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is among the principal organic compound that makes up RNA. With the help of ADA, our immune system is developed. If ADA does not break down adenosine, we might fail to maintain our immune systems. ADA performs many other tasks in the body and is an essential enzyme.
Do you know that doctors have still not understood the complete physiological impact of ADA? ADA plays its role in cellular differentiation, gestation, and neurotransmission. It also stimulates the release of excitatory amino acids in the body. If ADA does not deaminate adenosine, several body issues might occur. Studies have shown that a lack of ADA in the body might lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Many other issues might occur in the body due to the high amount of adenosine.

When a person is ADA deficient, the adenosine in the body might not break. Since ADA will not break down adenosine, the amount of adenosine in the body will increase. It will lead to several problems and might get serious in later stages. However, you can monitor your ADA levels by taking frequent Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) tests. An ADA test will determine the presence of bacteria that might cause tuberculosis. When the amount of ADA in pleural fluid is more than normal, a person is vulnerable to tuberculosis. When ADA present in pleural fluid is below normal, a person might not have tuberculosis. However, low ADA levels might cause many other problems in the body. To rule out tuberculosis, an ADA test is performed. ADA test will also help the patient know the exact ADA levels in the body. Read on to understand more about Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) test.

Who Should Get an Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Test?

As discussed above, the ADA test is used to detect the presence of mycobacterium in pleural fluids. Mycobacterium is responsible for tuberculosis in humans. With the help of the ADA test, doctors can check for the presence of tuberculosis in the body. Besides tuberculosis, the ADA test is also used to detect infection in other bodily fluids. For example, an ADA test can confirm infection in peritoneal or cerebrospinal fluids. Some reasons that
indicate the requirement for an ADA test are as follows:

• People who have been in close contact with a tuberculosis patient need an ADA test
• Pregnant individuals might need an ADA test
• Children who have tested positive for TB will need an ADA test
• People experiencing troubles with their immune systems might need an ADA test

Why Get Tested for Adenosine Deaminase (ADA)?

You need to get tested for ADA to rule out the presence of Mycobacterium. If Mycobacterium is present in pleural fluids, it might lead to tuberculosis. You cannot ignore a disease like tuberculosis and need an ADA test quickly. Since ADA is an enzyme responsible for breaking down adenosine, it should be present in the required amount. If a person is ADA deficient, adenosine will be more than required in the body. An abnormal amount of
adenosine in the body will lead to several infections and diseases. When the doctor notices an abnormality in the pleural fluid, you will have to take an ADA test. Without an ADA test, you might never know the ADA levels in the body. Doctors will understand diseases like tuberculosis and fibrosis without an ADA test.

When Get Tested for Adenosine Deaminase (ADA)?

When fluid is accumulated in the chest cavity, you might need an ADA test. Accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity is an indication of tuberculosis. However, smart people do not wait for an infection to occur. They get tested for ADA at frequent intervals and prevent any mishap from happening. Chronic cough with blood, chills, night sweats, and many other symptoms indicate the requirement for an ADA test. People undergoing treatment for
tuberculosis will need an ADA test every quarter or month. ADA test will help measure the effectiveness of ongoing tuberculosis treatment. Healthy individuals can also take an ADA test every quarter or year to determine the ADA levels in the body.

Sample Required

For conducting the ADA test, a pleural fluid sample is required. With the method of thoracentesis, doctors collect a pleural fluid sample. Some excess fluid is removed from the pleural space of the patient. Once the pleural fluid is collected, lab technicians perform some tests to determine abnormality. The pleural fluid is collected from the pleura, a membrane that covers the chest and the lungs. Between the layers of pleura, lab technicians can find
the pleural fluid. A needle is inserted in the pleural space of the patient to collect a pleural fluid sample.

Is Fasting Required Before an Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Test?

There aren’t any special preparations for the ADA test. The lab technician will simply collect a pleural sample and perform the test. Unlike other tests, you don’t have to fast before taking an ADA test. In some rare cases, doctors might ask the patient to stop certain medications before an ADA test. For best results, it is better to consult your doctor before taking an ADA test.

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