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NDTV
a day ago
- Health
- NDTV
5 Blood Tests Every Woman Needs To Track For Real Health Insights: Nutritionist
Ever looked at your blood test report, seen everything marked "normal," and still felt off? You are not alone. Nutritionist Rashi Chowdhary is calling out the hidden gaps in how we read our lab results. In a recent Instagram video, she explains how standard lab ranges might actually be covering up real health issues, especially in women. "Because most lab ranges aren't based on what's healthy, they're based on an average," she says, pointing to a crucial yet often overlooked truth. She continues, "And where are those averages coming from? They come from people who are already tired, inflamed and unwell because these are the people who are actually going to get their blood work done, right?" According to Rashi, laboratories like LabCorp, Quest, Mayo Clinic, ThyroCare, SRL, or even Metropolis in India build their reference ranges from sick populations. She explains, "So when your results say that your thyroid or B12 is normal but you still feel off, that's not something in your head, it's just because the system is broken. Look, you're being compared to the average, not the optimal." What is the solution? "You have to stop chasing normal, start looking for optimal reference ranges and use functional medicine reference ranges because those are more accurate. The ones that actually reflect real well-being," says the nutritionist. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rashi Chowdhary (@rashichowdhary) She then highlights five basic blood tests that every woman needs to track with their optimal ranges. "These ranges are policy-based, requiring long-term data, expert consensus & time-consuming regulatory approval," she says. "This rigorous process means they're slow to catch up to newer research, real-world clinical results & what many practitioners actually see working for patients in real life." 5 Essential blood tests for women 1. Fasting insulin As per Rashi, it "detects early insulin resistance even if your glucose is normal." The optimal range is ideally between < 4-6 uIU/mL for optimal metabolic and hormonal function. She suggests to start paying attention if it is above 8. 2. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) "Even borderline thyroid issues can affect periods, mood, metabolism, and fertility," she mentions, adding, "Symptoms often appear even when TSH is still considered 'normal' by labs." The optimal range is 1.0-2.2 mIU/L. 3. Progesterone & estrogen (estradiol) She tells, "These hormones need to be in the right ratio - not just individually 'normal' - especially during the luteal phase," further highlighting that the progesterone for the mid-luteal phase. Going as per the cycle, she elaborates - The optimal range of Progesterone on Days 19-21 of a 28-day menstruation cycle should be 22-25 ng/mL, as it is optimal for ovulation and hormone balance. The optimal range of Estradiol on Days 2-4 of the cycle should be 30-50 pg/mL. She mentions that this is considered a healthy baseline, as too high ranges mean estrogen dominance, while too low leads to poor ovulation or low reserves. The ideal ratio between Progesterone and Estrogen (Pg/E2) is 300-500:1, she says, adding, "Please don't calculate this from the above tests, this is a separate test." "I know serum ranges are not accurate & when required we do offer DUTCH plus test on the ONE Program." 4. HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin) Rashi clarifies that this reflects average blood sugar levels over 3 months, which is helpful even in lean PCOS, fatigue, or weight issues. The optimal range is < 5.4%. But when correlated with Insulin & HOMA IR, which is linked to early insulin resistance, even a range of 5.5-5.6% is considered good. 5. Prolactin She tells, "Check this if you've ruled out everything & struggling to lose weight and deal with symptoms like low mood, depression like symptoms, irregular periods or acne. Elevated prolactin can mess with ovulation, libido, and thyroid hormone conversion," adding, "Even slight elevations can interfere with cycle regularity." The optimal range is < 15 ng/mL for women not pregnant or breastfeeding. In the concluding note, the nutritionist suggests referring to these ranges the next time you get your labs done. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Tech layoffs: TCS, Microsoft, Intel among 5 slashing thousands of jobs in apparent AI restructure
Several global tech companies, including TCS, Microsoft, Intel, Meta, and Panasonic, are laying off thousands of employees this year as they adjust to changing business needs and the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI). While some companies say the cuts are tied to efficiency and restructuring, others like TCS are pointing to internal challenges such as skill mismatches. Here is everything you need to know about the latest set of layoffsTata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's biggest IT firm, is reducing its global workforce by about 2 per cent, which could affect around 12,000 employees. However, the company insists this move is not due to AI-based productivity gains. In a recent interview, TCS CEO K Krithivasan clarified to Money Control that the layoffs are happening because of limited options to redeploy employees who do not match current project requirements. He said the company is still actively hiring and training people, but some roles, especially at mid and senior levels, are hard to explained that while over 5.5 lakh employees have been trained in basic digital skills and nearly 1 lakh in advanced technologies, some senior professionals are struggling to adapt beyond the initial training levels. As a result, the company is finding it difficult to deploy them job cuts Microsoft, too, has let go of more than 15,000 employees this year. On top of that, around 2,000 workers labelled as underperformers have also exited the company. This comes even as Microsoft is reporting strong earnings and hitting record-high stock prices. In a memo to employees, CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged the