Thymol Test. Prices, Reviews, Ratings
This laboratory method has been used in clinical practice since 1944. It is now successfully applied as a marker of pathological deviations in the body, for monitoring therapeutic measures, and in observational studies.
This laboratory method has been used in clinical practice since 1944. It is now successfully applied as a marker of pathological deviations in the body, for monitoring therapeutic measures, and in observational studies.
What Is the Thymol Test?
Thymol, a phenol derivative of plant origin found in thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oils, causes turbidity when its colloidal particles interact with coarse serum proteins. This specific reaction underpins the thymol test (TT), conducted in veronal-medinal or tris-maleate buffer at pH 7.55-7.8 and 15-25°C. Turbidity levels indicate the stability of blood protein fractions.
Indications for the Thymol Test
The TT assesses protein stability in serum or plasma for diagnosing liver diseases. Normal stability decreases, with protein precipitation, when liver parenchyma cell function is impaired. A positive result indicates reduced albumin and elevated beta- and gamma-globulin levels.
This protein imbalance aids in detecting hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver tumors, differentiating jaundice, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, rheumatic conditions, acute viral infections, malaria, malignancies, and protein-nitrogen metabolism disorders.
Clinical diagnosis should not rely solely on this biochemical test but on a comprehensive clinical-laboratory evaluation.
How Is the Thymol Test Conducted?
A specialist draws venous blood. Serum or plasma must be separated from blood cells within 2 hours of collection, free of hemolysis signs.
Measurements use test kits manually or with automated analyzers. After mixing reagents with the serum sample, they are incubated, and optical density is measured with a photoelectric colorimeter (620-660 nm) or spectrophotometer at 630 nm. Turbidity intensity is recorded using a calibration curve, expressed in Shank-Hoagland (S-H) turbidity units.
Approximate interpretation of TT results (S-H units): normal – up to 4, borderline – 4-5, pathological – above 5.
This photometric method’s analytical sensitivity is up to 2 units, with a measurement range of 20 units. Labs should clarify reference ranges to avoid misinterpretation.
Completion Time for the Thymol Test
Manual testing involves multiple incubation sessions, requiring at least 1 hour. High-throughput analyzers in equipped facilities may reduce this time.
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