#1 ordered test - year after year!

Over 50 individual tests to provide a thorough biochemical assessment of your health, and includes:

Lipid panel (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, risk ratio, triglycerides)
Complete Blood Count (WBC, RBC, platelets, MCV, Differential & more),
Fluids & Electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, CO2)
Thyroid Panel (T4, T3Uptake, Free Thyroxine Index - T7, TSH)
Liver Panel (ALT, AST, LDH, Bilirubin, GGT, Alk Phos)
Protein Status (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin)
Kidney Panel (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Cr Ratio, eGFR)
Metabolism (Uric Acid)
Glucose (Diabetes test)
Mineral and Bone (Ca, PO4)
Iron

(*fasting recommended)

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Chemistries:
Glucose
Bun
Creatinine
Bun/Creatinine Ratio
Sodium
Potasium
Chloride
Calcium
Phosphorus
Protein
Albumin
Globulin
Albumin/Globulin Ratio
Bilirubin, Total
Alkaline Phosphatase
LDH
AST (SGOT)
ALT (SGPT)
GGT
Iron

Lipids:
Cholesterol, Total
HDL
VLDL
LDL
Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
Triglycerides

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Designed to compliment the online assessment, this profile will help further customize your custom micronutrient profile.

Includes:

Fibrinogen-
Fibrinogen is a coagulation factor, a protein that is essential for blood clot formation. It is produced by the liver and released into the circulation as needed along with over 20 other clotting factors. Normally, when a body tissue or blood vessel wall is injured a process called the coagulation cascade activates these factors one after the other. As the cascade nears completion, soluble fibrinogen (fibrinogen dissolved in fluid) is changed into insoluble fibrin threads. These threads crosslink together to form a fibrin net and then stabilize at the injury site. The net adheres there, along with aggregated cell fragments called platelets, to form a stable blood clot. This barrier prevents additional blood loss and remains in place until the area has healed.

Fibrinogen is one of several factors that are called acute phase reactants, which means that fibrinogen levels rise sharply with conditions causing acute tissue inflammation or trauma.
CRP,hs-
A high or increasing amount of CRP in your blood suggests that you have an acute infection or inflammation. Because CRP increases in cases of inflammation, the test is ordered when acute inflammation is a risk (such as from an infection after surgery) or suspected based on patient symptoms. It is also ordered to help diagnose conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The laboratory tests may be repeated often to learn whether treatment of an inflammatory disease is effective (CRP levels drop as inflammation subsides). C-Reactive protein is a substance in the blood that indicates the presence of inflammation and could warn of a heart attack in advance. Elevated amounts of the protein in men may triple their risk for heart attack and double their risk for stroke, whereas elevated amounts in women can increase their heart attack risk up to seven times. Cardio (also specific or high sensitivity) C-Reactive Protein is a marker of inflammation to the blood vessels and a strong predictor of risk for future myocardial infarctions. Cardiovascular tests ordered vary based on patient symptoms as well as family history.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)-
This non-fasting test, also known as A1c, HbA1c, Glycohemoglobin, or Glycated hemoglobin, indicates how well you have controlled your diabetes over the last few months. Even though you may have some very high or very low blood glucose values, Hemoglobin A1C will give you a picture of the average amount of glucose in your blood over that time period. The result can help you and your doctor know if the measures you are taking to control your diabetes are successful. Hemoglobin A1C is not a substitute for daily, routine blood glucose diabetes testing.
Homocysteine-
The amino acid, Homocysteine, plays a role in destroying the lining of your artery walls, promoting the formation of blood clots, and also accelerates the buildup of scar tissue. High levels may increase the chance of heart disease and stroke, especially if you have other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, or family history.
Lipid Panel-
This test is your basic Cardio check up, and should be monitored regularly if you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication
Cholesterol
HDL (good) Cholesterol
LDL (bad) Cholesterol
VLDL
Risk Ratio (good to total)
Triglycerides

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Prostate specific antigen (PSA), is a protein made only in the prostate gland. PSA is produced by normal, abnormal and cancerous prostate tissue. Some of it leaks into the blood and the PSA blood test is an accurate measure of this amount.

In general prostates that are inflamed or contain cancer produce more of the protein than normal prostate tissue. Therefore, PSA is now used for assisting in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer. A non-cancerous, abnormally enlarged prostate (called Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy or BPH) can also produce elevations of PSA. BPH is called benign to distinguish it from cancer, not to imply that it isn't troublesome.

PSA can also be elevated following a digital exam or during an infection. PSA level needs to be considered in light of several factors including age, race, the presence of BPH or infection, and overall medical condition.

The higher the number the more likely cancer is present. Below 1 is generally considered to indicate that cancer is unlikely. Between 1-4 whether to worry depends on personal "style" of the physician and the other factors listed above. Above 10 is very suggestive of cancer, but nothing is absolute.

Occasionally, normal PSA values can be found in men with biopsy-proven prostate cancer. In those cases, the other well-known protein of prostatic origin, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), may be monitored.

Some people have proposed that the rate of increase in PSA can be monitored to help distinguish BPH from prostate cancer. The theory is that cancer grows faster than BPH and thus the PSA will rise faster as well. Certainly a 2-point rise in PSA in a six-month period should attract attention at any age.

Free PSA is also a helpful marker, with the % Free PSA most reassuring that cancer is not present when it is >25%.

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This valuable package, valued at almost $600, is structured with a focus on the disorders that affect men. The Comprehensive Wellness Profile includes lipids, blood chemistries, CBC, PSA, hs-CRP inflammation marker and much more.

It includes:

Lipid panel (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, risk ratio, triglycerides)
Complete Blood Count (WBC, RBC, platelets, MCV, Differential & more),
Fluids & Electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, CO2)
Thyroid Panel (T4, T3Uptake, Free Thyroxine Index - T7, TSH)
Liver Panel (ALT, AST, LDH, Bilirubin, GGT, Alk Phos)
Protein Status (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin)
Kidney Panel (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Cr Ratio, eGFR)
Metabolism (Uric Acid)
Glucose (Diabetes test)
Mineral and Bone (Ca, PO4)
Iron
Complete Urinalysis
Cardio C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)inflammation & cardiac risk marker
PSA (Prostate Cancer tumor marker)

(fasting recommended)

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This valuable package, valued at almost $600, is structured with a focus on the disorders that affect women. The Comprehensive Wellness Profile includes lipids, blood chemistries, CBC, Diabetes screening, and much more.

It includes:

Lipid panel (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, risk ratio, triglycerides)
Complete Blood Count (WBC, RBC, platelets, MCV, Differential & more),
Fluids & Electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, CO2)
Thyroid Panel (T4, T3Uptake, Free Thyroxine Index - T7, TSH)
Liver Panel (ALT, AST, LDH, Bilirubin, GGT, Alk Phos)
Protein Status (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin)
Kidney Panel (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Cr Ratio, eGFR)
Metabolism (Uric Acid)
Glucose (Diabetes test)
Mineral and Bone (Ca, PO4)
Iron
Complete Urinalysis
Estrodiol (Major Female hormone)

(fasting recommended)

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The thyroid gland makes, stores and releases thyroid hormones. The hormones secreted are the iodine containing amino acids, Thyroxine (T4) and Trilodothyronine (T3).

The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced in the pituitary gland and serves to stimulate the production of thyroid hormones. The TSH helps identify an overactive or underactive thyroid state.

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are fatigue, weight gain, depression, dry skin and muscle cramps. Symptoms of overactive thyroid are fatigue, weight loss, anxiety, heart palpitations and rapid pulse.

Thyroid hormones influence a large diversity of metabolic processes.

Includes:
TSH
Total Thyroxine
T3 Uptake
Free Thyroxine Index (FTI) or T7

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The VAP Test (Vertical Lipoprotein Analysis) is basically a better cholesterol test.

Like routine cholesterol tests, the VAP Test measures total cholesterol, HDL ("good" cholesterol), LDL ("bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides. But the VAP Test also measures cholesterol subclasses that play important roles in the development of heart disease.

Additional reported information includes the qualitative assessment of LDL particle size, HDL subfractions (HDL2-C and HDL3-C), and VLDL subfractions (VLDL 1+2-C, VLDL3-C, and IDL-C).

The VAP™ cholesterol test is in compliance with current NCEP ATP III recommendations, and the additional information provided (beyond conventional lipoprotein profiles) relates to emerging risk factors and the metabolic syndrome as recognized in the report.