layoffs and said he understands how difficult this period has been for everyone. Despite the company's solid financial health, he said restructuring is necessary to stay aligned with long-term goals, especially as Microsoft continues to invest heavily, around $80 billion — in building AI job cutsIntel is making one of the biggest cuts this year, with plans to reduce its workforce by about 24,000 employees — roughly a quarter of its total staff. The decision was announced during the company's quarterly earnings update. Intel's new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, said the company is focusing on becoming leaner and more efficient after overbuilding in areas where demand didn't materialise as expected. As part of this shift, Intel is cancelling some of its factory projects in Germany and Poland, and is moving some work from Costa Rica to Vietnam — impacting around 2,000 employees in Costa Rica layoffsMeanwhile, Meta has made fresh job cuts in its Reality Labs division, which looks after its VR and AR products, including games for its Quest headsets. While the company did not share exact numbers, teams working on some notable projects like the Supernatural fitness app were affected. Meta said the goal is to streamline operations and improve focus on future mixed reality experiences. Earlier this year, Meta had also cut 5 percent of its workforce in a separate round, targeting underperforming layoffsadvertisementJapanese tech giant Panasonic has also joined the list, with a plan to cut 10,000 jobs as part of a broader effort to reduce costs and invest more in future technologies like AI. About half of these cuts will be in Japan, with the rest overseas. CEO Yuki Kusumi said the company is shifting away from slower segments like TVs and some industrial products, and expressed regret over the decision but emphasised that these steps are necessary for long-term growth.- Ends
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wicklow adventurer to take on 750km cycling challenge for charity
Nigel Jenkinson of Redcross got back into cycling in 2022 after training with a friend for a Quest event, which consisted of a mixture of running, cycling and kayaking. He then decided to partake in the Ring of Clare 2022 160km cycle challenge. Now he has set himself a new challenge, involving a 750km cycle across France. 'A few years ago I got back on my bike and set myself a challenge of cycling 160km event. I applied to take part in the Ring of Clare and was hooked, I decided to raise money for a local charity and I called into Wicklow Cancer Support and raised over €2,000 for them. 'Now this September, I'm trading my comfy couch for a bike seat and embarking on a six-day cycling odyssey from Paris to Nice, because why not go big or go home,' said Nigel. The charity ride starts on September 6, and Nigel is under no illusions over just how challenging the venture will prove, from both a mental and physical perspective. 'I'll be tackling everything from the charming streets of Montargis to the legendary climbs of Mount Ventoux. It's a journey that promises to test my legs, my resolve, and my ability to pronounce French town names correctly. 'But this isn't just about proving I can survive on energy gels and questionable French pastries. I'm pedalling for a purpose: raising funds for the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. This cause is close to my heart, as my family, like many others, has been touched by the challenges of Alzheimer's.' In Ireland, approximately 64,000 people are currently living with dementia. This number is projected to more than double by 2045, reaching an estimated 150,131, due to the increasing and aging population. Nigel has established an idonate page to help raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland and will be covering all the costs associated with the trip from his own pocket. He added: 'I'm covering all my own costs, so every euro you donate goes straight to supporting vital services and research for those affected by dementia in Ireland. With 11,000 new cases diagnosed each year, and numbers expected to rise, your support is more important than ever.' Nigel will be sharing regular updates on his training progress, and once he sets off on his journey, he will also provide daily updates from the event itself.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Who is Liam Gallagher's fiancée Debbie Gwyther?
Liam and Noel Gallagher have delighted the masses with their epic reunion tour - and a lot of the thanks goes to Liam's partner Debbie Gwyther who reportedly encouraged them to reunite. Oasis have been delighting fans across the nation with their reunion tour, as Noel and Liam Gallagher have come together for one epic return to the stage. The brothers have already performed at Manchester's Heaton Park on Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Wednesday, July 16. They will progress to London's Wembley Stadium, where they are due to appear from tonight, July 25, and then tomorrow, July 26 and 30 and August 2 and 3. Oasis Live' 25 will move on to Edinburgh 's Murrayfield on the weekend of August 8 and 9, and on Tuesday, August 12. The Gallagher brothers will be occupied with the tour until the end of the year, with performances scheduled up to late November. The final night is scheduled for November 23 in Brazil. Not only do they have the unwavering support from their loyal legion of fans, but Liam's fiancée Debbie Gwyther has been a rock to the hitmaker. She's even been credited for the duo coming back together, but who is she? Let's take a closer look at their relationship. 