Question 1

What is gangrene?

Accepted Answer

Gangrene is the death of body tissue caused by a lack of blood supply or bacterial infection. It is most commonly caused by poor circulation from conditions like diabetes or peripheral artery disease, or by bacterial infections such as Clostridium perfringens. The Aldolase blood test is the most important test for monitoring gangrene because it detects enzyme levels released when tissue breaks down.

Question 2

What causes gangrene?

Accepted Answer

Gangrene is caused by interrupted blood supply to tissues or bacterial infection that kills body tissue. Poor circulation from diabetes, peripheral artery disease, atherosclerosis, or blood clots can starve tissues of oxygen and nutrients. Bacterial infections, particularly from Clostridium perfringens (gas gangrene), can rapidly destroy tissue. Severe injuries, frostbite, burns, and surgical complications can also trigger gangrene by damaging blood vessels or introducing bacteria into wounds.

Question 3

What is the best test for gangrene?

Accepted Answer

The Aldolase test is the most important blood test for monitoring gangrene because it measures enzyme levels released when tissue dies and breaks down. When gangrene destroys body tissue, aldolase leaks from damaged cells into your bloodstream, and elevated levels indicate ongoing tissue death. This test helps doctors assess how severe the tissue damage is and whether treatment is working. While gangrene is primarily diagnosed through physical examination and imaging studies, the Aldolase test provides crucial information about the extent of cellular breakdown happening in your body.

Question 4

When should I get tested for gangrene?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you notice skin that turns black, blue, or purple, especially on your fingers, toes, or limbs. Get immediate testing if you have severe pain followed by numbness in an area, foul-smelling discharge from a wound, or skin that feels cold and looks shiny. People with diabetes, circulation problems, or recent injuries should test at the first sign of skin color changes or persistent wound infections. Gangrene is a medical emergency, so testing and medical attention should happen immediately when symptoms appear.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of gangrene?

Accepted Answer

Gangrene symptoms include skin discoloration (black, blue, purple, or bronze), severe pain that suddenly stops as nerves die, and a clear line between healthy and dead tissue. You might notice numbness in the affected area, foul-smelling discharge, skin that feels cold or appears shiny, and tissue that looks and feels different from surrounding areas. Wet gangrene causes swelling, blistering, and pus, while dry gangrene makes skin dry, shriveled, and mummified. Fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, and feeling extremely ill indicate the infection is spreading.

Question 6

Who is at risk for gangrene?

Accepted Answer

People with diabetes face the highest risk because high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves, reducing circulation and wound healing. Those with peripheral artery disease, atherosclerosis, or blood clots have compromised blood flow that can lead to tissue death. Smokers, obese individuals, and people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable. Severe injuries, frostbite, burns, and recent surgeries increase risk, as do conditions requiring blood vessel procedures or medications that affect circulation.

Question 7

What happens if gangrene is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated gangrene leads to life-threatening sepsis as bacteria and toxins from dead tissue spread throughout your bloodstream. The infection can cause organ failure, shock, and death within days. Tissue death spreads to surrounding healthy areas, often requiring amputation of larger portions of limbs or extremities. Gas gangrene produces toxins that destroy tissue extremely rapidly and can be fatal within 48 hours. Even with treatment, delayed care often results in more extensive tissue loss and permanent disability.

Question 8

Can gangrene be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Gangrene cannot be diagnosed with blood tests alone but requires physical examination and imaging studies to confirm tissue death. Blood tests like Aldolase support the diagnosis by showing elevated enzyme levels from tissue breakdown, indicating how much damage has occurred. Doctors use blood tests to monitor the severity of tissue destruction, check for infection spreading through your body, and track whether treatment is working. The primary diagnosis comes from seeing the characteristic skin changes, but blood work provides essential information about the extent of the condition.

Question 9

How is gangrene treated?

Accepted Answer

Gangrene treatment requires immediate removal of dead tissue through surgical debridement to prevent infection spread. Doctors prescribe strong intravenous antibiotics to fight bacterial infection and may use hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help remaining tissue heal. Surgery to restore blood flow through bypass procedures or angioplasty may be necessary if poor circulation caused the gangrene. In severe cases, amputation of affected limbs or digits is required to save your life and stop the infection from spreading. Treatment always requires hospitalization and intensive medical care.

Question 10

How can I prevent gangrene?

Accepted Answer

Prevent gangrene by managing diabetes carefully with regular blood sugar monitoring and maintaining good circulation through exercise and avoiding smoking. Inspect your feet and hands daily for cuts, wounds, or color changes, especially if you have diabetes or circulation problems. Keep wounds clean and seek immediate medical care for any injury that does not heal properly. Avoid extreme cold exposure that can cause frostbite, maintain a healthy weight, and treat infections promptly before they spread to deeper tissues.

Question 11

What can I do at home for gangrene?

Accepted Answer

You cannot treat gangrene at home as it is a medical emergency requiring immediate professional care. Before reaching the hospital, keep the affected area still and positioned below heart level to maintain blood flow. Do not apply ice, heat, or home remedies to gangrenous tissue. After treatment and discharge, follow all wound care instructions precisely, take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, and attend all follow-up appointments. Monitor healing areas daily for signs of recurring infection like increased redness, warmth, or discharge, and report any concerns to your doctor immediately.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Gangrene Blood Test

What is Gangrene?

What causes gangrene?

What is the best test for gangrene?

When should I get tested for gangrene?

References

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