(fasting 8 hours recommended)

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The Hemoglobin A1c test evaluates the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months.

It does this by measuring the concentration of glycosylated (or sugar-coated) hemoglobin. As glucose (sugar) circulates in the blood, some of it spontaneously binds to hemoglobin A (the primary form of hemoglobin in adults). Hemoglobin is a red protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells (RBCs)). Once the glucose is bound to the hemoglobin A, it remains there for the life of the red blood cell (about 120 days).

The more glucose that is in the blood, the more that binds to hemoglobin A. This combination of glucose and hemoglobin A is called A1c (or hemoglobin A1c or glycohemoglobin). A1c levels do not change quickly but will shift as older RBCs die and younger ones take their place

(fasting 8 hours recommended)

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This test determines your "blood type".

There are 3 major blood 'Types": Type A, Type B, Type AB, and Type O. These blood types determine primarily who may donate blood to whom. They may also assist in understanding certain food allergies and food categories to avoid.

The ABO typing process has two steps: Initially, your blood is mixed with anti-A serum (serum that contains antibodies against type A blood), then with anti-B serum (serum that contains antibodies against type B blood). A determination of the blood type is based on whether or not the blood clots in the presence of these serums. The second step involves placing your serum (the liquid portion of the blood without the cells) with blood that is known to be type A and type B (AB). With the results of these two tests, your blood type can be determined accurately.

Rh typing is similar to ABO typing. Here, your blood is mixed with serum containing anti-Rh antibodies and then observed. If agglutination occurs, then you have Rh-positive blood. If no reaction occurs, then the blood is Rh-negative.

Blood type knowledge can be personally useful when you are considering giving blood. While blood donations of all kinds are always welcome, sometimes blood banks have a shortage of a specific blood type. Knowing your blood type, you'll be able to respond to these important appeals.

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The ANA test identifies the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in blood. Sometimes the immune system malfunctions and produces substances that attack your body's own cells and tissues instead of foreign substances. These substances, called autoantibodies, are produced by the body's immune system – the body's defense system against invasion by foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. When this happens, the resulting disease is termed an autoimmune disease (autoimmunity means immunity to self). The presence of ANA is a marker of an autoimmune process and is associated with several autoimmune diseases but is most commonly seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

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Anemia occurs when the amount of hemoglobin (found in the red blood cells) drops below normal. Hemoglobin is necessary for the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Blood tests may show a normal or low hemoglobin, decreased iron, ferritin, and all red blood cell indices. The total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) or transferrin will be increased. The ferritin test is considered to be the most specific for identifying iron deficiency anemia. Includes:
CBC
Iron w/ TIBC
Ferritin
Transferrin
CMP
Hemoglobin A1C

(*fasting recommended)

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Anti-aging medicine is a medical specialty founded on the application of advanced scientific and medical technologies for the early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of age-related diseases. Research into methods to retard and optimize the human aging process is designed to prolong the human life span. Anti-aging medicine is based on the scientific principles of responsible medical care consistent with those of other healthcare specialties. Six tests for anti-aging include:
Comprehensive Wellness Profile- chemistry profile with 50 results including: glucose, kidney & liver profiles, CBC's, metabolic panel, lipid profile, thyroid w/TSH and electrolytes
Estradiol - one of the three hormones
IGF1 Somatomedin-C (SC) is produced in the liver in response to stimulation by growth hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. This insulin-like growth factor level is used to evaluate disturbances of growth and to monitor treatment with growth hormones.
Testosterone,Total and Free is a hormone that causes male characteristics. The blood level is used by men to investigate abnormal sexual development and sexual dysfunction. Small amounts are produced in women's ovaries and levels are tested to evaluate virilization.
DHEA, SULFATE Hormone produced in adrenal gland that causes the formation of male features and used to monitor treatment with drugs that reduce DHEA.
Progesterone (for women)Blood levels are used in infertility evaluations to confirm the presence of ovulation and to monitor the effectiveness of medication-induced ovulation. Interpretation of a single progesterone level must take into account the phase of menstrual cycle or the duration of pregnancy.
PSA (for men) The prostate specific antigen (PSA), is a protein made only in the prostate gland. PSA is produced by normal, abnormal and cancerous prostatic tissue.

(Tests priced individually on DLS = over $500; all-year price = $336

(*fasting required)

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Arthritis is typified by inflammatory process(es). This panel includes:
C-Reactive Protein
Rheumatoid Factor
ANA
Uric Acid
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver and secreted into the bloodstream, increasing when inflammation is present. CRP has been used for many years as an indicator of bacterial or viral infection and as a monitor of changes in inflammation associated with many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Some studies have shown that CRP also can be an indicator of risk of cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy people. However, the level of CRP in the blood is normally so low that an especially sensitive test is needed to measure it. This test is called high-sensitivity CRP or hs-CRP.
The ANA test identifies the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in blood. Sometimes the immune system malfunctions and produces substances that attack your body's own cells and tissues instead of foreign substances. These substances, called autoantibodies, are produced by the body's immune system – the body's defense system against invasion by foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. When this happens, the resulting disease is termed an autoimmune disease (autoimmunity means immunity to self). The presence of ANA is a marker of an autoimmune process and is associated with several autoimmune diseases but is most commonly seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Rheumatoid Factor is an autoantibody, an IgM (immunoglobulin M) protein that is produced by the body’s immune system. Autoantibodies usually attack the patient’s own tissues, mistakenly identifying them as “foreign.” While the role of RF is not well understood, it is not thought to directly cause joint damage but to promote the body's inflammation reaction, which in turn contributes to autoimmune tissue destruction. The RF test is sensitive but nonspecific. It is most closely associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but may also be present in a variety of other autoimmune disorders, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, in some persistent bacterial and viral infections, and it can be found in a small percentage of healthy people.
Uric acid is produced by the breakdown of purines. Purines are chemicals that come from nucleic acids (DNA). They enter the circulation from digestion of foods or from normal breakdown and turnover of cells in the body. Most uric acid is removed by the kidneys and disposed of in the urine; the remainder is excreted in the feces.
If too much uric acid is produced or not enough is excreted, it can accumulate. The presence of excess uric acid can cause the condition called gout – an inflammation that occurs in joints when crystals derived from uric acid form in the joint fluid.

The most common reasons for accumulation of uric acid are an inherited tendency to overproduce uric acid or impaired kidney function that results in decreased ability to excrete uric acid.

(*fasting recommended)

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CA-125 is a protein often found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells and in some normal tissues. It is one of the protein antigens that have been associated with the presence of various cancers but is most often positive for ovarian cancer. CA-125 levels may also be high in other types of non-cancerous conditions, including menstruation, pregnancy, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.

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Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) is a normal product of breast cells; it is produced by a gene that is often overexpressed (i.e., the body makes too many copies) in cancerous breast tumors, leading to an increased production of CA 15-3 and the related Cancer antigen 27.29. CA 15-3 does not cause cancer; rather, it is a protein that is shed by the tumor cells, making it useful as a tumor marker to follow the course of the cancer.

CA 15-3 is elevated in about 30% of women with localized breast cancer and in about 75% of those with metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other organs). CA 15-3 also may be elevated in healthy people and in individuals with other cancers, conditions, or diseases, such as colorectal cancer, lung cancer, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and benign breast disease.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.

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The CO2 test measures the total amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, mostly in the form of bicarbonate (HCO3-). Bicarbonate is a negatively charged electrolyte that is excreted and reabsorbed by the kidneys. It is used by the body to help maintain the body’s acid-base balance (pH) and secondarily to work with sodium, potassium, and chloride to maintain electrical neutrality at the cellular level. Since the CO2 test measures all three forms of carbon dioxide in the blood (bicarbonate, H2CO3 [also known as carbonic acid], and dissolved CO2) as a total CO2, it will give a rough estimate but not an exact determination of the bicarbonate concentration.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is drawn by needle from a vein in the arm.

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C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver and secreted into the bloodstream, increasing when inflammation is present. CRP has been used for many years as an indicator of bacterial or viral infection and as a monitor of changes in inflammation associated with many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Some studies have shown that CRP also can be an indicator of risk of cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy people. However, the level of CRP in the blood is normally so low that an especially sensitive test is needed to measure it. This test is called high-sensitivity CRP or hs-CRP.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is drawn by needle from a vein in the arm.