'She was a breath of fresh air' Music manager Debbie, 41, started as Liam's personal assistant in 2013, after working as an artist manager at London firm Quest. The couple started dating following his divorce from All Saints singer Nicole Appleton in 2014. Liam, 52, got down on one knee and popped the question to Debbie in 2019, after five years of dating, on the Amalfi Coast whilst on holiday in Italy with his mum Peggy. Speaking to the Mirror about his fiancée, the singer said: "She was a breath of fresh air, man. She sorted me right out. Me and her like to do the same things, like having a drink. "We like having a laugh. I've met my match, I've met my soulmate. It's good because the kids love her, the lads love her." Gushing over his partner, who Liam said "saved" him from a downward spiral during the bands 15-year hiatus, the singer told Q magazine: "Debbie saved me. No bulls**t. Debbie swooped me up as I was falling, she just said: 'Stop being a d***head'." He explained: "She got me out of the house, introduced me to all kinds of people outside my world, got me doing new things. I've lived in London a long time, but I only really knew Hampstead." Engagement & wedding plans Despite getting engaged in 2019, the pair are yet to walk down the aisle. They have postponed their wedding more than once in the years since. Liam and Debbie planned to return to the romantic country for their big day at Lake Como. However, their wedding plans were put on hold due to the restrictions surrounding the covid pandemic in 2020. The pair then planned their wedding for 2023 but ended up postponing it a second time due to Liam needing to undergo hip surgery. Recently, the couple were reported to be putting their wedding on hold for a third time to make way for the Oasis reunion. Speaking about Debbie in his documentary As It Was, Liam said: "Debbie was the one. She's the one like 'Come on you've not killed anyone, let's get back in the music'." In the 2019 documentary, Debbie added: "Liam just wanted to move abroad somewhere and live a quiet life. I knew that if he did that it would just be temporary anyway, because I knew that he would never be happy unless he was back singing and performing. "Whenever he was off-guard, he would pick up a guitar or he'd be singing. He just starts playing a few chords and then sees what comes out and then works on it from there, record it on his phone. Then most people get to hear it when he's had a drink basically." Oasis delighted fans with the announcement of their comeback in August last year. In October 2024, The Sun reported that Liam and Debbie were focused on the tour rather than their nupitals. However, the publication also stated that the couple are "more than committed" to each other after being happy in a relationship for over a decade now, and aren't concerned about their wedding plans being on hold right now.
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Next-Gen Breakthroughs Transform Influenza Diagnostics
Influenza diagnostics refers to methods and devices that are used to detect influenza virus infections in individuals, including rapid antigen tests, molecular assays (such as RT-PCR), and immunoassays. The market for influenza diagnostics is increasing due to increasing global awareness about infectious diseases, increasing incidence of influenza and increasing outbreaks, increasing demand for rapid and accurate testing, increasing demand for progress in clinical technologies and further emphasis on the identity of initial diseases and the identity of early diseases by governments and healthcare organizations. Key Growth Drivers and Opportunities Global Awareness about Infectious Diseases: Global awareness about infectious diseases increases the demand for increasing, accurate, accurate and comprehensive testing. Recent experiences with epidemic such as public health campaigns, media coverage, and Covid-19 have increased the importance of the general population of viral transmission and timely diagnosis. As a result, the healthcare provider and the government are prioritizing investment in clinical infrastructure, rapid testing development and monitoring systems to prevent large -scale outbreaks. This awareness leads to maximum adoption of influenza diagnostic tools in hospitals, clinics, airports and even home settings, which promotes continuous market growth. Challenges Influenza diagnostics faces the high cost of advanced testing technologies in the market, low income and clinical equipment limited to clinical equipment in rural areas and the limits of variability in test accuracy-especially with antigen tests that may be false negative. Additionally, the seasonal nature of influenza may demand ups and downs, affecting continuous revenue creation and investment. Regulatory obstacles and skilled personnel need to be widely adopted to adopt molecular diagnosis. Innovation and Expansion Quest Diagnostics Gets CDC Contracts to Create Oropouche Virus and H5 Avian Flu Tests In October 2024, leading diagnostic information services provider Quest Diagnostics announced that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded it multiple contracts to support testing and ongoing laboratory readiness for two newly discovered infectious diseases in the Americas. By guaranteeing that a national commercial laboratory provider may promptly augment public health laboratories in the case of an infectious disease epidemic in humans, the agreements will enhance the country's readiness for avian influenza and Oropouche viruses. The FDA Approves the First Over-the-Counter Flu and COVID-19 Test at Home In February 2023, the first over-the-counter (OTC) at-home diagnostic test that can distinguish and identify influenza A and B, sometimes referred to as the flu, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A single-use at-home test kit, the Lucira COVID-19 & Flu Home Test yields findings from self-collected nose swab samples in around half an hour. A single-use test for those exhibiting symptoms and indicators typical of a respiratory tract infection, including COVID-19, is the Lucira COVID-19 & Flu Home Test. The test is available without a prescription and may be done entirely at home with nose swab samples that people 14 years of age or older self-collect. Inventive Sparks, Expanding Markets Investing in major development strategies for influenza diagnostics manufacturers, investing rapidly and in multiplex test technologies, expanding at home and point-of-care test offerings, forming partnership with healthcare providers and governments, securing regulatory approval quickly and strengthening the global distribution network-in special emergence markets. About Author: Prophecy is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
