% were taking either L-thyroxine or propylthiouracil and 50% had no identifiable thyroid disease. Patients in group IV were hypothyroid. Overall, TSH was more effective in detecting both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism than either serum T4, RU ratio, or both combined in FTI since results of these measures fell in the normal range for most patients in all groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Algorithms

Microalbuminuria in clinical practice.

Albumin excretion rate measured by new immunoassays and semiquantitative tests is advocated as a means for early detection of diabetic nephropathy. We determined albumin excretion rate in 276 patients. Albumin excretion rate was normal in 66%, within the microalbuminuric range in 27%, and within the macroproteinuric range in 7%. Significant predictors of albumin excretion rate included presence of hypertension and glycosylated hemoglobin level in type I diabetes mellitus, and years since diagnosis in type II diabetes mellitus. A semiquantitative test was deemed to be of limited diagnostic value. We conclude that testing for early diabetic nephropathy in routine clinical practice gives valuable information and that determination by a quantitative immunoassay based on a single 24-hour urine sample is preferable. The optimal frequency of screening and the levels that determine progressive renal disease have yet to be established.

Adult

Effect on renal function of change from high to moderate protein intake in type I diabetic patients.

The effects on renal function of moderate restriction in protein intake were studied in 14- to 20-yr-old type I diabetic patients who had no clinical renal disease or hypertension; matched normal subjects served as controls. After assessment of protein intake and renal function, studies were conducted at the completion of each of two consecutive dietary periods of 1 wk. Diets containing 3.5 and 1.5 g X kg-1 X day-1 protein were provided during the first and second periods, respectively. Baseline protein intakes were substantial in both controls (1.86 g X kg-1 X day-1) and diabetics (2.17 g X kg-1 X day-1). Baseline creatinine clearance was increased in diabetics (P = .043). At the end of the high-protein intake period, both diabetics and controls showed similar high values of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF). GFR and RPF decreased markedly (P less than .001) and to a similar degree in both groups after normal protein intake. GFR and RPF in diabetics were not higher than in controls at this point, but filtration fraction was increased in diabetics. Albumin excretion rates were similar in both groups and not influenced by renal function changes. GFR and RPF values correlated significantly with the quantity of protein intake, as estimated from the urea nitrogen appearance rate in both groups. The results suggest that the functional response to variations in protein intake is not altered in the diabetic kidney. In addition, increased renal function in diabetics may be related partly to the excessive protein content in commonly prescribed diabetic diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Anti-IgG combined with rate nephelometry for measuring polyethylene glycol-precipitated circulating immune complexes.

Immune complexes from serum were assayed for IgG by a simple rate-nephelometric method after extraction with polyethylene glycol that removes monomeric IgG. A 30-min preincubation of the extracted material in reaction buffer before the anti-IgG is introduced eliminates falsely increased values owing to precipitation that increased baseline light scatter in the reaction buffer. We found good parallelism in the reaction of anti-IgG with the IgG calibrator, aggregated human globulin, or endogenous immune complex. Thus IgG can be used for calibration in place of aggregated human globulin, greatly simplifying the assay. A good correlation was found between the present assay and the C1q-binding test (r = 0.83). The present assay is both sensitive and reproducible. The extraction and assay are straightforward and can be completed in a single morning after an overnight precipitation. The reagents for extraction are easily prepared and inexpensive, and the materials for assay are available in kit form. We believe this approach to be well suited for many clinical laboratories to measure circulating immune complexes.

Antigen-Antibody Complex

Anti-IgG binding test to assay circulating IgG-containing immune complexes from polyethylene glycol precipitates.

We describe a simple approach for assaying immune complexes from serum by using anti-IgG as the indicator after a three-step extraction procedure with polyethylene glycol. Analysis of the data indicates that assays of such extracts for immune complexes by absorbance nephelometry, kinetic light scatter, and immunoradiometric techniques correlate well. For 116 samples, results by absorbance nephelometry correlated (r = 0.86) with those by the C1q-binding test. The present assay and the Raji cell test were more sensitive than the C1q-binding test (p less than 0.001) for detecting increased concentrations of immune complexes in 29 samples from patients with immune-complex-type diseases. The basic approach we describe may lend itself to broad applications for use with various immunoassay techniques.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic

Profiles in altered metabolism I--the organic acids accumulating in acute non-diabetic ketoacidosis associated with alcoholism.

Several organic acids, among them the acidic catabolites of the branched chain amino acids and tyrosine, have been found to be elevated in the sera of non-diabetic patients presenting acute ketoacidosis associated with alcohol abuse. These findings are interpreted in terms of insufficiency of dietary co-factors required for their further catabolism. Butane-2,3-diol is also found frequently elevated in the urine of these patients and suggests interception of hydroxyethyl thiamine pyrophosphate by circulating high levels of acetaldehyde.

Acidosis