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Great baseline test! An overall view of your health. Included: the Lipid profile and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel; for details, click here:
Lipid Profile
Glucose (Diabetes)
Electrolytes
Kidney Panel
Liver Profile

(*fasting recommended)

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CEA is a protein that is normally not able to be detected in the blood of a healthy person. When the protein appears in the blood of an adult, it can indicate cancer, but it will not indicate which kind of cancer is present. CEA is often used to monitor patients with cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can also indicate benign conditions.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm.

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The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a frequently ordered group of 14 tests that gives important information about the current status of your kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as of your blood sugar and blood proteins. Abnormal results, and especially combinations of abnormal results, can indicate a problem that needs to be addressed.
Glucose (Diabetes)
Kidney (Renal)
Liver panel (Hepatic)
Electrolytes

(*fasting recommended)

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Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands (small organs on top of each kidney). Production and secretion of cortisol is stimulated by ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), a hormone produced by the pituitary gland – a tiny organ located inside the head below the brain. Cortisol has a range of roles in the body. It helps break down protein, glucose, and lipids, maintain blood pressure, and regulate the immune system. Heat, cold, infection, trauma, stress, exercise, obesity, and debilitating disease can influence cortisol concentrations. The hormone is secreted in a daily pattern, rising in the early morning, peaking around 8 a.m., and declining in the evening. This pattern, which is sometimes called the “diurnal variation” or “circadian rhythm,” changes if you work irregular shifts (such as the night shift) and sleep at different times of the day.
Inadequate amounts of cortisol can cause nonspecific symptoms such as weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and abdominal pain. Sometimes decreased production combined with a stressor can cause an adrenal crisis that requires immediate medical attention.

Too much cortisol can cause increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, fragile skin, purple streaks on the abdomen, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis. Women may have irregular menstrual periods and increased facial hair; children may have delayed development and a short stature.

How is the sample collected for testing?
Typically, blood will be drawn from a vein in the arm, but sometimes urine or saliva may be tested. Cortisol blood tests may be drawn at about 8 am, when cortisol should be at its peak, and again at about 4 pm, when the level should have dropped. Sometimes a resting sample will be obtained late in the evening to look at cortisol when it should be at its lowest concentration in the blood (about midnight). Obtaining more than one sample allows the doctor to evaluate the daily pattern of cortisol secretion (the diurnal variation). This pattern may be disrupted with excess cortisol production – the maximum amount may be at or near normal concentrations, but levels may not fall as they should throughout the day. A single morning sample may be sufficient to detect decreased concentrations of cortisol.
Sometimes urine is tested for cortisol; this usually requires collecting all the urine produced during a day and night (a 24-hour urine), but sometimes may be done on a single sample of urine collected in the morning. A 24-hour urine sample may be ordered to measure the amount of free (not protein bound) cortisol. This sample will show the total amount of unbound cortisol secreted in the urine but it will not allow doctors to evaluate variations in cortisol secretion.

Cortisol testing of saliva can be performed. Although the sampling is less stressful than a blood draw, it requires special care and the test is not yet widely available. Saliva testing is a snapshot of the cortisol present at the time it is collected.

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This test measures the amount of creatinine in your blood and/or urine. Creatinine is a waste product produced in your muscles from the breakdown of a compound called creatine. Creatine is part of the cycle that produces energy needed to contract your muscles and it as well as creatinine are produced at a relatively constant rate. Almost all creatinine is excreted by the kidneys, so blood levels are a good measure of how well your kidneys are working. The quantity produced depends on the size of the person and their muscle mass. For this reason, creatinine concentrations will be slightly higher in men than in women and children.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm. You may be asked to collect a complete 24-hour urine sample in addition to having your blood drawn. Your doctor or the laboratory will give you a large container and instructions for properly collecting this sample. Typically, you start collecting urine after you wake up in the morning and empty your bladder and save all of the urine produced until the same time the following day.

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Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a sex hormone (androgen) created in men and to a lesser extent, women. It has a role to play in developing male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty and it can be metabolized by the body into more potent androgens, such as: testosterone and androstenedione, or changed into the female hormone estrogen. DHEAS is produced primarily in the adrenal cortex - the outer portion of the adrenal gland - with much smaller amounts coming from the woman's ovaries and man's testes. DHEAS secretion is controlled by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and other pituitary factors.
Since DHEAS is primarily produced by the adrenal glands, it is useful as a marker for adrenal function. Adrenal tumors, cancers, and hyperplasia (excess growth of hormone producing tissue) can lead to the overproduction of DHEAS. While elevated levels may not be noticed in adult men, they can lead to amenorrhea and visible symptoms of virilization (development of physical masculine characteristics) in women. These changes vary in severity and may include: a deeper voice, hirsutism - excess hair growth on face or body, male pattern baldness, muscularity, and acne. Excess levels of DHEAS in children can cause precocious puberty in boys; and ambiguous external genitalia, excess body hair, and abnormal menstrual periods in girls.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm. As an alternative, particularly in pediatric care, the blood sample is drawn from the fingertip. This is often called a "fingerstick".

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Estrogen is a group of hormones primarily responsible for the development of female sex organs and secondary sex characteristics. While estrogen is one of the major female sex hormones, small amounts are found in males. In women, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH; produced by the pituitary gland) stimulates cells (follicles) surrounding the eggs in the ovaries, causing them to produce estrogen. When the estrogen levels reach a certain level, the pituitary produces a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which eventually causes the release of the egg, beginning the preparation for fertilization.

There are three main estrogen fractions: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3).

Estrone (E1) is the major estrogen after menopause. It is derived from metabolites from the adrenal gland and is often made in adipose tissue (fat).
Estradiol (E2) is produced in women mainly in the ovary. In men, the testes and adrenal glands are the principal source of estradiol. In women, normal levels of estradiol provide for proper ovulation, conception, and pregnancy, in addition to promoting healthy bone structure and regulating cholesterol levels.
Estriol (E3) is the major estrogen in pregnancy, with relatively large amounts produced in the placenta (from precursors produced by the fetal adrenal glands and liver). Estriol levels start to rise in the eighth week of pregnancy and continue to rise until shortly before delivery. Serum estriol circulating in maternal blood is quickly cleared out of the body. Each measurement of estriol is a snapshot of what is happening with the placenta and fetus, but there is also natural daily variation in the estriol level.

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Ferritin is a protein inside of cells that stores iron for later use by your body. The small amount of ferritin that is released into blood reflects the total amount of storage iron. Iron is also stored as hemosiderin, a complex of iron, proteins, and other materials. Ferritin and hemosiderin are present primarily in the liver but also in the bone marrow, spleen, and skeletal muscles. In healthy people, most iron is stored as ferritin (an estimated 70% in men and 80% in women) and smaller amounts are stored as hemosiderin.
When iron begins to disappear from your system, iron stores are depleted before iron deficiency develops.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is drawn by needle from a vein in your arm.

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These tests measure the concentration of folate and vitamin B12 in the serum (liquid portion of the blood). The amount of folate inside the red blood cell (RBC) may also be measured -- it will normally be at a higher concentration inside the cell than in the serum.
B12 and folate are both part of the B complex of vitamins and come from food. Folate is found in leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, dry beans and peas, liver, and yeast; while B12 is found in animal products such as red meat, fish, poultry, milk, and eggs. Fortified cereals, breads, and other grain products are now also important dietary sources of both B12 and folate (identified as “folic acid” on nutritional labels), especially for those vegetarians who do not consume any animal products.

Both B12 and folate are necessary for normal RBC formation, tissue and cellular repair, and DNA synthesis. B12 is also important for nerve health, while folate is necessary for cell division such as is seen in a fetus during pregnancy. A deficiency in either B12 or folate can lead to a form of anemia characterized by the production of fewer, but larger, RBCs (called macrocytes). A deficiency in B12 can also result in varying degrees of neuropathy, nerve damage that can cause tingling and numbness in the patient’s hands and feet. A deficiency in folate can cause neural tube defects such as spina bifida in a growing fetus.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.

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Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is made by the pituitary gland in the brain. Control of FSH production is a complex system involving hormones produced by the gonads (ovaries or testes), the pituitary, and the hypothalamus.

