Complete Blood Count (CBC)

WBC or White Blood Cells are the body's first line defense against disease, and help fight infections. They are involved in reactions to allergies, tumors, and stress in general.

RBC is medical shorthand for Red Blood Cells.
RBCs transport hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen. The amount of oxygen body tissues receive depends on the amount and function of RBCs and hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. It is contained in red blood cells. Both high and low hemoglobin counts indicate defects in the balance of red blood cells in the blood, and may indicate disease.

Lymphocytes are specialized WBCs that  identify and destroy invading antigens.
These cells are important to the body's defense against infection, especially from viral infection.

Neutrophils are specialized WBCs, filled with tiny sacs of enzymes that help to kill and digest microorganisms it has engulfed. An increased proportion of neutrophils in the blood are a common finding with acute bacterial infections. A decreased proportion of neutrophils may be seen with viral infections and after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Monocytes- are specialized WBCs derived from bone marrow, which circulate in the blood briefly before entering the tissues in which they become macrophages. Macrophages phagocytize (ingest) are large particles and cellular debris that neutrophils cannot handle.

Esosinophiles – are specialized WBCs and are elevated in allergic conditions and in parasitic infections.

MCH is medical shorthand for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin. This number represents a measurement of the average hemoglobin concentration within red blood cells. Elevations can be caused by too little vitamin B12 or folate, and decreases can be seen in iron deficiency.

MCHC is medical shorthand for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration. It is an estimate of the concentration (amount) of hemoglobin in a given number of packed red blood cells.

MCV is medical shorthand for Mean Corpuscular Volume. This number represents the size or volume of the average RBC within a sample. Increases or decreases in MCV can point to specific anemias.

Platelets are irregularly shaped, colorless bodies that are present in blood. Their sticky surface lets them, along with other substances, form clots to stop bleeding.

 
Complete Metabolic Profile (CMP)

 
Sodium (Na+) is the major positive mineral in the extra-cellular fluid. The sodium content of the blood is a result of a balance between dietary intake (Salt) and kidney excretion. Many factors affect sodium levels include steroid hormones and diuretics.

Potassium (K+) is the major positive mineral in the intra-cellular fluid. Potassium is essential for normal function of muscle tissue and plays a role in the conduction of nerve impulses.

Chloride (Cl-) is the major negative ion in the fluid outside the body's cells. Its main function is to maintain electrical neutrality, mostly as a counter-ion to sodium.

Calcium - Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Calcium is important for healthy bones and teeth, as well as nerves and muscles including the heart. The amount of calcium in blood is carefully controlled by the body's hormonal (glandular) system. The body also needs vitamin D to absorb calcium from food. Most calcium in the body is in bones.
The blood calcium test measures only the amount of calcium in blood. This test doesn't measure the amount of calcium in bones. A procedure similar to an x-ray, called a bone density test can measure the calcium in bones.

Glucose - or blood sugar and is a test for Diabetes.  Fasting blood glucose above 128 mg/dl is considered Diabetes

Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a by-product of protein metabolism. BUN is increased in acute and chronic kidney disease, in states of decreased circulating blood volume with decreased kidney perfusion, in obstruction of urine flow, and in people with high protein intake. Decreases are seen in high carbohydrate/low protein diets, states characterized by increased anabolic demand (late pregnancy, infancy), malabsorption states, and severe liver damage.

Creatinine (Cr) is a breakdown product of creatine, which is an important constituent of muscle. The test is used to evaluate kidney function. If kidney function is abnormal, creatinine levels will increase in the blood, due to decreased excretion of creatinine in the urine.

Albumin -is the most abundant protein in the body. It is produced in the liver. Decreased levels of albumin are an indication of malnutrition.

Total Protein - Protein measurements can reflect nutritional state, kidney disease, liver disease, and many other conditions. If total protein is high, further tests should be performed to identify which protein fraction is abnormal.

Alkaline phosphatase An enzyme made in the liver and bone. Alkaline phosphatase is released into the blood during injury and during such normal activities as bone growth and pregnancy. High blood levels may indicate disease in bone or liver, bile duct obstruction, or certain malignancies.

Alanine aminotransferase (also called ALT or SGPT) is an enzyme found primarily in the liver. Long-term or sudden liver damage can cause a rise in ALT levels.

Aspartate aminotransferase (also called AST or SGOT) is an enzyme that is normally present in liver and heart cells. AST is released into blood when the liver or heart is damaged. The blood AST levels are thus elevated with liver damage (for example, from hepatitis) or with an insult to the heart (for example, from heart attack). Some medications and alcohol can also raise AST levels.

Bilirubin, Total is the chemical that results from the normal breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells. High concentrations may indicate liver disease. Mild elevations may be benign inherited conditions of no consequences.

Lipid Panel

Cholesterol, Total is a fatty substance that travels in the blood to all parts of the body. Not only is it part of the cell membranes but it is also involved in the production of vitamin D, estrogen, testosterone, and bile acids to aid in the digestion of fats. Total cholesterol is a sum of HDL, LDL, and VLDL. Elevated total cholesterol is associated with an increasing risk of coronary heart disease.

HDL Cholesterol (High-density lipoprotein) HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because a high level of HDL cholesterol have a protective effect. HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is passed from the body. Therefore, low HDL cholesterol levels may result in a greater risk for heart disease. Low HDL could have genetic origins, or be the result of smoking and lack of exercise.

LDL Cholesterol (Low-density lipoprotein) is known as "bad cholesterol”, since it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain, and form plaque that can clog those arteries causing a heart attack, or a stroke. Elevated LDL cholesterol is a major factor in the development of heart disease. Thus, the lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol/HDL Ratio is calculated by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL.
Improvement in cholesterol/HDL ratio can be shown by lowering LDL cholesterol level, while raising HDL level. HDL levels can be raised significantly by exercising, not smoking and leanness. Exercising regularly may also lower LDL cholesterol.

Triglyceride is responsible for providing energy to the cells of the body. High levels are associated with heart disease and strokes. Calories ingested in a meal and not used immediately by these cells are converted to triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored. Hormones regulate the release of triglycerides from fat tissue so they meet the body's needs for energy between meals. Being overweight, drinking a lot of alcohol, eating sugar or having diabetes can cause high triglyceride levels. Most body fat comes in the form of triglyceride.

Arthritis Test

Sedimentation test (Sed. rate)– a measure of the amount of antibodies on red blood cells, an induction of nonspecific inflammation.

Rheumatoid Factor (RF)- is used to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The test may also be used to help diagnose an arthritis-related condition called Sjogren’s syndrome. About 80% to 90% of patients with this syndrome have high amounts of RF in their blood.

Antinuclear Antibody test (ANA) - To help diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus and drug-induced lupus and rule out certain other autoimmune diseases.

 Thyroid Test

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) – The hormone made in the Pituitary to stimulate the thyroid.  A high level indicated an under active thyroid.  A low level indicated an overactive thyroid.

Thyroxine (T₄) – The hormone produced by the thyroid gland

 Homocysteine

Homocysteine may be ordered as part of a cardiac risk assessment, depending on your age and other risk factors. It may also be ordered following a heart attack or stroke to help determine treatment.
What does the test result mean?
Recent studies have suggested that people who have elevated homocysteine levels have a much greater risk of heart attack or stroke than those with average levels. There also is increasing evidence that homocysteine should not exceed 10 umol/L. In many subjects, this can be improved by taking extra levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6, three B-complex vitamins that drive homocysteine metabolism