Blutkonzentration

Blutkonzentration refers to the measurement of the amount of a specific substance present in a person's blood. This substance can be a drug, a hormone, a metabolite, a toxin, or any other molecule of interest. Measuring blood concentrations is a crucial diagnostic tool in medicine, allowing healthcare professionals to assess organ function, monitor treatment effectiveness, diagnose diseases, and detect poisonings.

Various techniques are employed to determine blood concentration, with common methods including spectroscopy, chromatography, and immunoassays. The interpretation of these results is highly dependent on the substance being measured, the individual patient's characteristics (such as age, weight, and kidney or liver function), and the clinical context. For example, therapeutic drug monitoring involves measuring the blood concentration of a medication to ensure it remains within a safe and effective range, optimizing patient outcomes while minimizing adverse effects. Similarly, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a legal standard used to determine intoxication. Elevated levels of certain substances can indicate disease processes, while abnormally low levels may point to deficiencies or other medical conditions. Accurate and timely blood concentration analysis is therefore vital for effective patient care.