Wellness Personal Health Monitor 1 – $79

Diabetes (Pancreas) Tests

Hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1C (also known simply as “A1c”) helps to monitor the effectiveness of diabetes therapy. When diabetes is well controlled, people feel better and suffer fewer complications of diabetes. The blood level of glucose is tightly controlled by hormones, especially insulin produced by the pancreas. In diabetes insulin is either less effective or not produced in sufficient quantity. As a result, the glucose level has greater variation with elevated levels typically observed in individuals with diabetes compared to individuals without diabetes. The excess glucose binds onto proteins including the most abundant protein in the red blood cells, hemoglobin. The combination is known as hemoglobin A1c and results are reported as percent of the hemoglobin that has bound glucose.

Hemoglobin A1c has as its key advantage that it reflects the average control for the previous several months, known as long-term control. In contrast, glucose levels reflect short-term control, influenced by diet, activity, and the daily cycle of our lives. Both tests are important because they provide different information essential to provide good diabetes control.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that individuals with diabetes be tested at least twice each year for those in good control and quarterly if those whose diabetes is not well controlled or whose therapy changes

Average Estimated Glucose (aEG)
An easier way to interpret the hemoglobin A1c result is recommended by the ADA. Hemoglobin A1c is translated into the equivalent level of glucose observed over a large population. The Average Estimated Glucose (aEG) uses the same units of measurement as glucose (mg/dL). Thus, only one system of measurement need be understood. Discrepancies between fasting glucose and aEG are important clues as to how well people with diabetes are managing their disease.

Further, the average glucose level shown on a person’s home glucose meter may differ from aEG because people with diabetes are more likely to test more often when their blood glucose levels are low, i.e, first thing in the morning and before meals. Thus, the average of the readings on their meter is likely to be lower than their aEG, which represents an average of their glucose levels 24 hours a day, including post-meal periods of higher blood glucose when people are less likely to test.

Heart Tests

Cholesterol
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
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
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
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

Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio
This calculation is obtained by dividing the total cholesterol level by the HDL cholesterol level. The higher the number, the greater the risk of coronary heart disease

Liver Tests

Total Protein
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

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

Globulin
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
The 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
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
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

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

Direct 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

GGT
GGT is produced in highest concentration within bile ducts in the liver and can be used as an indicator of liver disease.

Whole Body Tests

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly performed tests because it is one of the most informative.
CBC testing examines and reports on the status of your bodies Red and White blood cells and includes several indicators for various disease and disorders including anemia and infections.
What results mean:
The CBC has three main elements: 1) red blood cells (RBC, erythrocytes), 2) white blood cells (WBCs, leukocytes), and 3) platelets. 1) RBCs carry oxygen to cells throughout the body. Too few RBCs, called anemia, is caused by deficiency of iron, vitamin B12, folate, blood loss, and other conditions. Anemia may cause fatigue and other serious problems. Excessive RBCs can clump together and cause problems too. The principle RBC measures are hematocrit, hemoglobin, and RBC count. Three indices of RBCs (RDW, MCV, MCHC, and MCH) provide insights into causes of anemia. 2) WBC protect the body against infection by helping to destroy infections by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other microorganism invaders. Infections and leukemias can cause significant elevations in the number of WBCs. The WBC differential categories different types of WBCs that play different roles. For example, neutrophils are commonly increased with bacterial infections, lymphocytes are commonly increased with viral infections, and eosinophils increased with parasitic infections. 3) The platelets are involved with blood clotting. Too few leads to bleeding and too many can lead to blood clots. The CBC is monitored closely during pregnancy.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D 25OH LC/MS/MS (or is it Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy) Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is made by the body after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Vitamin D can also be obtained by taking supplements and from eating certain foods. Vitamin D helps maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorous. It aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also modulates neuromuscular, immune and other cellular functions. Vitamin D tests generally assess the total volume of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), which is the form of Vitamin D circulating in the blood. Vitamin D tests may also provide information on the levels of Vitamin D2 and D3, which comprise total Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is also associated with rates of bone fractures, muscle strength, cancer, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.