#32: Labs Testing for COVID-19 are Being Overloaded!

Perhaps I will be guilty of showing my age, but I cannot recall the date that Dr. Google, Dr. Twitter, and Dr.Instagram became the go-to experts on all things health-related. Specifically, the cacophony of noise created by the pandemic of COVID-19. The amount of garbage these three “doctors” spew out daily, even hourly, regarding just this topic alone, is outrageous. If these “doctors” do happen to spit out (I will get back to this in a minute) some factual information, they leave it up to the layperson to disseminate fact from fiction. Honestly, when I was an intern these three world-famous “doctors” were yet to be born. My how fast they became experts.

This website: cdc.gov/coronavirus will give you the most updated/accurate information out there. However, I will warn you it will still leave you with a lot of questions. Why, you ask? The answer is
simple. This is a new mutation, not a lab created pathogen according to the world renown Scripps Research institute (Sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200317175442.htm) that we have known about since mid-December 2019, therefore information can and will change frequently for awhile. There just has not been enough time for study to give out exact and accurate answers to every question. The experts are using their knowledge of other Coronaviruses (SARS and MERS for example) along with what they are currently seeing and making educated guesses.

If you are using proper collection techniques (wearing gloves until specimen cup is in the biohazard bag and sealed, washing hands after removing gloves and disinfecting any areas where urine may have come in contact with a surface) you have no more risk than anyone else of contacting coronavirus. As of right now there is no evidence COVID-19 can be transmitted through urine. We do know this virus is transferred through respiratory droplets (thus my sarcastic reference to spit). It is not airborne, like measles. Not everyone who has the sniffles needs to be tested. Coronavirus has been around since the 1960s. COVID-19 is a new mutation.

Did you run to a doctor to be tested, or worse yet, to an emergency room last year when you had
the sniffles? Stop listening to Dr. Google or trying to interpret what a talking head said on TV in an attempt to keep you from changing the channel. If you have a real concern ask your health care provider.

The most recent information the National Lab Association I belong to has relayed to us is labs are being overloaded. Much of the early testing was unnecessary due to the fact the symptoms where not indicative of the virus and many came back negative. Doctors quickly learned to be more selective on who and what they test, dependent upon the symptoms and history presented. At this time, patients who are over 60, and individuals who have underlying chronic medical conditions and/or immuno-compromised condition, who present with a fever over 100, a persistent cough and fatigue should be tested. Any person that knowingly has come in contact with someone who has COVID-19 should be tested. Trust the process. Oh, and since I neglected to mention earlier, stay away from Dr Facebook as well!!

Thank you all for your business and please stay well.

Lance Benedict
President/CEO Industry Lab Diagnostic Partners
03/20/2020

#31: Introducing Mitragynine (Kratom) to our Testing Menu

Industry Lab is adding the drug Mitragynine (Kratom) to our testing menu.  We will hopefully be able to test this drug in approximately 6 weeks.  Mitragynine stimulates opioid-like activity in the brain and reduces pain response.  It has also been shown to create a euphoric effect, similar to opium or heroin, which those prone to abuse are searching for.  Typically the peak effects of the drug occur around 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours after ingestion.  Currently some research says the half-life of Mitragynine is thought to be around 23-24 hours which means it would take around a whole day for someone to eliminate 50% of the Kratom in their body.  Another body of research says the fastest half-life of Mitragynine could be just over seven hours which puts full elimination at around 1.6 days.  On the slower end of the spectrum, it could take up to 9 days for all presence of Kratom to be eliminated.  The common factors, age, body fat, genetics, food/water intake and of course metabolic rate play a role in the elimination rate. 

      

Kratom is NOT illegal in several states, however, there are some states where it has been banned, including the states of TN and Arkansas where it is defined as a controlled substance.  At one time in 2016 the DEA said it would list Kratom as a Schedule 1 drug but due to political pressure withdrew its decision.  It is still being debated.  The bottom line is we do not know about this potentially dangerous herb/drug.  There is a need to carry out extensive research on the safety and efficacy of the plant.

It is typically taken orally, either by making a tea from the leaves and drinking it or the leaves are crushed and the powder mixed with food and drink.  People also chew the leaves to obtain the desired effect.  It is a mind-altering substance, therefore has the potential for abuse.  People in Asia who have used Kratom for a long period of time have shown the development of a tolerance to the plant and therefore have to take greater amounts to obtain the same effects. 

For those of you who reached out to us regarding the Tornados this week, thank you very much.  The large tornado that caused so much destruction and death in Nashville and the surrounding areas, struck approximately two miles from the lab.  Everyone who is connected to the lab is safe and sound and all were fortunate to escape any damage.  We all have seen pictures over the years of the destruction these “bombs” of nature can cause, however, the reality hits home when walking through the rubble of what was once someone’s house or business you have visited in the past.  Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers. 

As always we appreciate your trust in us and thank you for your business.

Lance Benedict

President/CEO Industry Lab Diagnostic Partners  

03/06/2020