In women, FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles (eggs) during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. This cycle is divided into two phases, the follicular and the luteal, by a mid-cycle surge of FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH). Ovulation occurs shortly after this mid-cycle surge of hormones. During the follicular phase, FSH initiates the production of estradiol by the follicle, and the two hormones work together in the further development of the egg follicle. During the luteal phase, FSH stimulates the production of progesterone. Both estradiol and progesterone help the pituitary control the amount of FSH produced. FSH also facilitates the ability of the ovary to respond to LH. At the time of menopause, the ovaries stop functioning and FSH levels rise.

In men, FSH stimulates the testes to produce mature sperm and also promotes the production of androgen binding proteins. FSH levels are relatively constant in males after puberty.

In infants and children, FSH levels rise shortly after birth and then fall to very low levels (by 6 months in boys and 1-2 years in girls). At about 6-8 years, levels again rise before the beginning of puberty and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is drawn by needle from a vein in the arm. Sometimes, a random urine sample is collected. A 24-hour collection of urine may be requested if your doctor wants to measure FSH levels produced over a 24-hour period. FSH is released intermittently throughout the day and a 24-hour urine collection eliminates problems due to that variation; a random sample might not show the actual activity of the hormone.

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The Complete Blood Count (CBC) test is an automated count of the cells in the blood. It provides information about the white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), and platelet populations present. This information includes the number, type, size, shape, and some of the physical characteristics of the cells. In only a minute or two, the hematology instrument (the machine that is used to run the test) can measure thousands of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets and compare them against established normal ranges. Any abnormalities found are noted, and the clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) running the instrument then uses his or her expertise and experience to accept the automated findings and/or to target the sample for further analysis.
In most cases, the automated CBC is very accurate and the test is complete at this point. If, however, there are significant abnormalities in one or more of the cell populations, a blood smear test may be performed. In this test, a drop of blood is placed on a slide, smeared into a thin layer, allowed to dry, and then dyed with a special stain. A CLS then looks at the slide under the microscope and is able evaluate the cells present. Any additional information is added to that found by the automated count, and all of the findings are reported to the doctor.

Blood consists of cells suspended in a liquid called plasma. These cells - the RBCs, WBCs, and platelets - are produced and mature primarily in the bone marrow. Under normal circumstances, they are released into the bloodstream as needed.

White Blood Cells (WBCs)
There are five different types of WBCs that the body uses to fight infections or other causes of injury. These types - neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes - are present in relatively stable percentages that may temporarily shift higher or lower depending on what is going on in the body. For instance, with an infection, there may be a higher concentration of neutrophils (a “shift to the left”). With allergies, there may be an increased number of eosinophils, and with leukemia, there may be a much higher percentage of a single type of cell, such as a lymphocyte. In this case, the cell may be present in large numbers, in a mature form and in a variety of immature forms. The CBC determines whether there are sufficient WBCs present to fight infection, notes when there are more than expected, and determines the percentages and numbers of each type.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
RBCs are reddish in color and shaped like a donut with a thinner section in the middle instead of a hole. They have hemoglobin inside them, a protein that transports oxygen throughout the body. The CBC determines whether there are sufficient RBCs present and whether the population of RBCs appears to be normal. RBCs are normally all the same size and shape; however, variations can occur with vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, iron deficiency, and with a variety of other conditions. If there are insufficient normal RBCs present, the patient is said to have anemia and may have symptoms, such as fatigue and weakness. Much less frequently, there may be too many RBCs in the blood (erythrocytosis or polycythemia). In extreme cases, this can interfere with the flow of blood through the veins and arteries.

Platelets
Platelets are special cell fragments that play an important role in blood clotting. If a patient does not have enough platelets, he will be at an increased risk of excessive bleeding and bruising. The CBC measures the number and size of platelets present. With some conditions and in some people, there may be giant platelets or platelet clumps that are difficult for the hematology instrument to accurately measure. In this case, a blood smear test may be necessary.

How is the sample collected for testing?
The CBC is performed on a blood sample taken by a needle placed in a vein in the arm or by a fingerstick (for children and adults) or heelstick (for infants).
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a frequently ordered group of 14 tests that gives important information about the current status of your kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as of your blood sugar and blood proteins. Abnormal results, and especially combinations of abnormal results, can indicate a problem that needs to be addressed.
Glucose (Diabetes)
Kidney (Renal)
Liver panel (Hepatic)
Electrolytes

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These tests are looking for evidence of an infection by a bacterium, known as Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is now known to be a major cause of peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori is also associated with the development of gastric cancer.

How is the sample collected for testing?
What is collected depends on the test your doctor orders. It may be as simple as submitting a stool sample to look for the H. pylori antigen or a blood sample from your vein to detect antibody to the bacteria.

A more invasive test will require a procedure called an endoscopy, which means putting a tube down the throat into the stomach to take a small piece of tissue (a biopsy) from the stomach lining. A biopsy can be used to detect other reasons for stomach pain, as well as be tested in the laboratory for H. pylori. H. pylori produces urease, a special enzyme that allows it to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach. The lab can detect the presence of this bacterium by looking for this enzyme in the tissue sample. The tissue may also be examined under a microscope by a pathologist, who will look for these bacteria or any other signs of disease that may explain your symptoms.

Sometimes a breath test can be used instead of a biopsy. You will be asked to drink a special liquid containing a harmless radioactive material. If H. pylori is present in your GI tract, the material will be broken down into radio-labeled carbon dioxide gas. By testing the expelled air collected from your breath sample, the laboratory can determine if this organism is in your body.

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To confirm pregnancy or to diagnose trophoblastic disease or germ cell tumors

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In non-pregnant women, hCG levels are normally undetectable. During early pregnancy, the hCG level in the blood doubles every two to three days. Ectopic pregnancies usually have a longer doubling time. hCG is also used to monitor treatment in patients with trophoblastic disease and to detect recurrent disease after treatment is complete. During therapy, a falling hCG level generally indicates that the cancer is responding to treatment, while rising levels may indicate that the cancer is not responding to therapy. Increased hCG levels after treatment may indicate a recurrence of disease.

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Hepatitis is a liver disease. There are two kinds of hepatitis – those caused by viruses and those caused by chemicals or drugs. The liver performs many functions in the body, including processing the body’s nutrients, manufacturing bile to help digest fats, and breaking down potentially toxic (harmful) substances into harmless ones that the body can use or excrete. When the liver is damaged, these functions are impaired to some extent and the potentially toxic substances accumulate. The hepatitis virus reaches the liver through the blood stream, multiplies in the liver cells, and is released into the bloodstream, the bile duct, and feces; in this way, it can be spread to other people. This blood test includes:

Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM
Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Hepatitis C Antibody

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No description is available at this time.

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This test determines the level of homocysteine in the blood or urine. Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is normally present in very small amounts in all cells of the body. Homocysteine is a product of methionine metabolism. Methionine is one of the eleven “essential” amino acids - amino acids that must be derived from the diet since the body cannot produce them. In healthy cells, homocysteine is quickly converted to other products.
Vitamins B6, B12, and folate are necessary to metabolize homocysteine. Patients who are deficient in these vitamins may have increased levels of homocysteine.

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. Increased concentrations of homocysteine have been associated with an increased tendency to form inappropriate blood clots. When this happens it can lead to heart attack, strokes, and blood vessel blockages in any part of the body.

Homocysteine can be greatly increased in the blood and urine of patients with a rare inherited condition called homocystinuria. This disorder is caused by an alteration in one of several different genes. The affected person has a dysfunctional enzyme that does not allow the normal breakdown of methionine. Because of this, homocysteine and methionine begin to build up in the person’s body. A baby with this condition will appear normal at birth but within a few years will begin to develop signs such as a dislocated lens in the eye, a long slender build, long thin fingers, skeletal abnormalities, osteoporosis, and a greatly increased risk of thromboembolism (inappropriate clotting in their arteries and veins), and of atherosclerosis (fatty plaques) that can lead to premature cardiovascular disease. The buildup may also cause progressive mental retardation, behavioral disorders, and seizures.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm; sometimes a urine sample is also collected. Your doctor may want you to fast for 10 to 12 hours (no food, nothing but water) prior to this test.

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The serum iron test measures the amount of iron in serum, the liquid portion of blood. Iron is an essential trace element. It is necessary for the production of healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body, and some enzymes, which perform tasks in your body.
The amount of iron in a person's blood varies throughout the day. Serum iron is almost always measured with the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), from which the transferrin saturation is calculated. The transferrin saturation is a more reliable measure of iron deficiency and iron overload than measuring iron by itself.

