| ’Unnecessary fertility test’ risk |
Print this story |
Women with fertility and recurrent miscarriage problems are being offered unproven and potentially risky tests and treatments, say researchers.
A team of doctors from several UK universities says fertility clinics are increasingly offering tests to measure natural killer (NK) cells in the blood.
Women are then given powerful drugs which may have serious side effects.
But the British Medical Journal study says there is no scientific basis for offering the tests or treatments.
NK cells are found in the womb, and accumulate in large numbers during early pregnancy, but their function is completely unknown.
They may help to control blood supply to the lining of the womb and to the placenta, but how they do this is not yet clear.
The tests are based on speculation that recurrent miscarriages and infertility problems are in some way linked to a malfunction of NK cells.
’No useful information’
The researchers say that many women who record high levels of NK cells are then being offered powerful treatments, such as steroids or immune suppressant drugs, to try to reduce the cells’ numbers and activity.
But the team argues that the tests provide no useful information about what is happening in the uterus.
Not only does nobody fully understand what role the cells play, the tests analyse cells taken from the blood, which are different to those found in the uterus.
In addition, the level of NK cells found in the blood of a healthy person varies greatly, so there is no way of accurately defining what constitutes a high level in women who undertake the test.
At this stage, the researchers say, not only is there no evidence to justify the use of the tests, it is wrong to offer women powerful treatments which are known to carry risk, and which are not licensed for use in reproductive medicine.
Exploitation
Writing in the journal, they say: This unfortunate group of women are particularly vulnerable to financial exploitation, and of being exposed to powerful treatments that have, as yet, no rational scientific basis.
Lead researcher Dr Ashley Moffett from the University of Cambridge said: Women in this situation are quite understandably desperate and, because these cells appear to have unique qualities and are found in the uterus during early pregnancy, they have been latched on to as the one thing that something can be done about.
But as we still don’t know what their function is, it is totally premature to be thinking about any sort of intervention.
Dr Mark Hamilton, of the British Fertility Society, agreed with the conclusions of the paper.
He said the validity of the tests was unproven, and that it was wrong to advise women to take on treatment of no proven benefit and potentially hazardous.
The reproductive medicine community is acutely aware of how desperate couples either with a history of infertility or recurrent miscarriage are to have a baby.
However as with all medical interventions, it is a fundamental principle of good medical practice that safety concerns are addressed.
Great care has to be taken not to take advantage of couples merely because they are desperate and offer treatment which is sometimes expensive and often intrusive without adequate justification.
|
| Spirulina - The Ultimate Natural Nutritional Supplement - Nov 26, 2004 18:35 IST |
|
When it comes to natural nutritional supplements there is little doubt that Spirulina is head and shoulders above the rest. A nutrient rich blue green algae that grows naturally in mineral-rich alkaline lakes, Spirulina is the ultimate natural nutritional supplement and a giant leap beyond ordinary supplements. Spirulina contains the most complete source of nutrients found in any single food on the planet.
|
| Thousands ’unaware they have HIV’ - Nov 26, 2004 18:36 IST |
|
More than a quarter - 27% - do not know they have the infection, which could be as many as 14,300 people.
There were 6,606 new HIV infections diagnosed, the Health Protection Agency said, but that could rise to 7,000 once all the data are collected.
|
| NHS dentists ’may get scarcer’ - Nov 26, 2004 18:29 IST |
|
A shake-up in NHS dentistry will come into force next October in a bid to move from drill and fill treatments towards more preventative work.
But the National Audit Office (NAO) said dentists may end up cutting their NHS commitments because of scepticism and a lack of detail about the changes.
|
| Student Health Plans Thanksgiving Tradition - Nov 26, 2004 18:26 IST |
|
MedSave.com is gearing up for a lesser-known Thanksgiving tradition. Thousands of college students change their health insurance plans during their trip home to see parents this week. From the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through the following weekend, online and telephone requests from students and their parents have come in at a record pace. This trend has grown each year since the enrollment firm’s launch in 1997. Despite efforts to take more calls and process more applications, the firm still expects a backlog of business on Thanksgiving weekend. Other enrollment firms report similar trends. MedSave.com focuses on low cost health insurance, so it serves a higher percentage of students than some other enrollment firms. In addition, students are more likely than adults to enroll for a health plan online rather than traditional paper methods.
|
| Protein stops heart attack damage - Nov 26, 2004 18:27 IST |
|
University of Texas scientists worked on mice, but hope their findings will eventually lead to new treatment for heart disease.
