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Definition of Tests
 

  • CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Profile)-survey of many basic body chemistries, including blood sugar, kidney, liver
  • CBC (Complete blood count)-cheek health of blood, amount of red cells (carries 02) and possible infection-white cells, platelets
  • Coronary Risk Profik (Lipids)-cholesterol, HDL (good), LDL (bad) & triglycerides.
  • PSA (prostalic specific antigen)-test for prostate cancer.
  • Hypothyroid Profile-test for under-active thyroid gland-T3 uptake, T4, T7TSH(thyroid stimulating hormone
  • C4-125- test for ovarian cancer
  • Glucose-test for blood sugar
  • Hemoglobin A1C-best test possible for diabetes (blood sugar), tests for blood sugar 3 months prior to possible problem
  • Homocysteine - test for heart health, now recognized as good indicator of heart problems
  • C-Reactive Protein, hi sensitivity-helps predict heart disease in patients with no symptoms
  • Blood group & type-test type-A, B, AB, 0 - also positive or negative. This crucial for giving or receiving blood.

Several new tests arc being offered this year. Here is a brief explanation of some of those tests and our reasons for offering them.

High sensitivity CReactive Protein

The blood test is performed to detect the levels of this protein which is a marker for inflammation in the body. Inflammation is considered to have a significant role in the genesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. Measuring the levels of inflammatory markers is therefore considered a way to improve the prediction and hence prevention of Cardiovascular events, defined as death from coronary heart disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke, or the need for coronary-revascularization procedures, i.e., bypass procedures or angioplasty. A high CRP level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events even in patients with low LDL levels. Studies suggest that it is particularly useful in women in predicting risk.

The high sensitivity test can detect CRP levels as low as – 0.175 mg/L, whereas standard CRP assays cannot detect CRP levels < 3.0 mg/L.

Hepatitis C Screen

Hepatitis C is a viral inflammation of the liver that is considered pandemic, affecting more than 170 million people worldwide, and an estimated 2.7 million people in the USA. It is five (5) times as widespread as HIV infection and is largely undiagnosed in most of the people affected. Hepatitis C infection is associated with IV drug abuse and transfusions occurring before 1990. It causes a chronic disease that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer of the liver. It is the most common indication for liver transplant. Early detection can lead to preventive treatment and a lessening of complications and their effects.

S rum Iron and Trin S tSaturation levels

These two tests can help to determine the existence of Iron deficiency Anemia, but are primarily being offered to help in screening for Hemochromatosis, the most comrtfi genetic diseAse in whites, especially those of northern European origin. flemnebeematosis is a genetic malfunction in the absorption of iron from the intestines. If left untreated, it can lead to cirrInAls of the Liver, Diabetes Mellitus, increased skin piginentation,,heart failure and arthritis. It can be easily treated by simply phlebotomizing ( Removing blood) the affected person to reduce the iron load on the system. The disease was once thought to be rare, but the rate of occurrence can be as low as 1/250.

CA-125

This test is often described as a screen for Ovarian cancer. It is what is known as a tumor marker, and it is known to be elevated in 50% of ovarian cancers and in cancer of the lining of the abdomen. it can also be elevated in women with normal menses, endometriosis, pregnancy and fibroids. It can also be elevated in pancreatitis, appendicitis and cancers of the breast, lungs and colon. Used in concert with a pelvic examination and trans-vaginal ultrasound in women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer, or women in whom the index of suspicion for ovarian cancer is high, it can be a useful test It can have both false positives and false negatives, and should not be interpreted out of context. An elevated level can mean many things or nothing. A negative result does not rule out ovarian cancer.

PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTI EN(PSAIEXPLA ATION

WHAT IS PSA, AND HOW DO WE MEASURE IT?

PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen and is a blood test that is used to screen for the presence of prostate cancer.

The prostate is the gland, found only in men, which is located between the urinary bladder and the urethra(the urinary channel that runs through the penis). The prostate's function is to make seminal fluid or semen that is ejaculated during intercourse. Note that sperm is made in the testicles and is only a small fraction of the seminal fluid.

Antigen is a medical or biological term for a substance, usually a protein, thdt stkuulates the body to make antibodies. PSA is a protein, which is produced exclusively in the prostate gland. In even the earliest stages of Prostate disease, the patient's level of PSA begins to increase and is detectable with this test.

The American Cancer Society and the American Medical Association, both recommend that men over 50 have an annual digital rectal exam and depending on your physician's recommendations this should periodically be combined with a PSA .

HOMOCYSTEINE

What is homocysteine?

  •  An amino acid produced as the body metabolizes protein
  • it is a naturally occurring by-product, which, when present in low concentrations, provides a critical reserve of materials needed to make new proteins and build-new tissues
  • High homocysteine levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Bow does high homocysteine increase the risk of cardiovascular disease?
  • High homocysteine levels in the blood may damage arterial vessels, initiating inflammatory processes that eventually result in blockage of blood to the heart

LIPID PANEL

It is not possible to diagnose or treat any disease or problem with health screening alone. Health screening can help you learn more about your body and detect potential problems in early stages when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. Consult your private physician with any questions for further evaluation.

LIPID PANEL PROFILE

Cholesterol. There are two main groups of fat in the body: one based on the cholesterol molecule, the other on the triglyceride structure. This is blood fat shown to be associated with an increased probability of heart disease in some people. Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is due to increased cholesterol. Diabetes, thyroid, liver and pancreatic disease are also associated with increased cholesterol. Results above 200 should be discussed with your private physician.

Trig&cerides: This blood fat is also involved in, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, thyroid disease, liver disease and pancreatic disease. If elevated, the results should be discussed with your physician. The results may be elevated in the 200-600 range if you have eaten within 12 hours of the blood drawing. If your results are in this range and you were not fasting, a repeat evaluation should be obtained.

LDL(Low Density Lipoprotein): This is the "bad" fat-protein combination; the lower the better. The higher the amount of LDL cholesterol, the higher the risk of developing heart disease, this level can be decreased with reduction in fat intake+weight control and regular aerobic exercise.

HDL(High Density Lipoprotein): This is the "good fat-protein combination; the lower the better. The higher the value, the lower the risk of developing heart disease. This can be increased with regular aerobic exercise and cessation of smoking.