The Metabolic Nutrition Update is ideal for:
The Metabolic Nutrition Update provides a comprehensive overview of key metabolic and nutritional markers, offering insights into areas like blood sugar regulation, electrolyte balance, liver function, and essential vitamin levels. Metabolic health is at the core of most chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even mental illnesses. By monitoring these markers proactively, you and your healthcare provider can gain valuable insights into how well your body is maintaining metabolic function and your risk of chronic disease.
If you’re focused on improving specific metabolic or nutritional markers, it’s recommended to take the Metabolic Nutrition Update every 2-3 months between comprehensive panels until your markers are within target ranges. Regular testing helps you stay on top of your metabolic health status and catch potential health concerns before they become a problem.
This test measures the ratio of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to creatinine in the blood. BUN comes from protein breakdown in the liver, and creatinine is a waste product from muscles. This ratio helps check kidney function.
Low BUN/Creatinine Ratio
A low Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) to Creatinine ratio can be caused by various factors, typically reflecting either low BUN or high creatinine. Common causes of each include:
Low BUN/Creatinine Ratio - Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the underlying cause but may include:
High BUN/Creatinine Ratio
A high Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) to Creatinine ratio can result from various factors, typically reflecting elevated BUN or low creatinine. Common causes of each include:
High BUN/Creatinine Ratio -Symptoms
Symptoms may start subtly and get worse as kidney function declines:
Calcium is a mineral essential for various bodily functions, with a significant role in bone and teeth formation, blood clotting, nerve signaling, and muscle function. Most of the body's calcium is stored in the bones. Calcium measurements are useful in diagnosing parathyroid disease, some bone disorders, and chronic renal disease.
Your healthcare provider may order a calcium test if you have a medical condition that may affect your calcium levels, such as:
Low Calcium - Symptoms
High Calcium - Symptoms
Severe Hypocalcemia: Very low levels of calcium in your blood can cause the following symptoms:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas. We produce CO2 as a normal part of metabolism and eliminate it when we exhale.
A CO2 blood test, often part of an electrolyte panel, helps doctors check if your body is balancing electrolytes properly.
Your doctor might order a CO2 blood test if you have symptoms like excessive vomiting or diarrhea, fatigue, headache, trouble breathing, or weakness.
Low CO2 Levels (Hypocapnia) - Causes
Low CO2 Levels - Symptoms
High CO2 Levels (Hypercapnia) - Causes
High CO2 Levels - Symptoms
Chloride is an essential electrolyte, a negatively charged ion, found in the body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance, forming stomach acid for digestion, and assisting in the movement of fluids in and out of cells.
Chloride measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte and metabolic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and diabetic acidosis. Your healthcare provider may also order a chloride blood test if you have symptoms of an acid or fluid imbalance, including:
Low Chloride Levels (Hypochloremia) - Causes
High Chloride Levels (Hyperchloremia)- Causes
Creatinine is a waste product made by muscles during everyday activities. The kidneys filter it out of the blood and excrete it in urine. If the kidneys aren’t working well, creatinine levels in the blood increase, indicating potential kidney problems.
The serum creatinine test can provide important information about kidney function. However, normal creatinine levels don’t always mean the kidneys are healthy.
Low Creatinine Levels - Causes
Low creatinine levels in a blood test are less common, often asymptomatic, and usually not critical but can indicate certain health issues:
Low Creatinine Levels - Symptoms
Elevated Creatinine - Causes
Elevated Creatinine - General Symptoms
Elevated Creatinine - Severe Symptoms
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that is a critical component of the brain, eyes, and other tissues throughout the body. DHA plays a key role in brain development and function, especially in infants and young children. It is also important for maintaining heart health, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall well-being.
The DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) test measures the level of DHA in the blood. This test is often part of a broader fatty acid profile or Omega-3 Index, which assesses the balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the body. The test is used to assess cognitive health, cardiovascular health, prenatal and infant health as well as inflammation and nutritional balance.
Low DHA Levels - Causes
Low Levels - Symptoms
High DHA Levels - Causes
High DHA Levels - Symptoms
Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, marine sources, and to some extent in the human body. DPA is often considered a beneficial nutrient, playing a role in various physiological processes, such as:
Low Levels of DPA - Causes
Low Levels of DPA - Symptoms
High Levels of DPA - Causes
High Levels of DPA - Symptoms
There are typically no direct symptoms of high DPA levels, as it is generally considered beneficial. However, excessive omega-3 intake can potentially lead to issues such as excessive bleeding, as omega-3s can thin the blood.