Heart : Total Cholesterol, HDL, Calculated LDL, Triglycerides, Calculated Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
Heart : Cardio CRP
Thyroid : TSH and free T4
Kidneys : BUN, Creatinine and BUN/Creatinine Ratio
Bone : Calcium
Liver : Albumin, Total Protein, Globulin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio, Alk. Phos, ALT, AST, Total Bilirubin
Diabetes (Pancreas) : Glucose
Whole body : Chloride, Potassium, Sodium, Iron, TIBC, Iron/TIBC percent saturation and Ferritin
Urinalysis
HEART TESTS
Cholesterol is an essential body fat needed to produce substances such as hormones and bile. High levels of cholesterol are usually associated with a higher risk of heart disease and narrowed blood vessels. Lipids included in total cholesterol are HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
HDL cholesterol is commonly called “good” cholesterol because it can aid in the removal of excess cholesterol in body tissues and help prevent the accumulation of LDL cholesterol in the arteries. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are desirable.
LDL Cholesterol is considered “bad” cholesterol because it can accumulate in the inner walls of your arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow. This result is not measured directly, rather it is derived from the total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride results. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol are desirable.
Triglycerides are fats composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Triglycerides combine with proteins to form particles called lipoproteins that transport fats through the bloodstream. These lipoproteins carry triglycerides from the liver to other parts of the body that need this energy source. Triglycerides then return to the liver where they are removed from the body. The level of triglycerides in your blood can indicate how efficiently your body processes the fat in your diet. Accurate results require a minimum of a twelve-hour fast (no food or drink except water and medication) prior to testing.
CHOL/HDLC RATIO calculation is obtained by dividing the total cholesterol level by the HDL cholesterol level. The higher the number, the greater is the risk of coronary heart disease.
THYROID TESTS
TSH, 3RD GENERATION W/REFLEX TO FT4 Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain, which controls the activity of the thyroid and many other body systems. The TSH test is the best test to screen for an overactive or underactive thyroid gland.
T-4, FREE When the TSH test result is above or below the normal range, a Free Thyroxine (FT4) is performed to help make an accurate diagnosis. Thyroxine (T4) can either be bound to proteins or be unbound. The unbound portion is called FT4 and is the biologically active form of thyroid hormone that controls the rate of metabolism.
KIDNEYS TESTS
Urea Nitrogen (BUN). Urea, Measured as Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), is a waste product derived from the natural breakdown of protein in the liver. Urea is excreted in the urine after blood is filtered through the kidneys. The urea nitrogen level reflects both the metabolism of protein and the effectiveness of the kidneys in filtering blood
Creatinine is derived from muscles and released into the blood. It is removed from the body by the kidneys. When the creatinine level is elevated, a decrease in kidney function is suggested.
EGFR. Creatinine is not sensitive to early renal damage since it varies with age, gender and ethnic background. The impact of these variables can be reduced by an estimation of the Glomerlar Filtration Rate (EGFR) using an equation that includes serum creatine, age and gender.
BUN/CREATININE RATIO is a calculated value derived by dividing the urea nitrogen result by the creatinine result. This ratio can be helpful in determining whether an elevated urea nitrogen is due to impaired kidney function or to other factors such as dehydration, urinary blockage, or excessive blood loss.
BONE TESTS
CALCIUM. The normal adult skeleton is made up of 206 bones. Bone is composed of specialized cells and proteins as well as a hard mineral substance made of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Bone serves as a reservoir of calcium for the body. The bone marrow located in the center of many bones produces the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
LIVER TESTS
ALBUMIN. The liver is the body’s chief “chemical factory” and performs many varied and complex tasks. The liver produces certain proteins such as albumin and the proteins that are involved with blood clotting. The liver also produces about half of the total cholesterol in the body (the other half comes from food). The liver filters blood from all over the body. Enzymes in the liver neutralize harmful or toxic substances such as alcohol or medications which are then eliminated in either bile or blood. The liver also serves as a storage site for sugars and lipids, which can be released when needed.
TOTAL PROTEIN has two main components – albumin and globulin. The body’s protein is derived from ingested food and therefore is influenced by the quality of diet, as well as by liver and kidney function.
GLOBULIN is not measured directly. It is calculated as the difference between the total protein and the albumin levels. The globulins are a group of about 60 different proteins that are part of the immune system, which helps to fight or prevent infections. They also play an important role in blood clotting, and serve as carrier proteins for hormones.
ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN RATIO is derived by dividing the albumin result by the globulin result. The calculated ratio sometimes highlights an abnormality that is not obvious by reviewing the individual test results.
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE is an enzyme found primarily in bone and liver. Abnormalities can reflect increased activity of bone forming cells or obstruction to bile flow in the liver.
ALT and AST are enzymes produced primarily in the liver, skeletal and heart muscle. ALT is present in the liver in a higher concentration than AST and is more specific for differentiating liver injury from muscle damage.
DIABETES (PANCREAS) TESTS
GLUCOSE is the chief source of energy for all cells in the body. This test Measures the concentration of glucose in your blood.
WHOLE BODY TESTS
SODIUM, POTASSIUM, and CHLORIDE, collectively known as electrolytes, are important for salt and water balance. Imbalances may be due to problems with diet, fluid intake, medication, kidney disease, or lung disorders. These tests are interpreted together.
IRON, TOTAL. Iron plays many important roles in the body. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein present in red blood cells. Hemoglobin allows the red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to all of the body tissues, and to carry carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs where carbon dioxide is exhaled. Iron is best interpreted with the Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC). The TIBC reflects the total capacity of the blood to carry iron. The percent saturation is the ratio of the Iron to TIBC. It is a reflection of remaining capacity to carry iron. Ferritin, another protein, is the best indicator of the amount of uncommitted iron reserve that the body has in storage.
IRON BINDING CAPACITY. Iron plays many important roles in the body. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein present in red blood cells. Hemoglobin allows the red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to all of the body tissues, and to carry carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs where carbon dioxide is exhaled. Iron is best interpreted with the Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC). The TIBC reflects the total capacity of the blood to carry iron. The percent saturation is the ratio of the Iron to TIBC. It is a reflection of remaining capacity to carry iron. Ferritin, another protein, is the best indicator of the amount of uncommitted iron reserve that the body has in storage.
FERRITIN is useful in the diagnosis of hupochromic, miscrocytic anemias.
TOTAL BILIRUBIN Bilirubin is the main pigment in bile and a major product of normal red cell breakdown. It is helpful in evaluating liver function, various anemias and in evaluating jaundice, yellowing of the skin.
% SATURATION Iron plays many important roles in the body. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein present in red blood cells. Hemoglobin allows the red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to all of the body tissues, and to carry carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs where carbon dioxide is exhaled. Iron is best interpreted with the Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC). The TIBC reflects the total capacity of the blood to carry iron. The percent saturation is the ratio of the Iron to TIBC. It is a reflection of remaining capacity to carry iron. Ferritin, another protein, is the best indicator of the amount of uncommitted iron reserve that the body has in storage.
Cardio CRP; CRP stands for “C-reactive protein” which is made by the liver in response to infection, tissue injury or inflammation. Even low values, previously regarded as normal, have been shown to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis (fatty deposits lining the walls of blood vessels). Results of this test can help predict your risk of developing atherosclerotic heart disease. Build up of these fatty deposits can cause chest pain, called angina, and eventually lead to a heart attack. Your risk increases with increasing levels of CRP.