Thymol Test

Thymol Test: Study of liver function and diagnosis of pathologies

The thymol test, also known as the thymol-veronal test or thymoloveronal test, is a diagnostic test that is used to evaluate liver function and identify possible pathologies in this organ. This test is based on the liver's ability to synthesize and secrete the enzyme thymol ester sulfatase.

The thymol test procedure involves injecting a small amount of thymol solution into the patient's blood. Thymol is a substance that interacts with the enzyme thymol ether sulfatase present in the liver. If the liver is functioning normally, then this enzyme will be actively released and break down thymol, which leads to a change in color or mutation of the solution.

The results of the thymol test are assessed in units of thymol activity (TA). Typically a scale of 0 to 100 is used, with a lower value indicating normal liver function and a higher value indicating abnormal liver function. Elevated levels of thymol activity may indicate various liver pathologies such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, cancer metastases, or other liver-related diseases.

The thymol test is one of many tests that are used to assess liver function. It is usually performed in combination with other clinical and laboratory tests, such as blood chemistry tests, ultrasound, and liver biopsy. When combined with the results of other tests, the thymol test can help doctors make a diagnosis and determine the extent of liver damage.

It is important to note that the thymol test has some limitations. It is not disease-specific and may give false-positive results if other conditions are present, such as pregnancy, heart failure, or some types of cancer. In addition, the thymol test is not able to detect the initial stages of liver diseases, so additional examination may be required for a more accurate diagnosis.

In conclusion, the thymol test is a useful tool for assessing liver function and identifying pathological conditions. However, it must be considered in the context of other clinical and laboratory data to obtain a complete picture of the patient's health. If you have liver problems or suspected liver problems, it is important to see a doctor who can conduct an appropriate examination and suggest the most appropriate diagnostic tests to determine your liver health.

Thymol test (thymol-veronal test) is a method for determining the concentration of total bilirubin in blood serum using thymol and veronal (or a mixture of acids). The method is used in clinical and laboratory diagnostics to distinguish between latent and visceral pigmented hepatitis, hepatocholecystitis, acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hemolytic anemia and other diseases accompanied by increased bilirubin levels. Excessive amounts of bilirubin are formed, for example, due to hemolysis, as well as other hereditary and other reasons. The resulting excess bilirubin is poorly excreted from the body, and therefore accumulates over time and is deposited in the tissues of not only the liver, but also in the blood vessels, meninges, etc. This is how jaundice, itching and other symptoms of the disease appear. Bilirubin is a toxic metabolic product (the same as, for example, a product of fructose in the urine, which destroys red blood cells). Serum bilirubin levels increase with inflammatory changes in the liver (cirrhosis, tumors, degenerative, metastatic, etc.), as well as with mechanical obstruction of the lower bile ducts (scars and stones). Elevated bilirubin levels may result from hemolytic anemia, where red blood cells are destroyed. Sometimes, the cause of jaundice that has not gone away is hereditary diseases or snake bites. It is also possible for anemia to occur when using medications that provoke increased hemolysis.

Test procedure: When 2 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution is added to a test tube simultaneously with a thiomol solution, the indicator gives a yellow color (i.e., a yellow color is formed), which depends on the degree of color intensity inside the test tube. Reliable results appear