This marker is part of the "17-Hydroxysteroids" group. Please refer to the "17-Hydroxysteroids, Total" marker.

This is one of the three cortisol metabolites. The total some of the three cortisol metabolites gives us a good indication of the overall cortisol production in your body. 

Two of the 3 metabolites are the active form of cortisol (THF). The other metabolite is in the inactive form cortisone.

This particular marker (b-THE) hence is an inactive cortisone metabolite.

Tetrahydrocortisone is a terminal metabolite of cortisone. This metabolite along with the other terminal metabolites can be used to determine metabolized cortisol. Research in elevations or low levels of single terminal metabolites is limited, assessing metabolized cortisol and daily output may provide more clinically more relevant information.

THE is a terminal metabolite of cortisone. This metabolite along with the other terminal metabolites can be used to determine metabolized cortisol. Research in elevations or low levels of single terminal metabolites is limited, assessing metabolized cortisol and daily output may provide more clinically relevant information.

This marker is part of the "17-Hydroxysteroids" group. Please refer to the "17-Hydroxysteroids, Total" marker.

This marker is part of the "17-Hydroxysteroids" group. Please refer to the "17-Hydroxysteroids, Total" marker.

This marker is part of the "17-Hydroxysteroids" group. Please refer to the "17-Hydroxysteroids, Total" marker.

5B-THA is a terminal metabolite of corticosterone. This metabolite in combination with other terminal metabolites can be used to estimate metabolism of corticosterone. While research in elevations or low levels of single terminal metabolites is limited, assessing metabolism may provide valuable information about enzyme activity.

Tetrahydrodeoxycortisol (THS) is a mineralocorticoid, the main urinary metabolite of 11-deoxycortisol. THS excretion is significantly associated with tetrahydroaldosterone excretion, total androgen excretion, and cortisol metabolites.

This marker is part of the "17-Hydroxysteroids" group. Please refer to the "17-Hydroxysteroids, Total" marker.

This marker is part of the "17-Hydroxysteroids" group. Please refer to the "17-Hydroxysteroids, Total" marker.

This marker is part of the "17-Hydroxysteroids" group. Please refer to the "17-Hydroxysteroids, Total" marker.

Tetrahydrofolate is the basic, reduced form of folate from which other forms of reduced folate are made.

Active and Inactive Forms of Folate:

Dihydrofolate (DHF) is the dietary form of folate, whilst folic acid is the synthetic form of folate used in supplements and to fortify the food supply. These forms of folate are not biologically active; they must undergo enzymatic transformation to L-methylfolate in order to be used by cells. L-methylfolate, unlike the other folates, is able to cross the blood-brain barrier for use in the CNS. The conversion of dihydrofolate (DHF) and folic acid to L-methylfolate occurs through a three or four step process:

1. Folic acid is converted to DHF by the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme (DHFR)

2. DHF is then converted to tetrahydrofolate (THF)

3. THF is converted to 5,10-methyleneTHF

4. 5,10-methyleneTHF is converted to L-methylfolate by the methyltetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR).

Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) plays a crucial role in tissue regeneration, cell differentiation, embryonic development, and regulation of the immune system. Transforming growth factor beta is found in hematopoietic (blood-forming) tissue and initiates a signaling pathway that suppresses the early development of cancer cells. It enhances the deposition of extracellular matrix and may play potential role in wound healing and cirrhosis formation. Many cells synthesize TGF-b and almost all of them have specific receptors for this peptide.

TGF Beta-1 is a protein that has important regulatory effects throughout innate immune pathways.  This protein helps control the growth and division (proliferation) of cells, the process by which cells mature to carry out specific functions (differentiation), cell movement (motility), and the self-destruction of cells (apoptosis).  The TGF Beta-1 protein is found throughout the body and plays a role in development before birth, the formation of blood vessels, the regulation of muscle tissue and body fat development, wound healing, and immune system function (especially regulatory T-cells).

TGF Beta-1 can impair T-regulatory cell function, which in turn contributes to the activation of autoimmunity, yet TGF Beta-1 also plays a role in suppressing autoimmunity. Neurologic, autoimmune and many other systemmic problems also are found with high TGF Beta-1.

Th/To antibodies target RNase P and mitochondrial RNase ribonucleoprotein complexes. These antibodies are found in 2% to 5% of SSc patients and are primarily associated with lcSSc. Th/To antibodies are rarely found in other autoimmune diseases but can occur in patients with localized scleroderma.

Patients with Th/To antibodies often develop both ILD and PAH and thus have a poorer prognosis than other patients with lcSSc.

The TH1/TH2 ratio measures the balance between T-helper type 1 (TH1) and T-helper type 2 (TH2) cells. These are subsets of CD4+ T-helper cells that regulate the immune system by driving different types of immune responses:

• TH1 Cells: Promote cellular immunity, targeting intracellular pathogens (e.g., viruses, some bacteria) and cancer cells.
• TH2 Cells: Promote humoral immunity, stimulating antibody production to combat extracellular pathogens (e.g., parasites) and allergens.

The TH1/TH2 ratio reflects the overall immune system balance:

• A balanced ratio supports effective immunity against infections while avoiding excessive inflammation or hypersensitivity.
• An imbalanced ratio may indicate susceptibility to certain diseases, chronic inflammation, or immune dysregulation.

The Th17/Treg ratio is a critical marker offering significant insights into the immune system's regulatory mechanisms. Th17 cells (T-helper 17) and Treg cells (regulatory T cells) represent two distinct subsets of CD4+ T cells with opposing functions in the immune response.

Th17 cells are pro-inflammatory and play a crucial role in the body's defense against pathogens and in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. They are characterized by the production of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and other inflammatory cytokines.

On the other hand, Treg cells are responsible for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune responses by suppressing the activity of effector T cells, including Th17 cells.