Full blood count determines general health status. It is used as a screen for a variety of disorders, such as anaemia and infection, inflammation, nutritional status and exposure to toxic substances.
ESR is the rate at which red blood cells sediment in a period of one hour. It is a common haematology test, and is a non-specific measure of inflammation. The ESR is increased in inflammation, pregnancy, anaemia, autoimmune disorders, infections, some kidney diseases and some cancers. The ESR is decreased in polycythaemia, hyperviscosity, sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, low plasma protein (due to liver or kidney disease) and congestive heart failure. The basal ESR is slightly higher in females.
Folate is essential for the body to make DNA, RNA, and metabolise amino acids which are required for cell division. Humans cannot make folates and therefore it is required from the diet.
Not enough folate can lead to folate deficiency. This may result in a type of anaemia where there is a low number of large red blood cells. Symptoms may include feeling tired, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, open sores on the tongue, and changes in the colour of the skin or hair. Low levels in early pregnancy are believed to be the cause of more than half of cases of neural tube defects in babies. Folate has also been implicated in several other conditions including cancer, heart disease and strokes, fertility, physiological problems and many others.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that has a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and the formation of red blood cells. It is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially affecting DNA synthesis, fatty acid and amino acid metabolism.
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble steroids responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphate and zinc. Vitamin D is mainly absorbed from food or produced through dermal synthesis in response to sunlight. It is not strictly a vitamin, and may be considered a hormone as its synthesis and activity occur in different locations. Vitamin D has a significant role in calcium homoeostasis and metabolism.
Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca) and others are part of a basic metabolic panel. Their imbalance may be related to metabolic disorders and creates a multitude of symptoms from tiredness and muscle weakness to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias in some patients.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and Bilirubin. These tests together as a group are referred as 'liver function tests'. They detect liver damage or/and inherited liver disorders.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and Bilirubin. These tests together as a group are referred as 'liver function tests'. They detect liver damage or/and inherited liver disorders.
When red blood cells are broken down the pigment giving them their characteristic red colour, haemoglobin, (whose role is to carry oxygen to the tissues) is converted to unconjugated bilirubin. Only small amounts of bilirubin are normally present in the blood. In the liver, each unconjugated bilirubin molecule has a sugar molecule attached to it to form water soluble conjugated bilirubin. This is secreted into bile and carried to the intestine where bacteria break it down, eventually producing the brown pigment that colours normal stools. This metabolic process taking place in the liver is the reason that bilirubin can be used as a marker for liver disease such as cirrhosis.
Total cholesterol and its sub groups HDL, LDL and Triglycerides (TG) are used in evaluating heart disease risk.
These tests are useful in the assessment of healthy individuals as well as in patients who have heart disease or have other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes. They are also used to monitor treatment with lipid lowering drugs.
The test for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is also used as part of a lipid profile to screen for unhealthy levels of lipids and to determine an individual's risk of developing heart disease. HDL-C is considered to be beneficial, the so-called "good" cholesterol, because it removes excess cholesterol from tissues and carries it to the liver for disposal. As part of a lipid profile, HDL-C may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for unhealthy lipid levels.
LDL-C is usually calculated from the results of the other components of the lipid profile, including total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. In most cases, the formula provides a good estimate of the LDL-C, but it becomes less accurate with increased triglyceride levels (i.e., above 400 mg/dL). Of all the forms of cholesterol in the blood, the LDL-C is considered the most important form in determining risk of heart disease. It is considered to be undesirable and is often call "bad" cholesterol because it deposits excess cholesterol in blood vessel walls and contributes to hardening of the arteries and heart disease.
Total cholesterol and its sub groups HDL, LDL and Triglycerides (TG) are used in evaluating heart disease risk.
These tests are useful in the assessment of healthy individuals as well as in patients who have heart disease or have other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes. They are also used to monitor treatment with lipid lowering drugs.
ECG test records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time using electrodes placed on the skin. These electrodes detect the tiny electrical changes on the skin that arise from the heart muscle's electrophysiologic pattern of depolarizing during each heartbeat. It is a very commonly performed cardiology test. ECGs are used to diagnose suspected myocardial infarction (heart attack), suspected pulmonary embolism, a third heart sound, fourth heart sound, a cardiac murmur or other findings to suggest structural heart disease and many more other conditions of the heart.
Luteinising hormone (LH) test is used to evaluate pituitary function, especially in terms of fertility problems.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test is used to evaluate pituitary function, especially in terms of fertility problems.
Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is used to help evaluate a patient's androgens.
PSA is a protein produced mainly by cells in the prostate gland and can be a useful indicator of prostate cancer. This protein can be found in all males. Elevated levels do not always indicate cancer. Men whose levels are increased may have an infection of the prostate gland (prostatitis) or prostate enlargement. In blood, PSA is present both as free PSA and as complexed PSA bound to other blood proteins.
Testosterone is used to help diagnose erectile dysfunction, infertility, early or delayed puberty, and other disorders.
Nutritionists call omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids “essential” fats for good reason. The human body needs them for many functions, from building healthy cells to maintaining brain and nerve function. Our bodies can’t produce them and the only source is food. Omega-6 mostly comes as linoleic acid from plant oils such as corn oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, as well as from nuts and seeds. Omega-3s come primarily from fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna, as well as from walnuts and flaxseed in lesser amounts.
Usually requested in the investigation of anaemias to see how much iron your body has stored for future use. The test is done, usually with an iron test and the total iron binding capacity (TIBC).
The test may also be requested when there is suspicion that you have too much iron, for example in haemochromatosis (a disease in which too much iron is absorbed from the diet) and elevated levels are also encountered in neoplastic disease.
Nutritionists call omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids “essential” fats for good reason. The human body needs them for many functions, from building healthy cells to maintaining brain and nerve function. Our bodies can’t produce them and the only source is food. Omega-6 mostly comes as linoleic acid from plant oils such as corn oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, as well as from nuts and seeds. Omega-3s come primarily from fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna, as well as from walnuts and flaxseed in lesser amounts.