Transferrin is the plasma protein that binds to iron and transports it through the circulation. TIBC measures the total amount of iron that transferrin can bind. While the two tests are different and are reported in different units (g/L for transferrin and umol/L for TIBC), they measure essentially the same thing.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is drawn by needle from a vein in your arm.

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The major functions of the kidney are 1) elimination of metabolic waste, 2) regulation of the internal fluid environment and 3) production of hormones. Any of these functions may be used to assess the renal status. The routine biochemical assessment of kidney function includes determination of serum levels of the waste products, urea, creatinine and uric acids.

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This test is your basic Cardio check up, and should be monitored regularly if you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication
Cholesterol
HDL (good) Cholesterol
LDL (bad) Cholesterol
VLDL
Risk Ratio (good to total)
Triglycerides

(*fasting recommended)

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This test is your basic Cardio check up plus glucose, and should be monitored regularly if you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication
Cholesterol
HDL (good) Cholesterol
LDL (bad) Cholesterol
VLDL
Risk Ratio (good to total)
Triglycerides
Glucose

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More than 500 of the liver's functions have been identified. Some of its major functions are producing bile by liver cells; processing glucose, proteins, vitamins, fats, and most of the other compounds used by the body; producing hemoglobin for vital use of its iron content in red blood cells; and converting poisonous ammonia to urea. The liver cells also render harmless numerous substances, such as alcohol, nicotine, and other poisons, as well as various harmful substances produced by the intestine. The liver contains cells called hepatocytes, which produce many different proteins. Some of these are enzymes and others are transport proteins. The activity of several enzymes, the concentrations of several proteins and substances synthesized or stored by the liver are used to estimate the status of the liver. The biochemical assessment also evaluates the integrity of hepatocyte organelles and membranes, the ability of the liver to manufacture or convert various compounds and the ability to secrete bile.

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Luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Control of LH production is a complex system involving hormones produced by the gonads (ovaries or testes), the pituitary, and the hypothalamus.

Women’s menstrual cycles are divided into 2 phases, the follicular and luteal, by a mid-cycle surge of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH. The high level of LH (and FSH) at mid-cycle triggers ovulation. LH also stimulates the ovaries to produce steroids, primarily estradiol. Estradiol and other steroids help the pituitary to regulate the production of LH. At the time of menopause, the ovaries stop functioning and LH levels rise.

In men, LH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone. LH levels are relatively constant in men after puberty. Testosterone provides negative feedback to the pituitary and the hypothalamus, helping to regulate the amount of LH secreted.

In infants and children, LH levels rise shortly after birth and then fall to very low levels (by 6 months in boys and 1-2 years in girls). At about 6-8 years, levels again rise before the beginning of puberty and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm. Sometimes, a random urine sample is used. A 24-hour collection of urine may be requested if your doctor wants to measure LH levels produced over a 24-hour period. LH is released intermittently throughout the day and a 24-hour urine collection eliminates problems due to that variation. A random sample might not show the actual activity of the hormone.

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This test measures the amount of magnesium in your blood. Normally, only a very small amount (about 1%) of total body magnesium is present in the blood.

Magnesium is a mineral that is found in every cell of your body. It is vital to energy production, muscle contraction, nerve function, and maintenance of strong bones. About half of the body’s magnesium is combined with calcium and phosphorus to form bone.

A wide variety of foods contain small amounts of magnesium, especially green vegetables such as spinach, and most magnesium in the body comes from dietary sources. The body maintains magnesium levels in its blood, cells, and bone by regulating how much it absorbs from the intestines and by how much it excretes or conserves in the kidneys.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.

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This valuable package, valued at over $500, is structured with a focus on the disorders that affect men. The Comprehensive Wellness Profileô includes lipids, blood chemistries, CBC's, and much more.
Comprehensive Wellness Profile
Complete Urinalysis
Cardio C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
PSA
(fasting recommended)

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Detects the breakdown of type I collagen found in bone. A high N-Telopeptide score denotes active bone loss.

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This package gives you a biochemically individualized road map to achieving optimal wellness. The core is an extensive laboratory work-up that includes the Comprehensive Wellness Profile™ with over 50 blood tests, a 40-test Amino Acid panel, and an Organic Acid Analysis. Those results are then extensively interpreted relative to each other using the latest scientific research and presented in a report which is advanced yet easy to read. Graphic representations and detailed nutritional recommendations allows you to fully understand what to do based upon the results of the lab work. The package includes:
Comprehensive Wellness Profile
Organic Acid Analysis
CellMate Foundational Profile Report
40-Amino Acids

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This test measures the level of progesterone in the blood. Progesterone is a steroid hormone whose main role is to help prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy; it works in conjunction with several other female hormones.

On a monthly basis, the hormone estrogen causes the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) to grow and replenish itself, while a surge in lutenizing hormone (LH) leads to the release of an egg from one of two ovaries. A corpus luteum (small yellow cellular mass) then forms in the ovary at the site where the egg was released and begins to produce progesterone. This progesterone (supplemented by small amounts produced by the adrenal glands) stops endometrial growth and readies the uterus for the possible implantation of a fertilized egg.

If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone levels drop, and menstrual bleeding begins. If a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone. After several weeks, the placenta replaces the corpus luteum as the main source of progesterone, creating relatively large amounts of the hormone throughout the rest of a normal pregnancy.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.

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This test measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. It was developed as a tumor marker to screen for and to monitor prostate cancer. It is a good tool, but not a perfect one. Elevated levels of PSA are associated with prostate cancer, but they may also be seen with prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Mild to moderately increased concentrations of PSA may be seen in those of African American heritage, and levels tend to increase in all men as they age.
PSA is a protein produced primarily by cells in the prostate, a small gland that encircles the urethra in males and produces a fluid that makes up part of semen. Most of the PSA that the prostate produces is released into this fluid, but small amounts of it are also released into the bloodstream. PSA exists in two forms in the blood: free (not bound) and complexed (bound to a protein). The most frequently measured PSA test is the total PSA, which measures the sum of the free PSA and the cPSA (PSA complexed with other plasma proteins). When a doctor orders a “PSA test,” he is referring to a total PSA.

Free PSA and cPSA tests can also be ordered individually. The tests that measure them were developed to better differentiate between cancer-related and non-cancer-related PSA increases. Both of the tests operate on the principle that patients with prostate cancer frequently have altered ratios of the two forms of PSA - decreased amounts of free PSA and increased amounts of cPSA.

PSA is not diagnostic of cancer. The gold standard for identifying prostate cancer is still the prostate biopsy, collecting small samples of prostate tissue and identifying abnormal cells under the microscope. The total PSA test and digital rectal exam (DRE) are used together to help determine the need for a prostate biopsy. The goal of testing is to minimize unnecessary biopsies and to detect clinically significant prostate cancer while it is still confined to the prostate. The term clinically significant is important because while prostate cancer becomes relatively common in men as they age, many of the cases are very slow-growing. Doctors must try to both detect prostate cancer and to differentiate between slow-growing cases and prostate cancers that may grow aggressively and metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Over-diagnosing and over-treatment are issues with which doctors are currently grappling. In some cases, the treatment can be worse than the cancer, with the potential for causing significant side effects, such as impotence and incontinence. The PSA test and DRE can detect most cases of prostate cancer, but they cannot, in general, predict the course of a patient’s disease.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm. The sample should be collected prior to the physician performing a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prior to (or several weeks after) a prostate biopsy.

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This test measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. It was developed as a tumor marker to screen for and to monitor prostate cancer. It is a good tool, but not a perfect one. Elevated levels of PSA are associated with prostate cancer, but they may also be seen with prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Mild to moderately increased concentrations of PSA may be seen in those of African American heritage, and levels tend to increase in all men as they age.
PSA is a protein produced primarily by cells in the prostate, a small gland that encircles the urethra in males and produces a fluid that makes up part of semen. Most of the PSA that the prostate produces is released into this fluid, but small amounts of it are also released into the bloodstream. PSA exists in two forms in the blood: free (not bound) and complexed (bound to a protein). The most frequently measured PSA test is the total PSA, which measures the sum of the free PSA and the cPSA (PSA complexed with other plasma proteins). When a doctor orders a “PSA test,” he is referring to a total PSA.

