Level
Level (Medicine)
Level (pronounced: /ˈlɛvəl/) in the context of medicine, refers to the concentration or amount of a substance in a given sample, such as blood or urine. It is a term commonly used in medical testing and diagnostics.
Etymology
The term 'level' originates from the Latin word 'libella', which means balance or scales. In the medical context, it is used to denote balance or equilibrium of substances in the body.
Related Terms
- Blood Level: The concentration of a particular substance in the blood. It is often used to monitor the effectiveness of medication or to diagnose certain conditions.
- Therapeutic Level: The concentration of a drug in the bloodstream that produces the desired effect without causing toxicity.
- Toxic Level: The concentration of a substance that causes adverse effects or toxicity.
- Baseline Level: The normal amount of a substance in a healthy individual, used as a reference point in medical testing.
- Serum Level: The amount of a substance in the serum portion of the blood.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, the term 'level' is used in various contexts. For instance, doctors may refer to a patient's glucose level, cholesterol level, or hormone level. These levels are often measured through blood tests and can provide important information about a patient's health.
For example, high glucose levels may indicate diabetes, while low hormone levels could suggest an endocrine disorder. Similarly, elevated cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Levels are also crucial in pharmacology, where the aim is to maintain therapeutic levels of drugs in the body. This is important to ensure the drug is effective without causing harmful side effects.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Level
- Wikipedia's article - Level
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