- CMP - Composite Metabolic Panel. The CMP is used as a broad screening tool to evaluate organ function and check for conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease. The CMP may also be ordered to monitor known conditions, such as hypertension, and to monitor patients taking specific medications for any kidney- or liver-related side effects. Included A/G Ratio; Albumin; Alanine Aminotransferase; Asparate Aminotransferase; Bilirubin Total; Calcium; Carbon Dioxide; Chloride; Urea Nitrogen (BUN); BUN/Creatinine Ratio; Creatinine; Globulin Calculated; Glucose; Phosphate; Potassium; Protein Total and Sodium.
- Albumin, Globulin and Total Protein – Measures the amount and type of protein in your blood. They are a useful index of overall health and nutrition. Abnormal results are an indicator of under nutrition, liver or kidney disease, cirrhosis, multiple meyloma, sarcoid, amyloid, lupus, and/or major infections. Globulin is the “antibody” protein important for fighting disease. If one of these values is high, but the other values are within expected ranges, the result is probably not significant- only a physician could confirm this.
- Bilirubin – Primary pigment in bile. It is derived from hemoglobin and processed by the liver, and builds up when the liver is functioning poorly or when some other disorder reduces the normal flow of bile. It is increased when there has been destruction of red blood cells.
- BUN – A waste product of the liver excreted by the kidneys. High values may indicate kidney malfunction and/or dehydration.
- Creatinine- This is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is discarded by the kidney. It is elevated in kidney disease, muscle wasting disease, and sometimes the day after strenuous physical exercise.
- Calcium – Screens for a range of conditions relating to the bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, and teeth. Blood calcium levels do not directly tell how much calcium is in the bones, but rather how much total calcium or ionized calcium is circulating in the blood.
- Carbon Dioxide - Part of the electrolyte pane used to detect, evaluate and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
- Sodium, Potassium and Chloride – “Electrolytes” help make up the “salt balance” and acid/base balance in the body. They can be affected by diuretics or “water pills”, high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney and lung disease. The balance among these elements is important for proper functioning of the heart and brain.
- CBC – Complete Blood Count - The CBC is used as a broad screening test to check for such disorders as anemia, infection, and many other diseases. It is actually a panel of tests that examines different parts of the blood and includes the following:
· White blood cell (WBC) count is a count of the actual number of white blood cells per volume of blood. Both increases and decreases can be significant.
· White blood cell differential looks at the types of white blood cells present. There are five different types of white blood cells, each with its own function in protecting us from infection. The differential classifies a person's white blood cells into each type: neutrophils (also known as segs, PMNs, grans), lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
· Red blood cell (RBC) count is a count of the actual number of red blood cells per volume of blood. Both increases and decreases can point to abnormal conditions.
· Hemoglobin measures the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.
· Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in a given volume of whole blood.
· The platelet count is the number of platelets in a given volume of blood. Both increases and decreases can point to abnormal conditions of excess bleeding or clotting. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a machine-calculated measurement of the average size of your platelets. New platelets are larger, and an increased MPV occurs when increased numbers of platelets are being produced. MPV gives your doctor information about platelet production in your bone marrow.
· Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a measurement of the average size of your RBCs. The MCV is elevated when your RBCs are larger than normal (macrocytic), for example in anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. When the MCV is decreased, your RBCs are smaller than normal (microcytic) as is seen in iron deficiency anemia or thalassemias.
· Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is a calculation of the average amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin inside a red blood cell. Macrocytic RBCs are large so tend to have a higher MCH, while microcytic red cells would have a lower value.
· Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a calculation of the average concentration of hemoglobin inside a red cell. Decreased MCHC values (hypochromia) are seen in conditions where the hemoglobin is abnormally diluted inside the red cells, such as in iron deficiency anemia and in thalassemia. Increased MCHC values (hyperchromia) are seen in conditions where the hemoglobin is abnormally concentrated inside the red cells, such as in burn patients and hereditary spherocytosis, a relatively rare congenital disorder.
· Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a calculation of the variation in the size of your RBCs. In some anemias, such as pernicious anemia, the amount of variation (anisocytosis) in RBC size (along with variation in shape – poikilocytosis) causes an increase in the RDW.
VAP – Vertical Auto Profile Test - an expanded cholesterol test that provides valuable information that can identify hidden heart disease risk. In fact, the VAP Test identifies twice as many people at risk than routine cholesterol tests, including those with inherited risk factors who often develop premature heart disease.
o Triglycerides - This blood fat is also involved in arteriosclerosis, diabetes, thyroid, liver and pancreatic disease. They may be elevated in the 200-400 range if you have eaten within 10 hours of the blood draw.
o HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol – This is the “good” fat-protein combination. The higher the value the lower the risk of developing heart disease. HDL can be increased with regular aerobic exercise, monounsaturated fats such as olive and canola oils, and cessation of smoking.
o LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol – This is the “bad” fat-protein combination, and the lower the LDL the better. The higher the LDL level is, the higher the risk of developing heart disease. This level can be decreased with reduction in fat intake, weight control, and regular exercise. Because this value is calculated using the triglyceride result, fasting can be important for an accurate LDL and triglyceride result.
o VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol – This is the “bad” triglyceride. Elevation represents a risk of heart disease and/or pancreatitis.
· Cholesterol - Cholesterol is different from most tests in that it is not used to diagnose or monitor a disease but is used to estimate risk of developing a disease — specifically heart disease. Because high blood cholesterol has been associated with hardening of the arteries, heart disease and a raised risk of death from heart attacks, cholesterol testing is considered a routine part of preventive health care.
· IGF – 1 – Insulin-like growth factor I am useful in evaluating growth-related disorders and is associated with growth factors in the body. IGF-1 concentrations will be low with malnutrition including anorexia nervosa and chronic kidney or liver disease. Thus, it is important to keep the reference range upon restoration of a healthy diet. IGF-1 testing with a Growth Hormone suppression test could also be used to detect a GH-producing pituitary tumor.
· T3 free – Free T3 can be used to diagnose and monitor hyperthyroidism. This test will help differentiate most cases of nonthyroidal illness from TSH-dependent hyperthyroidism. Increased or decreased thyroid hormone results can indicate that there is an imbalance between the body’s requirement and supply; however it can’t always explain the excess or deficiency. Thus, other tests may be ordered to help explain an abnormal T3 result.
· Iron & Total Iron Binding Capacity – Iron is required for hematopoiesis (the creation of blood cells) and other cellular functions. Deficiencies may be due to inadequate intake, poor absorption, or excessive loss. An important consequence of iron deficiency is microcytic anemia. Also, iron overload, hemosiderosis, or if there is organ impairment, hemochromatosis (genetically associated disease that can lead to iron overload), can lead to a wide variety of organ damage.
· Magnesium – Magnesium is a critical element with its highest concentration within cells. Nearly all of the body’s magnesium is stored in soft tissues and bone. There is a relationship among cations (positively charged molecules like potassium and calcium). Approximately 40% of patients with low concentrations of potassium also have low concentrations of magnesium. Likewise, more than 20% of patients with low calcium concentrations also have low magnesium concentrations. Increased magnesium concentrations are most common among patients with renal failure.
· PSA – Prostatic Specific Antigen – this test is used to give patients a useful prediction for the chances of developing prostate cancer. This can also be a useful tool to monitor the effectiveness of prostate cancer as well. Generally, it is seen that men with levels higher than 10.0 ng/ml could have an increased risk for prostate cancer.
· TSH w/ Reflex Free T4– Thyroid Stimulating Hormone – This test is used to identify hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. TSH is also useful to monitor thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Abnormal TSH levels should be followed by a Free T4 test, since Free T4 is more specific than TSH and serves to confirm thyroid dysfunction.
