The Male Comprehensive Panel is ideal for:
The Female Comprehensive Panel offers an in-depth look at essential health markers that can help identify early signs of chronic conditions and provide insight into your overall well-being. This panel covers key areas such as metabolic health, cardiovascular health, and hormone levels. This level of comprehensive testing is not always easy to obtain, as many doctors might only check these markers when health issues have already progressed. By being proactive with this panel, you and your healthcare provider can monitor critical health indicators and address potential concerns before they become more serious, giving you greater control over your long-term wellness.
We recommend completing the Female Comprehensive Panel at least yearly, if not every 6 months, to maintain a complete overview of your health and catch any potential issues early.
Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. It travels through the bloodstream to the liver, where it is processed and eventually excreted in bile. Abnormal levels can indicate various health issues.
The total bilirubin test helps evaluate the health of your liver and is one of a comprehensive panel of liver function tests that measure different liver products in your blood.
Low Bilirubin Levels may be caused by certain medications (including antibiotics, birth control pills, sleeping pills, and seizure medications). Low levels typically do not indicate a medical problem.
High Bilirubin Levels (Hyperbilirubinemia) - Causes
Symptoms are generally due to an underlying condition, such as:
High Bilirubin Levels - Symptoms
Proteins play vital roles in the body, including maintaining fluid balance, fighting infections, and transporting substances in the blood.
This test measures the total amount of protein in your blood, focusing on two major types: albumin and globulin. It helps assess nutritional status, diagnose kidney or liver disease, and evaluate immune system health. It can also help determine the cause of edema, a buildup of fluid that leads to swelling, typically in the ankles.
Low Blood Protein (Hypoproteinemia): Low protein levels may result from temporary conditions, like acute infections or inflammation, overhydration, overuse of diuretics, pregnancy, or severe burns. Alternatively, many chronic conditions may be the cause, such as chronic illness, congestive heart failure, liver or kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, malnutrition, malabsorption syndromes, medications, or genetic disorders.
Low Blood Protein Levels - Symptoms
High Blood Protein: High protein levels may indicate temporary conditions, like dehydration, or chronic issues, such as liver disease, chronic infections, certain cancers, and autoimmune diseases.
High Blood Protein Levels - Symptoms
Blood urea nitrogen, BUN, is a waste product produced when the body breaks down proteins.
The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your bloodstream and is commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of certain renal and metabolic diseases. This test is often used with patients who have diabetes, a family history of kidney problems, or high blood pressure.
Low Blood Urea Nitrogen: Low BUN levels aren't common. However, you may have low BUN levels from the following:
Low Blood Urea Nitrogen - General Symptoms: While individuals with low BUN are often asymptomatic, symptoms of severely low BUN are confusion, swelling, or edema. More general symptoms include:
Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen: High BUN levels may suggest poor kidney function (chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, glomerulonephritis, kidney stones). However, even if your kidneys are working properly, you may have elevated BUN levels from the following:
Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen - General Symptoms
Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen - Severe Symptoms
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is a measure of kidney function, estimating how much blood is filtered by the kidneys each minute. It is used to detect, evaluate, and monitor chronic kidney disease (CKD).
GFR has traditionally been estimated based on 24-hour creatinine clearance. However, a calculation of estimated GFR (eGFR) is now recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Kidney Foundation. eGFR based on serum creatinine and/or cystatin C is viewed as a simpler and generally more reliable test.
Low eGFR Levels - Causes
Low eGFR Levels - General Symptoms
Low eGFR Levels - Severe Symptoms
High eGFR Levels - Causes
High eGFR Levels - Symptoms
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid), and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) are fatty acids and essential nutrients that your body needs but can't produce on its own. They are found in fish oils, marine sources, and certain plants in smaller amounts. They can also be obtained through supplements. These fatty acids play a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain function.
EPA+DPA+DHA is a blood test that measures the levels of three specific types of omega-3 fatty acids in your blood. They're primarily found in fatty fish, but can also be obtained through supplements.
Higher levels of EPA+DPA+DHA have been linked to several health benefits, including:
Low Levels of EPA, DPA, and DHA - Causes
Low Levels of EPA, DPA, and DHA - Symptoms
High Levels of EPA, DPA, and DHA - Causes
High Levels of EPA, DPA, and DHA - Symptoms
Linoleic Acid is an essential omega-6 fatty acid, crucial for maintaining the integrity of cell membranes, supporting skin health, and playing a role in inflammation and overall cellular function. Since the body cannot produce linoleic acid, it must be obtained from the diet.
Low Levels of Linoleic Acid - Causes
Low Levels of Linoleic Acid - Symptoms
High Levels of Linoleic Acid - Causes
High Levels of Linoleic Acid - Symptoms
The Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio refers to the balance between two essential fatty acids in the diet: omega-6 in vegetable oils and processed foods, and omega-3 in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Maintaining a healthy balance between these fatty acids is important for overall health, particularly for reducing inflammation and heart disease risk. The ideal ratio is considered to be between 2:1 and 4:1 Omega-6 over Omega-3, although typical Western diets often exceed this range, leading to potential health issues.
This test calculates the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids in your blood.