Free PSA and cPSA tests can also be ordered individually. The tests that measure them were developed to better differentiate between cancer-related and non-cancer-related PSA increases. Both of the tests operate on the principle that patients with prostate cancer frequently have altered ratios of the two forms of PSA - decreased amounts of free PSA and increased amounts of cPSA.

PSA is not diagnostic of cancer. The gold standard for identifying prostate cancer is still the prostate biopsy, collecting small samples of prostate tissue and identifying abnormal cells under the microscope. The total PSA test and digital rectal exam (DRE) are used together to help determine the need for a prostate biopsy. The goal of testing is to minimize unnecessary biopsies and to detect clinically significant prostate cancer while it is still confined to the prostate. The term clinically significant is important because while prostate cancer becomes relatively common in men as they age, many of the cases are very slow-growing. Doctors must try to both detect prostate cancer and to differentiate between slow-growing cases and prostate cancers that may grow aggressively and metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Over-diagnosing and over-treatment are issues with which doctors are currently grappling. In some cases, the treatment can be worse than the cancer, with the potential for causing significant side effects, such as impotence and incontinence. The PSA test and DRE can detect most cases of prostate cancer, but they cannot, in general, predict the course of a patient’s disease.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm. The sample should be collected prior to the physician performing a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prior to (or several weeks after) a prostate biopsy.

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No description is available at this time.

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This test detects and measures rheumatoid factor (RF) in the blood. RF is an autoantibody, an IgM (immunoglobulin M) protein that is produced by the body’s immune system. Autoantibodies usually attack the patient’s own tissues, mistakenly identifying them as “foreign.” While the role of RF is not well understood, it is not thought to directly cause joint damage but to promote the body's inflammation reaction, which in turn contributes to autoimmune tissue destruction. The RF test is sensitive but nonspecific. It is most closely associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but may also be present in a variety of other autoimmune disorders, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, in some persistent bacterial and viral infections, and it can be found in a small percentage of healthy people.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is collected from a vein in your arm.

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ESR is an indirect measure of the degree of inflammation present in the body. It actually measures the rate of fall (sedimentation) of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in a tall, thin tube of blood. Results are reported as how many millimeters of clear plasma are present at the top of the column after one hour. Normally, red cells fall slowly, leaving little clear plasma. Increased blood levels of certain proteins (such as fibrinogen or immunoglobulins, which are increased in inflammation) cause the red blood cells to fall more rapidly, increasing the ESR.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm.

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The Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) test measures the concentration of SHBG in the blood. SHBG is a protein that is produced by the liver. It binds tightly to testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol (an estrogen) and transports them in the blood in a metabolically inactive form. The amount of SHBG in circulation is affected by age and sex, by decreased or increased testosterone or estrogen production, and can be affected by certain diseases and conditions such as liver disease, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, and obesity.
Changes in SHBG concentrations can in turn affect the amount of testosterone that is available to be used by the body’s tissues. Normally, about 40% to 60% of testosterone is bound to SHBG, and most of the rest is weakly and reversibly bound to albumin (another protein). Only about 2% is immediately available to the tissues as free testosterone.

A total testosterone does not distinguish between bound and unbound testosterone; it determines the overall quantity of testosterone. In many cases, this is sufficient to evaluate excessive or deficient testosterone production; but, if a patient’s SHBG level is not normal, then the total testosterone may not be an accurate representation of the amount of testosterone that is available to a patient’s tissues.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.

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Testosterone is a steroid hormone (androgen) made by the testes in males. Its production is stimulated and controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH), which is manufactured in the pituitary gland. In males, testosterone stimulates development of secondary sex characteristics, including enlargement of the penis, growth of body hair and muscle, and a deepening voice. It is present in large amounts in males during puberty and in adult males to regulate the sex drive and maintain muscle mass. Testosterone is also produced by the adrenal glands in both males and females and, in small amounts, by the ovaries in females. In women, testosterone is converted to estradiol, the main sex hormone in females.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm.

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The main use of the thyroglobulin test is as a tumor marker to determine the effectiveness of thyroid cancer treatment and to monitor for recurrence. Since thyroglobulin normally is made only in the thyroid, it should drop to very low or undetectable levels in patients who have had their thyroid completely removed as part of thyroid cancer treatment. There are several types of thyroid cancer; only the most common types (papillary and follicular thyroid cancer) that arise from the follicle cells can make thyroglobulin. Thyroglobulin testing also is used at times to help determine the cause of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid antibody testing is also ordered to help diagnose an autoimmune thyroid disease and to separate it from other forms of thyroiditis. It may be ordered to help investigate the cause of an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) and/or performed as a follow-up when other thyroid test results (such as T3, T4, and/or TSH) show signs of thyroid dysfunction. One or more thyroid antibody tests may also be ordered if a person with a known non-thyroid-related autoimmune condition, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or pernicious anemia, develops symptoms that suggest thyroid involvement. This involvement may occur at any time during the course of the other condition(s).

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Today, most doctors prefer the thyroid stimulating hormone. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are fatigue, weight gain, depression, dry skin and muscle cramps. An overactive thyroid are fatigue, weight loss, anxiety, heart palpitatins and rapid pulse. Critical to your metabolism, thyroid function affects your energy level, heart rate, weight control, plus more. The thyroid-stimulating hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and serves to stimulate the production of thyroid hormones. The TSH helps identify an overactive or underachieve thyroid state. This comprehensive evaluation of your thyroid hormone levels includes:
T-3 Uptake
T4
T7
TSH

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Transferrin is the plasma protein that binds to iron and transports it through the circulation. TIBC measures the total amount of iron that transferrin can bind. While the two tests are different and are reported in different units (g/L for transferrin and umol/L for TIBC), they measure essentially the same thing.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is drawn by needle from a vein in your arm.

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Uric acid is produced by the breakdown of purines. Purines are chemicals that come from nucleic acids (DNA). They enter the circulation from digestion of foods or from normal breakdown and turnover of cells in the body. Most uric acid is removed by the kidneys and disposed of in the urine; the remainder is excreted in the feces.
If too much uric acid is produced or not enough is excreted, it can accumulate. The presence of excess uric acid can cause the condition called gout – an inflammation that occurs in joints when crystals derived from uric acid form in the joint fluid.

The most common reasons for accumulation of uric acid are an inherited tendency to overproduce uric acid or impaired kidney function that results in decreased ability to excrete uric acid.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm.

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A urinalysis is a group of tests that detect and semi-quantitatively measure various compounds that are eliminated in the urine, including the byproducts of normal and abnormal metabolism as well as cells, including bacteria, and cellular fragments. Urine is produced by the kidneys, located on either side of the spine at the bottom of the ribcage. The kidneys filter wastes and metabolic byproducts out of the blood, help regulate the amount of water in the body, and conserve proteins, electrolytes, and other compounds that the body can reuse. Anything that is not needed is excreted in the urine and travels from the kidneys to the bladder, through the urethra, and out of the body. Urine is generally yellow and relatively clear, but every time someone urinates, the color, quantity, concentration, and content of the urine will be slightly different because of varying constituents.
Many disorders can be diagnosed in their early stages by detecting abnormalities in the urine. These include increased concentrations of constituents that are not usually found in significant quantities in the urine, such as: glucose, protein, bilirubin, red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, and bacteria. They may be present because there are elevated concentrations of the substance in the blood and the body is trying to decrease blood levels by “dumping” them in the urine, because kidney disease has made the kidneys less effective at filtering, or in the case of bacteria, due to an infection.

A complete urinalysis consists of three distinct testing phases:

physical examination, which evaluates the urine's color, clarity, and concentration;
chemical examination, which tests chemically for 9 substances that provide valuable information about health and disease; and
microscopic examination, which identifies and counts the type of cells, casts, crystals, and other components (bacteria, mucous ) that can be present in urine.
Usually, a routine urinalysis consists of the physical and the chemical examinations. These two phases can be completed in just a few minutes in the laboratory or doctor’s office. A microscopic examination is then performed if there is an abnormal finding on the physical or chemical examination, or if the doctor specifically orders it.

