What does the term "hypo-" indicate?

The term "hypo-" serves as a prefix in medical terminology that denotes a state of being beneath or below a certain normal level. In clinical contexts, it is often used to describe conditions or measurements that are lower than expected or normal. For instance, "hypoglycemia" refers to lower-than-normal blood sugar levels, while "hypotension" indicates low blood pressure. The use of "hypo-" reflects a comparative state in relation to what is considered standard or average in health parameters.

Other terms that might be confused with "hypo-" include "hyper-", which indicates excess or over normal levels, and "normo-", which would denote normal levels. Understanding these prefixes is crucial in veterinary medicine, as they help accurately describe a pet's health condition.