Low Ratio (Omega-6 Dominant) - Causes
Low Ratio - Symptoms
High Ratio (Omega-6 Dominant) - Causes
High Ratio (Omega-6 Dominant) - Signs & Symptoms
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for many bodily functions, including reducing inflammation, supporting brain function, and maintaining cardiovascular and eye health. There are three key omega-3s. Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). These come mostly from fatty fish like salmon and sardines. The third, Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), comes from plants like flaxseeds and walnuts. We can't make omega-3s ourselves, so we need to get them from food or supplements.
The Omega-3 Total Test measures the combined levels of all omega-3 fatty acids in the blood.
Key Points:
Causes
Symptoms
Causes
Symptoms
Omega-6s are polyunsaturated fats that affect inflammation, immunity, and cellular function. While omega-6 fatty acids are essential for health, an imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can lead to chronic inflammation and poor health. Omega-6 fatty acids include linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA), typically found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and processed foods.
The Omega-6 Total Test measures the levels of omega-6 fatty acids in the blood.
Low Omega-6 Levels - Causes
Low Omega-6 Levels - Symptoms
High Omega-6 Levels - Causes
High Omega-6 Levels - Symptoms
Apo B, or apolipoprotein B, is a protein that carries cholesterol from the liver to cells throughout the body. However, it only transports lipids with negative health effects; low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and others. It does not transport good cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
High levels of ApoB indicate an increased number of atherogenic particles, which can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as heart attacks and strokes. As such, Apo B is considered to be a powerful indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD). In some patients with CAD, APO B is elevated even in the presence of normal LDL cholesterol.
The Apo B or Apolipoprotein B-100 test is a blood test that can tell you about your risk for cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease. Some healthcare providers believe an Apo B test is more accurate than a lipid panel (which measures all those cholesterol types) to estimate cardiovascular disease risk.
Low ApoB Levels - Causes
Low ApoB Levels - Symptoms
High ApoB Levels - Causes
High ApoB Levels - Symptoms
The Cholesterol to HDL Cholesterol Ratio (Chol/HDL-C Ratio) is a calculated value obtained by dividing the total cholesterol level by the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level. This ratio is used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease. A higher ratio indicates a greater risk of heart disease.
Elevated Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - Causes
Elevated Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - Symptoms
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol. Because it removes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it to the liver for excretion it plays a protective role against cardiovascular disease.
The HDL cholesterol test measures the amount of HDL in the blood. It is part of a comprehensive lipid panel. HDL levels are used to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. Higher levels of HDL are generally protective, while lower levels increase the risk. The test is also used to monitor the effectiveness of lifestyle changes or medications aimed at increasing HDL levels.
Low HDL Levels - Causes
Low HDL Levels - Symptoms
High HDL Levels - Considered heart-healthy
Large HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) refers to a subtype of HDL cholesterol, often categorized based on particle size. HDL is known as 'good cholesterol' because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream, transporting it to the liver for excretion.
The classification into 'large' HDL is based on the size of these particles. Large HDL molecules can transport greater quantities of bad cholesterol to the liver, making them more beneficial to cardiovascular health. In contrast, smaller particles do not provide added cardiovascular protection.
This test helps assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with intermediate or high risk based on traditional or emerging risk factors, including:
This test is also used to assess a patient's response to lipid-lowering therapy.
Low Large HDL Particle Levels - Causes
Low levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, as there is less HDL available to remove cholesterol from the arteries.
Low Large HDL Particle Levels - Symptoms
Elevated Large HDL Particle Levels - Causes
Elevated levels are typically not a cause for concern. While having high HDL levels is generally considered beneficial, excessively high levels may be associated with certain health issues.
Elevated Large HDL Particle Levels - Symptoms
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance the liver produces in response to inflammation. The High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Test is a more precise version of the standard CRP test. It is designed to measure very low levels of CRP in the blood, which can indicate low-grade inflammation.
The hs-CRP test is primarily used to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. Since low-grade inflammation plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque in the arteries), measuring hs-CRP levels can help identify individuals at higher risk for these conditions, even if they appear otherwise healthy. It is also used to help monitor chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or other autoimmune diseases.
Elevated hs-CRP - Causes
Elevated hs-CRP - Symptoms
Elevated hs-CRP itself does not cause symptoms. It is a marker of underlying inflammation, so any symptoms present would be related to the condition causing the inflammation. These symptoms might include:
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein produced mainly in the liver that binds to sex hormones, specifically testosterone and estrogen, in the bloodstream. SHBG controls the amount of testosterone and estrogen that is available for the body's tissues to use. When hormones are bound to SHBG, they are inactive and cannot be used by cells. The levels of SHBG can influence the balance of available sex hormones, affecting many bodily processes.
The Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) test measures the level of SHBG in your blood. This test is often used to help diagnose conditions related to abnormal levels of sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. It is particularly useful when total hormone levels are normal, but symptoms of hormone imbalance are present.
Low SHBG levels have been associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders including metabolic syndrome, as well as some cancers and arthritis in both genders.