The protein, Thymosin beta-4, is already used in clinical trials to promote wound healing on the skin.
|
| Prevent Adds ErgoSlide to Nationally Acclaimed Get A Lift! Program - Nov 26, 2004 18:22 IST |
|
Prevent, Inc. has added the ErgoSlide™, an innovative Slide Tube exclusively designed by ErgoSafe Products. The ErgoSlide™ can be used to move patients up or across a bed and turn them without pulling the patient’s body and without the caregiver having to lift. It is made from a strong nylon material sewn into a long roller band and is wide enough for a patient to lie on. Webbed handles are on both sides of the sheet around the full length, which are used to turn or slide the patient
|
| Let Earthen Products Get Your Skin in the Mood to be Renewed! - Nov 26, 2004 15:58 IST |
|
Spring is a time of rebirth and growth. It is a time to let the inner you come forth and face the warm sunny days ahead. Time to put your “best face forward” and what a better way to do this then with vibrant healthy looking skin! Earthen Inc. is to introduce three products that will “renew” your skin after the long harsh winter months: InstantPeel, Instant Cellu-Moist, and Peptide Infusion.
InstantPeel is an extraordinarily unique skin exfoliant that is the safe and gentle alternative to chemical peels. What is truly exciting about InstantPeel is that now you can have a facial within seven minutes, while in the comfort of your own shower. Unlike ordinary exfoliants, results are truly immediate and not over time. You’ll see dead skin cells and debris gently peel away as you massage. Unlike anything else, InstantPeel binds only to dead skin and debris, leaving younger-looking, baby soft skin in its place. Chemical peels are painful and produce redness, the acidity level of InstantPeel is close to neutral, and there are no aftereffects. Dermatologist-approved, clinically tested InstantPeel is hypoallergenic and safe for even the most sensitive of skins.
|
| Medical Billing Firm Moves Into New Location and Unveils New Website After Growing 200% in the First Year. - Nov 26, 2004 15:49 IST |
|
Outsource Management Group is an industry leading medical billing & medical coding outsourcing company providing physicians with complete practice management solutions nationwide.
The release of the new website and medical billing blog are indicative of Outsource Management Group’s commitment to being a leader in the industry by providing the best possible service and latest information and news.
|
| Permanent Cosmetic Leader to Network Physicians, Provide Medical Care - Nov 26, 2004 15:48 IST |
|
Premier Pigments, which provides the majority of the permanent make-up pigments used throughout the world by physicians, cosmetic technicians, and body artists, announced today an unprecedented offer to arrange medical treatment for anyone who has an allergic reaction to permanent cosmetics. The offer of medical care covers not only their clients, but also the customers of certified technicians who use other pigment suppliers.
Permanent pigments are overwhelmingly safe and successful and we will expend time and money to care for anyone who has an allergic reaction, identify physicians who can treat problems, and greatly enhance our programs to educate both doctors and technicians. Premier Pigments will also direct individuals who are dissatisfied with results to technicians who are skilled in correctional procedures. We are committed to strengthening the confidence the public has in our products and in the entire permanent cosmetics industry, said Sandi Hammons, president and CEO of Premier Pigments.
|
| 9 Months until Your Vitamin Supplements Will Be Banned - Nov 26, 2004 14:44 IST |
|
In 2002 the European Union passed the directive on dietary supplements. This directive, which is part of a larger form of legislation called codex alimentarius, is a dangerous directive which takes away your rights as An American citizen to control your own health.
This directive is on track to take effect in the United States in less than one year. August 2005 to be exact, and the scenario above will become reality for all of us. These laws will classify proven and safe supplements as “medical drugs”.
|
| Cancer-Treatments.org Offers Information on New Cancer Treatment Options - Nov 26, 2004 14:41 IST |
|
Did you know there is a doctor in Mexico who has a 98% success rate with curing bone cancer? Did you know clinics exist that can offer a 90-100% success rate with curing 4 and 5 stage cancers? Did you know there is a new form of super supplement that helps people quietly cure themselves of cancer?
Unfortunately, most cancer patients don’t know about this treatment... and they continue to suffer through hours of debilitating chemotherapy. Cancer-Treatments.org hopes to change that.
|
| Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CEO to Present at the 15th Annual Wall Street Analyst Forum Conference - Nov 26, 2004 13:51 IST |
|
Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX: KAL), a biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of drugs to treat cancer and osteolytic bone disease, announced today that Dr. Gary S. Jacob, Callisto Chief Executive Officer, will present at the 15th Annual Wall Street Analyst Forum Conference on December 1, 2004, at 11:40 a.m. Eastern time. The conference will be held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, New York.