How is the sample collected for testing?
Urine for a urinalysis can be collected at any time. The first morning sample is the most valuable because it is more concentrated and more likely to yield abnormal results. Because of the potential to contaminate urine with bacteria and cells from the surrounding skin during collection (particularly in women), it is important to first clean the genitalia. Women should spread the labia of the vagina and clean from front to back; men should wipe the tip of the penis. As you start to urinate, let some urine fall into the toilet, then collect one to two ounces of urine in the container provided, then void the rest into the toilet. This type of collection is called a midstream collection or a clean catch.

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The VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) Test, developed by Atherotech, is 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. The VAP Test is a better cholesterol test. Like routine tests, the VAP Test measures total cholesterol, HDL ("good" cholesterol), LDL ("bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides. But the VAP Test also measures cholesterol subclasses that play important roles in the development of heart disease. This additional information allows your doctor to improve the detection of heart disease risk from about 40 percent to 90 percent, and provides a foundation for patient-specific treatment plans.
Homocysteine - Homocysteine is a substance produced as the body digests protein. Although the body requires normal levels of homocysteine to build and maintain tissues, excess levels can be associated with heart disease and stroke and may contribute to arterial wall injury. Arteries damaged by this process are more likely to narrow or close completely due to infiltration of cholesterol during atherosclerosis. Therefore, homocysteine is an excellent marker for the status of a patient's vascular fitness.
HsCRP - High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HsCRP) has been recognized for its ability to predict future coronary events in apparently healthy individuals. Recent data have shown that the predictive value of HsCRP is significantly higher than that associated with traditional or novel biochemical risk markers. HsCRP is an excellent marker for assessing the risk of a heart attack because acute inflammation increases the potential for plaque rupture.
CWP - Comprehensive Wellness Profile includes CBC's, Lipids, Kidney, Liver, Glucose, Electrolytes, Comprehensive Metabolic panel, Thyroid profile w/TSH - over 50 tests results for analysis of all major organs.

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The VAP Test is a better cholesterol test. Like routine tests, the VAP Test measures total cholesterol, HDL ("good" cholesterol), LDL ("bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides. But the VAP Test also measures cholesterol subclasses that play important roles in the development of heart disease. This additional information allows your doctor to improve the detection of heart disease risk from about 40 percent to 90 percent, and provides a foundation for patient-specific treatment plans.

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This valuable package is structured with a focus on the chronic conditions affecting women and limiting activity, in addition to the Cardio heart risk panel, chemistries, CBC's and much more.
Comprehensive Wellness Profile
Thyroid Panel with TSH
Complete Urinalysis
CA-125
(fasting recommended)

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The CBC is used as a broad screening test to check for such disorders as anemia (decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin), infection, and many other diseases. It is actually a panel of tests that examine different parts of the blood. Results from the blood test provide the broadest picture of your health. Includes Differentials and platelets.

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The VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) Test, developed by Atherotech, is 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. The VAP Test is a better cholesterol test. Like routine tests, the VAP Test measures total cholesterol, HDL ("good" cholesterol), LDL ("bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides. But the VAP Test also measures cholesterol subclasses that play important roles in the development of heart disease. This additional information allows your doctor to improve the detection of heart disease risk from about 40 percent to 90 percent, and provides a foundation for patient-specific treatment plans.
Homocysteine - Homocysteine is a substance produced as the body digests protein. Although the body requires normal levels of homocysteine to build and maintain tissues, excess levels can be associated with heart disease and stroke and may contribute to arterial wall injury. Arteries damaged by this process are more likely to narrow or close completely due to infiltration of cholesterol during atherosclerosis. Therefore, homocysteine is an excellent marker for the status of a patient's vascular fitness.
HsCRP - High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HsCRP) has been recognized for its ability to predict future coronary events in apparently healthy individuals. Recent data have shown that the predictive value of HsCRP is significantly higher than that associated with traditional or novel biochemical risk markers. HsCRP is an excellent marker for assessing the risk of a heart attack because acute inflammation increases the potential for plaque rupture.
CWP - Comprehensive Wellness Profile includes CBC's, Lipids, Kidney, Liver, Glucose, Electrolytes, Comprehensive Metabolic panel, Thyroid profile w/TSH - over 50 tests results for analysis of all major organs.

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The A1c test evaluates the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months. It does this by measuring the concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin. As glucose circulates in the blood, some of it spontaneously binds to hemoglobin A (the primary form of hemoglobin in adults). Hemoglobin is a red protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells (RBCs)). Once the glucose is bound to the hemoglobin A, it remains there for the life of the red blood cell (about 120 days). The more glucose that is in the blood, the more that binds to hemoglobin A. This combination of glucose and hemoglobin A is called A1c (or hemoglobin A1c or glycohemoglobin). A1c levels do not change quickly but will shift as older RBCs die and younger ones take their place.

How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm or a drop of blood is taken from your finger by pricking it with a small, pointed lancet.

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One can measure intercellular magnesium (in the serum), and find out how much Mg or any other vitamin/mineral is in circulation. This does not necessarily correlate with how much is in the actual cell/tissue. When measuring Mg in the RBC, you are measuring intracellular Mg, how much is in the cell and functioning.

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Over 30 different forms of estrogen have been described and are referred to as Estrogen fractions. The most common forms tested are estrone [E1], estradiol [E2], and estriol [E3]). Individually priced (Estradiol $79, Estriol $59, and Estrone $79) you save additional 25% with package.

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A screening for evidence of cancer in the bloodstream.

Men's Panel:
CEA, CA 19-9, CA 125, CA 72-4, PSA + FPSA, AFP, BHCG, B2M, NSE, CYFRA 21-1

Also included with the above panels is the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (a complementary test for blood draw).

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To help diagnose the cause of anemia or neuropathy (nerve damage), to evaluate nutritional status in some patients, to monitor effectiveness of treatment for B12 or folate deficiency. B12 and folate are primarily ordered to help diagnose the cause of macrocytic anemia. They are ordered as follow-up tests when large RBCs and a decreased hemoglobin concentration are found during a CBC test. Folate, B12, and an assortment of other tests may be ordered to help evaluate the general health and nutritional status of a patient with signs of significant malnutrition or malabsorption. This may include those with alcoholism and those with disorders associated with malabsorption such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and cystic fibrosis. B12 and folate may also be ordered to help diagnose the cause of mental or behavioral changes, especially in the elderly.

See: Folic Acid test

Order both for only $98.

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West Nile virus (WNV) is an infection that is transmitted to humans primarily by mosquitoes. It is not usually transmitted person-to-person, but there have been cases of WNV being passed on to others through blood donations, organ transplants, and rarely from a mother to child through breast milk. About 80% of people infected with WNV experience no symptoms. In the other 20%, it causes relatively mild flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, and muscular weakness that resolve without treatment after a few days to a few weeks. Only 1 in 150 people infected with WNV becomes seriously ill with an infection that affects the central nervous system. These patients may have encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and/or may experience muscular paralysis.

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Vitamin D tests are used to determine if bone weakness, bone malformation, or abnormal metabolism of calcium (reflected by abnormal calcium, phosphorus or PTH tests) is occurring as a result of a deficiency or excess of vitamin D. Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is absorbed from the intestine like a fat, vitamin D tests are sometimes used to monitor individuals with diseases that interfere with fat absorption, such as cystic fibrosis and Crohn?s disease, to assure that they have adequate amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D tests also are used to determine effectiveness of treatment when vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and/or magnesium supplementation is prescribed.

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Either calcidiol or calcitriol tests may be ordered when a patient has an abnormal blood calcium, phosphorus, and/or magnesium level or evidence of bone disorders.
If calcium is low or the patient has symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, such as bone malformation in children (rickets) and bone weakness, softness, or fracture in adults (osteomalacia), the calcidiol test usually is ordered to identify a possible deficiency in vitamin D.

If calcium is high or the patient has a disease that might produce excess amounts of calcitriol, such as sarcoidosis or some forms of lymphoma, the calcitriol test usually is ordered.

