A Scientific Article by Assistant Lecturer Hanadi Tahseen Muslim Khalaf Title:The Importance of Laboratory Tests in Early Detection of Endocrine Disorders

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Endocrine disorders are among the health conditions that may go unnoticed in their initial stages, as they often begin with subtle and non-specific symptoms. This highlights the crucial importance of laboratory tests, which have become an essential component of early diagnosis, particularly with the increasing prevalence of hormone-related disorders such as thyroid dysfunction, adrenal gland disorders, and pancreatic disorders. These tests play a vital role in providing an accurate picture of hormone levels within the body and detecting minor changes that may indicate an underlying problem before it develops into a chronic condition or affects other organs. This enables patients to receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner and significantly reduces complications. The most common tests include measuring thyroid hormones such as TSH, T3, and T4, which help physicians determine whether the gland is overactive or underactive. Similarly, cortisol and ACTH tests are crucial for assessing adrenal gland health, while measuring insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) plays a fundamental role in diagnosing pancreatic disorders and insulin resistance. What distinguishes laboratory tests is that they are not solely reliant on clinical suspicion; they can even detect disorders that have not yet manifested symptoms in patients. This allows physicians the opportunity to develop early treatment plans that prevent problem progression and help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, significant advancements in laboratory analysis equipment have made these tests more accurate and faster in delivering results, thereby strengthening the laboratory's role as an essential component of diagnosis. Today, many disorders that were previously detected years after their onset can now be diagnosed within days, thanks to laboratory analysis. Ultimately, early detection remains the most crucial step in protecting an individual's health, and laboratory tests are the fundamental tool that physicians rely on to reach accurate diagnoses. Therefore, conducting these tests periodically, especially for those with mild symptoms or a family history of endocrine diseases, is an important part of maintaining long-term health. Al-Mustaqbal University - Ranked First Among Iraqi Private Universities