Basic Panel PLUS

This panel is all of your “basics” PLUS 3 more additional tests to get your a foundation of where your levels are at.  Iron and Ferritin should always be done together as ferritin is the storage for iron so doing both, gives us a clear understanding of how you are converting your iron. If your diet lacks iron, your body begins to use its iron storage, making your ferritin levels drop. Ferritin levels can increase when the body absorbs more iron than it needs. Testing these together will show an iron deficiency or an iron excess in which both scenarios can cause inflammation.

Measurement of serum 25-OH vitamin D concentrations provide a good index of circulating vitamin D activity in patients not suffering from renal disease. Lower than normal 25-OH vitamin D levels can result from a dietary deficiency, poor absorption of the vitamin or impaired metabolism of the sterol in the liver. A 25-OH vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone diseases such as rickets and osteomalacia. Above normal levels can lead to hypercalcemia and other issues. Optimal range of your Vitamin D should be between 60-80.

Measurement of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D test will evaluate certain kidney disorders. The kidneys convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D into the active 1,25 form. If kidney function is impaired, this conversion may be reduced, Investigates abnormal calcium or phosphate levels. Because 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D helps regulate calcium absorption, measuring it can help determine the cause of high or low calcium in some cases, Assess disorders involving the parathyroid glands, Abnormal Hyperparathyroidism or low parathyroid hormone levels can affect production of active vitamin D, helps diagnose certain rare diseases. Some conditions, such as Sarcoidosis, Tuberculosis, and some lymphomas, can produce excess active vitamin D outside the kidneys, leading to elevated calcium levels, evaluates certain inherited disorders.

CBC and CMP  together help to show us what your immune system is doing and general organ function. These tests strongly suggest a fasting blood sample (no food or drink, except for water, 10-12 hours before draw) however, fasting is mainly for your glucose so if you cannot fast, or don’t think glucose is an issue needing attention, you can still do the draw.

Complete Blood Count (CBC includes Differentials and Platelets) gives important information about the numbers and kinds of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC is used as a screening test for various disease states to include: anemia, leukemia and inflammatory processes and includes: WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelet count, Neutrophils (Absolute), Lymphs (Absolute), Monocytes(Absolute), Eosinophils (Absolute), Basophils (Absolute)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) – The test gives the current status of your blood sugar and blood proteins. Includes: Albumin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated), Alkaline Phosphatase, ALT, AST, BUN/Creatinine Ratio (calculated), Calcium, Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, Creatinine with GFR Estimated, Globulin (calculated), Glucose, Potassium, Sodium, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Urea Nitrogen.

This Basic Panel PLUS includes all of the above as well as the following labs that are NOT included in the Basic Panel:

1. High Sensitivity C- Reactive Protein – measures very small amounts of C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein your liver makes when there’s inflammation somewhere in your body. The “high-sensitivity” version is different from the standard CRP test because it can detect low levels of chronic inflammation, which may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The main reason is to help estimate risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in people who don’t already have known cardiovascular disease but may have intermediate risk.

2. Creatine Kinase (CK/CPK) –is an enzyme found primarily in your:

   • Skeletal muscles
   • Heart muscle
   • Brain

   It’s job is to help cells produce and use energy, especially during muscle activity. Normally, only a small amount of CK is present in the bloodstream. When muscle cells are damaged, they release CK into the blood, causing the level to rise. A CK test is mainly used to detect or monitor muscle damage and to help diagnose heart attacks.

3. Homocysteine – is an amino acid that your body produces as it breaks down another amino acid called methionine, which comes from protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Normally, homocysteine is quickly recycled into other useful substances. This recycling requires adequate amounts of:
   • Vitamin B12
   • Folate (vitamin B9)
   • Vitamin B6

   If these vitamins are low or the recycling process is impaired, homocysteine levels can rise.

   Homocysteine testing reasons include:

   • Evaluating vitamin deficiencies, especially B12 or folate deficiency.
   • Investigating early or unexplained blood clots, particularly in younger people.
   • Helping explain premature cardiovascular disease in some patients.
   • Assessing certain inherited metabolic disorders, although these are uncommon.
   • Occasionally, as part of an evaluation for cognitive decline, depending on the clinical situation.

   Elevated homocysteine has been associated with:

   • A higher risk of heart attack
   • Stroke
   • Blood clots
   • Damage to blood vessel lining (endothelium)