Dr. Jacob will present an update on Callisto’s strategy and business development efforts, followed by an overview of its Annamycin and Atiprimod drug candidates. Annamycin, a drug from the anthracycline family, recently completed a Phase I/IIa trial in refractory leukemia patients. Callisto plans to initiate a Phase IIb trial in relapsed leukemia patients in the first half of 2005. Callisto’s second drug, Atiprimod, a small-molecule, orally-available drug with antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activity, began an open-label Phase I/IIa clinical trial in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) patients on May 25, 2004.
|
| Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Study Results Mis-Reported: Study Revelaed the Real Enemy is Junk Food - Nov 26, 2004 13:51 IST |
|
Recent headlines suggesting low-carb dieters were more likely to re-gain weight than low-fat dieters resulted from misinterpretation of a study presented earlier this month at a major conference on obesity. In fact, the study showed no difference between the two groups of dieters. The real “enemy” revealed by the study was junk food consumed after subjects had lost weight.
According to Catherine LaCroix, editor in chief of LowCarb Living magazine, the study presented earlier this month at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity was widely misreported. “A review of the data showed there was absolutely no difference in weight re-gain between the ‘low-carb’ and ‘low-fat’ groups,” said LaCroix. “So we talked to Suzanne Phelan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Human Behavior at Brown University, who presented the study. She admits that those headlines proclaiming ‘low fat beats low carb’ were ‘somewhat misleading.’”
|
| Consumers Buy Klonopin, Clonazepam And Rivotril From Online Pharmacies In Increasing Numbers. - Nov 26, 2004 13:45 IST |
|
Back by popular demand - the frequently prescribed anxiety medications Klonopin and it’s generic counterparts Clonazepam and Rivotril at US-Meds.com.
Consumers are now going to online pharmacies in increasing numbers in order to protect their privacy and to get immediate service - which is usually not available with traditional face to face doctor visits.
|
| AIDS Walk Founder Available for Comment: The Significance - Nov 26, 2004 13:34 IST |
|
While many cite declining numbers in fundraising for AIDS organizations as evidence of waning public interest in HIV/AIDS, the ever-successful AIDS Walks in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, demonstrate that public support for domestic HIV/AIDS services remains strong.
|
| Dispelling the myth. The reality behind human organ trafficking. Professor Nancy Scheper-Hughes in interview - Nov 26, 2004 13:28 IST |
|
Professor Nancy Scheper-Hughes, an anthropologist of international renown, first studied the phenomena of organ trafficking from the perspective of an urban myth. Her years of research however uncovered a system that is all too real.
In a rare interview with Three Monkeys Online Magazine, Professor Nancy Scheper-Hughes talks about the international system of trafficking in human organs, where people from impoverished countries sell kidneys, eyes, and any other body part that can be transplanted, to international brokers.
|
| Obesity? New Career? Forget the New Year Resolutions - Nov 26, 2004 13:18 IST |
|
On January 1, 2005, 97% of Americans will have made their New Year resolutions. By the end of January 2005, 95% of Americans will have discarded them as useless and unworkable. Is there a solution that will change lives or are such thoughts only for foolish dreamers?
|
| Good Samaritan Hospital To Provide Advanced Dialysis Therapy Vital In The Treatment Of Unstable Patients - Nov 26, 2004 12:48 IST |
|
Following the installation of new equipment and several months of staff training, the Frank and Fannie Weiss Renal Dialysis Center at Good Samaritan Hospital is now capable of performing continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), an advanced and alternative dialysis therapy.
CVVH is a more gentle and gradual dialysis therapy most commonly used in intensive care units for critically ill and unstable patients with acute renal failure. The Weiss Center is the only hospital-based facility in the county offering the procedure.
|
| The Myth About Illegal Drugs...Are They Cast - Off Psychiatric Drugs? - Nov 26, 2004 12:35 IST |
|
The founders of Label Me Sane, a California based company announced a nationwide lecture series to educate the public about both illegal and prescription drugs, specifically the psychiatric medication mass marketed today for all types of psychiatric disorders.
|
| One of the Finest Premier Spas in Ft. Lauderdale - Nov 26, 2004 12:8 IST |
|
Your unforgettable journey at The Retreat Spa, one of the finest spas in Ft. Lauderdale starts with our complimentary luxury Aromatherapy Steam room, unwind your body, mind and soul... while rejuvenating your spirit.
Next, loosen up those tight muscles with a Swedish or deep tissue massage, or try one of our Signature Treatments, a European Facial or Body Wrap.
|
|
|
|
|