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Includes:
CWP
Testosterone Total & Free
Estradiol, Estriol, Estrone
IGF-1
Prolactin
Insulin
Progesterone
DHEA-S
Cortisol
PSA

(Individually priced on DirectAccessLabs = $817) * Fasting Required

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Includes:
CWP
Testosterone Total & Free
Estradiol, Estriol, Estrone
IGF-1
Prolactin
Insulin
Progesterone
DHEA-S
Cortisol

(Individually priced on DirectAccessLabs = $773) * Fasting Required

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Lipid Panel (Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Risk Ratio, VLDL, Triglycerides)
CBC (White Blood Cells, Red Blood Cells, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platlets)
HgbA1C (Diabetes Screening)
PSA (Prostate Cancer tumor marker)

(fasting recommended)

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Lipid Panel (Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Risk Ratio, VLDL, Triglycerides)
CBC (White Blood Cells, Red Blood Cells, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platlets)
HgbA1C (Diabetes Screening)
CEA (Colorectal Cancer tumor marker)

(fasting recommended)

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Lipid Panel (Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Risk Ratio, VLDL, Triglycerides)
CBC (White Blood Cells, Red Blood Cells, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platlets)
HgbA1C (Diabetes Screening)
CA 15-3 (Breast Cancer tumor marker)

(fasting recommended)

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This is a $1 product for testing the membership fees.

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Testing Direct Labs Code

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A screening for evidence of cancer in the bloodstream.

Women's Panel:
CEA, CA 15-3, CA 19-9, CA 125, CA 72-4, AFP, BHCG, B2M, NSE, CYFRA 21-1

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Anti-aging medicine is a medical specialty founded on the application of advanced scientific and medical technologies for the early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of age-related diseases. Research into methods to retard and optimize the human aging process is designed to prolong the human life span. Anti-aging medicine is based on the scientific principles of responsible medical care consistent with those of other healthcare specialties. Six tests for anti-aging include:
Comprehensive Wellness Profile- chemistry profile with 50 results including: glucose, kidney & liver profiles, CBC's, metabolic panel, lipid profile, thyroid w/TSH and electrolytes
Estradiol - one of the three hormones
IGF1 Somatomedin-C (SC) is produced in the liver in response to stimulation by growth hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. This insulin-like growth factor level is used to evaluate disturbances of growth and to monitor treatment with growth hormones.
Testosterone,Total and Free is a hormone that causes male characteristics. The blood level is used by men to investigate abnormal sexual development and sexual dysfunction. Small amounts are produced in women's ovaries and levels are tested to evaluate virilization.
DHEA, SULFATE Hormone produced in adrenal gland that causes the formation of male features and used to monitor treatment with drugs that reduce DHEA.
Progesterone (for women)Blood levels are used in infertility evaluations to confirm the presence of ovulation and to monitor the effectiveness of medication-induced ovulation. Interpretation of a single progesterone level must take into account the phase of menstrual cycle or the duration of pregnancy.
PSA (for men) The prostate specific antigen (PSA), is a protein made only in the prostate gland. PSA is produced by normal, abnormal and cancerous prostatic tissue.

(Tests priced individually on DLS = over $500; all-year price = $336

(*fasting required)

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Free T3 - Evaluate thyroid function and assess abnormal binding protein disorders
T4, Free - Free T4 may be indicated when binding globulin (TBG) problems are perceived, or when conventional test results seem inconsistent with clinical observations. It is normal in subjects with high thyroxine-binding globulin hormone binding who are euthyroid (i.e., free thyroxin should be normal in nonthyroidal diseases). It should be normal in familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia.
TSH Highly Sensitive

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Thyroid panel, plus Special Thyroid Panel (Free T's), TSH, and Reverse T3
Includes the two panels above plus the Reverse T3:

T-3 Uptake
T4
T7
TSH
Free T3
T4, Free
Reverse T3

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The Proactive Heart Panel is an excellent choice for individuals seeking to examine a broad range of biomarkers which contribute to heart disease. Markers for inflammation, average glucose levels, platelet stickiness, oxidatative stress, lipids, metabolic function, liver function, immune function, and kidney function are part of this panel.

It includes:

CBC (Complete Blood Count)
Electrolytes
Kidney Function
Liver Function Tests
Iron
TSH
Homocysteine
Fibrinogen
Glycohemoglobin (HGB A1C)
Cardiac-CRP
Lipid panel (Chol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides)
vitamin D 25-OH

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Aid in the diagnosis of acute or chronic infection with the Lyme Disease
agent.

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Glutathione is a highly important anti-oxidant, free-radical scavenger, and energy production promoter in the body. It can be depleted by many types of chronic stressors, environmental exposures, infections, and diseases.

Due to the highly specialized nature of testing glutathione, the blood samples can only be drawn from Monday to Wednesday.

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Glutathione is a highly important anti-oxidant, free-radical scavenger, and energy production promoter in the body. It can be depleted by many types of chronic stressors, environmental exposures, infections, and diseases.

hs-CRP is a Highly Sensitive C-Reactive Protein and is a marker of body-wide inflammation. As inflammation is often associated with Glutathione depletion measuring both markers together is common.

Due to the highly specialized nature of testing glutathione, the blood samples can only be drawn from Monday to Wednesday.

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Glutathione is a highly important anti-oxidant, free-radical scavenger, and energy production promoter in the body. It can be depleted by many types of chronic stressors, environmental exposures, infections, and diseases.

hs-CRP is a Highly Sensitive C-Reactive Protein and is a marker of body-wide inflammation. As inflammation is often associated with Glutathione depletion measuring both markers together is common.

In addition you get over 50 individual tests to provide a thorough biochemical assessment of your health, which includes:

Lipid panel (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, risk ratio, triglycerides)
Complete Blood Count (WBC, RBC, platelets, MCV, Differential & more),
Fluids & Electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, CO2)
Thyroid Panel (T4, T3Uptake, Free Thyroxine Index - T7, TSH)
Liver Panel (ALT, AST, LDH, Bilirubin, GGT, Alk Phos)
Protein Status (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin)
Kidney Panel (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Cr Ratio, eGFR)
Metabolism (Uric Acid)
Glucose (Diabetes test)
Mineral and Bone (Ca, PO4)
Iron

(*fasting recommended)

Due to the highly specialized nature of testing glutathione, the blood samples can only be drawn from Monday to Wednesday.

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Glutathione (GSH) is a small protein produced naturally in our cells if the requisite precursors are present. It functions both as an antioxidant and an antitoxin and is a major defense system against illness and aging. Our glutathione level actually indicates our state of health and can predict longevity. It has been suggested that in the future, GSH levels will be closely monitored. There are over 70,000 medical articles currently published on GSH, yet most health professionals have only a vague idea of its significance. In the near future, the importance of glutathione will be widely recognized.

The Max Glutathione Plus Panel Has been designed to evaluate this highly important molecular protector and several other markers of aging which may be affected by sub-optimal glutathione levels.

The panel includes:

Reduced Glutathione (GSH)
Highly Sensitive CRP (hsCRP - also known as "cardiac" CRP)
DHEA (a marker of aging)
IGF-1 (a marker of aging and Growth Hormone activity)
TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha - cellular inflammation)
Lipid panel (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, risk ratio, triglycerides)
Complete Blood Count (WBC, RBC, platelets, MCV, Differential & more),
Fluids & Electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, CO2)
Thyroid Panel (T4, T3Uptake, Free Thyroxine Index - T7, TSH)
Liver Panel (ALT, AST, LDH, Bilirubin, GGT, Alk Phos)
Protein Status (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin)
Kidney Panel (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Cr Ratio, eGFR)
Metabolism (Uric Acid)
Glucose (Diabetes test)
Mineral and Bone (Ca, PO4)
Iron

(*fasting recommended)

Due to the highly specialized nature of testing glutathione, the blood samples can only be drawn from Monday to Wednesday.

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The ALIVE panel includes over 40 individual tests to provide a very thorough biochemical assessment of your health. An initial baseline test - with a repeat of the test after wholesome diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes - will give tremendous insight to an individual on their health trend and what is needed to create health.

The Test Includes:

Sex Hormone Evaluation (Testosterone total and unbound), Estradiol, LH & FSH)
Metabolism & Diabetes (Glucose, Insulin, IGF-1, C-peptide, Fructosamine)
Muscle Balance (CPK)
Stress Hormone (cortisol)
Inflammation (hs-CRP)
Lipid panel (Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, risk ratio, Triglycerides)
Fluids & Electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, CO2)
Thyroid Panel (Free T4, Free T3, TSH)
Liver Status (ALT, AST, LDH, Bilirubin, GGT, Alk Phos)
Protein Status (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin)
Kidney Function (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Cr Ratio, eGFR)
Mineral and Bone (Ca, PO4)
Oxygen Transport (Iron)
DNA regulation (Vitamin D)

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