Low SHBG - Causes
Low SHBG - Symptoms
Often, higher levels of SHBG are associated with positive health outcomes. For example, elevated SHBG levels have been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and prostate cancer. However, they are also linked to a higher risk of bone loss and fractures, hypogonadism in males, and hepatic cirrhosis. In some cases, it may be caused by hyperthyroidism, as thyroid hormone stimulates the production and release of SHBG.
High SHBG - Causes
High SHBG - Symptoms
Testosterone is a key male sex hormone and an androgenic steroid. It's essential for both men and women, influencing libido, muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, mood, and overall well-being. In men, it also drives the development of masculine characteristics such as deeper voice, facial and body hair, and a more muscular body shape.
A total testosterone test measures the hormone's total amount in the blood, aiding in the evaluation of sexual dysfunction, infertility, and endocrine disorders. The total testosterone test measures two forms of testosterone, bound and free. Both of these forms decline with age.
Low Testosterone in Men
Low Testosterone in Women
High Testosterone in Men - Physical Symptoms
High Testosterone in Men - Behavioral Symptoms
High Testosterone in Men - Other Symptoms
High Testosterone in Women
Free Testosterone is the portion of testosterone that is not bound to proteins in the blood, making it biologically active and available to interact with cells and tissues. While most testosterone in the blood is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or albumin, only a small fraction is "free" and active, which plays a crucial role in various bodily functions.
The Free Testosterone test measures the amount of unbound testosterone in the bloodstream. This test is often used when total testosterone levels are borderline or do not match clinical symptoms. It's beneficial in evaluating conditions related to hormone imbalance, such as hypogonadism in men or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women.
Causes
Symptoms
Causes
Symptoms
Basophils are a type of white blood cell involved in immune responses. They play a key role in fighting infections and responding to allergies and inflammation.
When exposed to allergens or germs, basophils release substances like histamine and heparin. These chemicals help widen blood vessels, make blood vessels leaky, and attract other immune cells to the area of infection or allergy. Various factors, including medications, pregnancy, and chronic stress can influence basophil levels.
This test looks at the basophils as a white blood cell count percentage.
Low Basophils (Basopenia) - Causes
Low Basophils - Symptoms
Elevated Basophils (Basophilia) - Causes
Elevated Basophils - Symptoms
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system. They are involved in helping the body respond to allergies, parasitic infections, and certain other inflammatory conditions.
The eosinophil test reflects the count of eosinophils as a percentage of your total white blood cell count.
Low Eosinophils (Eosinopenia) - Causes
Low Eosinophils - Symptoms
High Eosinophils (Eosinophilia) - Causes
High Eosinophils - Symptoms
Hematocrit is a measure of the proportion of blood that is occupied by red blood cells. Expressed as a percentage, it provides information about the volume of red blood cells relative to the total blood volume.
Hematocrit levels are important for assessing blood health and oxygen-carrying capacity. As such, hematocrit levels are useful in evaluating anemia, blood loss, various blood conditions, state of hydration, and monitoring treatment response.
Low Hematocrit Levels - Causes
Low hematocrit levels are generally caused by blood disorders such as anemia. They may also reflect an elevated level of white blood cells, typically due to an illness or infection.
Low Hematocrit - Symptoms
Elevated Hematocrit - Causes
Elevated Hematocrit - Symptoms
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in fighting off infections and diseases. They include T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, B cells produce antibodies, and NK cells destroy infected or cancerous cells.
The lymphocyte test reflects the lymphocytes as a percentage of the total white blood cell count. A lymphocyte test is typically part of a complete blood count (CBC) with differential, which measures the types and numbers of cells in the blood including red blood cells, white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. The lymphocyte test, when viewed alongside the absolute lymphocyte count, provides important insights into the immune system's function. While similar, these tests provide different insights.
Lymphocyte (%) Test: This test measures the proportion of lymphocytes in relation to the total white blood cell (WBC) count. It is expressed as a percentage. The percentage alone doesn't give the full picture because it depends on the total WBC count.
Absolute Lymphocyte Count: This test measures the actual number of lymphocytes in a given volume of blood, usually per microliter (uL). It provides the total number of lymphocytes regardless of the WBC count.
Low Lymphocytes (Lymphocytopenia) - Causes
Low Lymphocytes - Symptoms
High Lymphocytes (Lymphocytosis) - Causes
High Lymphocytes - Symptoms
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) measures the average amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell (RBC). Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. So, abnormal MCH levels can indicate issues with oxygen delivery in the body. Too much or too little can be a sign of different health issues.
This test is used to help diagnose different types of anemia and other blood disorders. However, MCH is just one piece of the puzzle, and additional tests and clinical evaluation are usually necessary for a comprehensive diagnosis, understanding the underlying cause of anemia, and guiding appropriate treatment.
Low MCH can indicate hypochromic anemia, where red blood cells contain less hemoglobin than normal. This condition may be due to iron deficiency, thalassemia, various anemias, lead poisoning, or other factors affecting hemoglobin production.
Low MCH - Symptoms
High MCH can indicate macrocytic anemia, where red blood cells are larger and contain more hemoglobin than normal. This can be caused by conditions, such as pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency), folate deficiency, hypothyroidism, liver disease, alcoholism, or certain medications.
High MCH - Symptoms