การตรวจ NK Cell-PTP

Currently, annual health check-ups are considered a basic method that many people use to monitor the occurrence of diseases. However, some serious diseases, such as cancer or chronic infections, often do not show symptoms in the early stages, making general health check-ups potentially insufficient for assessing the body&#8217;s strength, especially the immune system.
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NK Cell testing is therefore another option that should not be overlooked because it directly evaluates immune function at the cellular level, helping us to monitor, prevent, and plan health care more effectively.
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<h2>What is an NK Cell? Why is it called the killer cell?</h2>
NK Cell (Natural Killer Cell) is a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte, which is part of the innate immune system. It plays an important role in detecting and destroying abnormal cells in the body, such as virus-infected cells or cells mutated into cancer.
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NK Cells work by detecting the reduction or absence of MHC class I molecules on the cell surface, which signals that the cell is abnormal. This process does not require specific antigen recognition like other immune cells. Due to their rapid and precise response, NK Cells are often called “killer cells.”
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Additionally, NK Cells help increase the secretion of cytokines, substances that stimulate and regulate the function of other immune cells such as T-cells and B-cells, enhancing the overall efficiency of the immune system.
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However, the effectiveness of NK Cells may decrease with age or in conditions of weakened immunity, such as chronic stress, insufficient rest, underlying diseases, or chronic infections, which significantly reduce the ability to fight infections, cancer cells, and chronic inflammation.
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<h2>How is NK Cell testing different from general blood tests?</h2>
General blood tests provide basic information about overall health, such as blood cell counts, blood sugar and lipid levels, liver and kidney function, uric acid, basic hormones, and markers of inflammation or infection. However, these tests cannot directly assess the immune system’s effectiveness in eliminating pathogens or abnormal cells at the cellular level.
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NK Cell testing is another option for those who want an in-depth evaluation of their immune system. It involves culturing the patient’s blood with target cells, such as laboratory-prepared cancer cells, to measure the NK Cell’s ability to destroy these abnormal cells. This method is called the NK Cell Activity Test (Functional Assay). If the test shows that NK Cells can destroy target cells at a high level, for example, more than 35% (depending on each laboratory’s criteria), it is considered effective.
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Additionally, the test can measure cytokine levels secreted by NK Cells, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which plays a key role in stimulating other immune responses, reflecting the body’s readiness to respond to pathogens or foreign cells.
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<h2>Comparison of NK Cell testing with general blood tests</h2>
<table width="601" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="8">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="82" height="1">
Difference
</td>
<td width="264">
NK Cell Test
</td>
<td width="205">
General Blood Test
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="82" height="21">Purpose</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="264">To assess immune cell performance</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="205">General health check, e.g., anemia, diabetes, lipids, liver, kidney</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="82" height="21">Cells tested</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="264">NK Cell white blood cells</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="205">Red blood cells&#8211;white blood cells, platelets, sugar, lipids, and others</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="82" height="21">Technique</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="264">Flow Cytometry, Luminex or target cell killing efficiency measurement</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="205">General automated analyzers in the lab</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="82" height="21">Process</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="264">Complex, requires control of time, temperature, and specialized equipment</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="205">Standard procedures in general labs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="82" height="21">Blood volume</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="264">Slightly more than usual</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="205">Small amount</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="82" height="21">Preparation</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="264">May require fasting for 8-12 hours in some cases</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="205">Fasting depends on the test required</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="82" height="2">Result waiting time</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="264">3-7 days</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="205">1-2 days or a few hours</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="82">Interpretation</td>
<td style="text-align: center" width="264">Interpreted together with other data by a specialist doctor</td>
<td style="text-align: center" valign="bottom" width="205">Interpreted according to standard values</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Why should you know your NK Cell level?</h2>
Although NK Cell Activity test results cannot directly diagnose any disease, they can be used as supplementary information to assess immune system performance, especially in individuals prone to recurrent infections or with weakened immunity.
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Knowing the level and effectiveness of NK Cells helps doctors plan personalized preventive health care appropriately, such as adjusting lifestyle behaviors, choosing diets, or boosting immunity as needed to strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of serious diseases in the long term.
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However, if the test shows low NK Cell Activity, it does not mean the person has cancer or any specific disease directly. It is only an indicator reflecting immune weakness or some abnormalities that should be monitored and further evaluated along with other clinical information.
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<h2>Who should get NK Cell testing?</h2>
NK Cell testing is suitable for those who want to understand their health in depth, especially regarding immune system effectiveness, which plays a crucial role in preventing serious diseases in the future. Groups who should consider testing include:
<ul>
<li>Individuals with a personal or family history of cancer</li>
<li>Those with weakened immunity or frequent infections</li>
<li>People experiencing chronic stress, insufficient rest, or behaviors affecting immune function</li>
<li>Those recovering from severe infections or with immune deficiencies, such as patients on immunosuppressive drugs or with chronic diseases</li>
<li>Elderly individuals or those with underlying diseases that may affect immunity</li>
<li>People who want in-depth health monitoring to track body trends and plan long-term health care</li>
</ul>
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Testing and interpretation should be done under the guidance of a specialist doctor to ensure accurate assessment and personalized health care planning.
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<h2>Plan in-depth health care with NK Cell testing</h2>
For those with immune system issues or who want serious in-depth health care, Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital offers NK Cell testing with high-standard laboratory services using advanced technologies such as Flow Cytometry and Cytokine Activity Analysis. Our immunology medical team will analyze the results accurately and comprehensively to help plan health care, adjust lifestyle behaviors, and boost immunity appropriately based on personalized test results.

An NK cell test is a deep assessment of the immune system&#39;s ability to detect and eliminate abnormal cells, such as cancer cells or cells infected with viruses. It is suitable for those seeking long-term health care or planning a personalized health plan to effectively prevent disease.

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