Lab Testing Made Simple

Comprehensive & Optimal Test

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: This test is a risk marker for cardiovascular diseases. LDL is responsible for carrying cholesterol to cells. However, despite its good intentions, LDL is known as the “bad” cholesterol because, when levels are too high, it can cause the formation of plaque buildup in the arteries.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: hs-CRP is revelatory in one's overall health as it relates to the risk of inflammation-related diseases. Chronic inflammation is linked to every major disease: heart disease (even before symptoms occur), type 2 diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, depression, all autoimmune diseases, and severe allergic reactions like asthma.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: HDL is part of a comprehensive lipid panel, an essential risk assessment for heart disease. There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Think of the H as healthy, helpful, heart-supporting cholesterol that helps reduce plaque buildup.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Total cholesterol numbers are part of a risk assessment for heart disease. Too much cholesterol in the blood can damage arteries and blood vessels and elevate the risk for stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver to help with thousands of bodily functions, such as building cells, promoting hormone and brain function, and synthesizing vitamin D.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: The ratio of triglycerides to HDL measures risk for heart disease. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body that stores excess energy from one's diet. An accumulation of triglycerides means there is too much fat in the blood and may indicate higher risk of a cardiac event.

Optimal Test: Apo B helps transport lipids throughout the bloodstream, which is vital for cardiovascular health. Along with other lipid tests, Apo B is a powerful risk marker for cardiovascular disease.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: About 50% of people who suffer heart attacks have a normal cholesterol level. Considering this, many cardiologists believe Lp(a) to be a major driver of cardiac events. This invaluable test is used by specialists but is not yet widely adopted in primary care. Lp(a) is a genetic marker that determines risk, particularly for those with symptoms or a family history of cardiovascular disease. Lipoproteins are made of lipids (fats) and proteins (energy) and are referred to as "sticky proteins."

In tandem with a full liver panel, this test can help determine the cause of jaundice and/or help diagnose conditions such as liver disease, hemolytic anemia, or blockage of the bile ducts. The liver makes bile to help digest food, and bile contains bilirubin. A healthy liver can get rid of bilirubin, but when the liver isn't working properly, it cannot break down bilirubin and dispose of it.

Protein levels explore the health of the kidneys, liver, and absorption processes. The human body is made up of thousands of proteins, all of which have various roles in making and maintaining every cell in the body, including enzymes and hormones. Proteins also fuel those cells and the immune system with energy.

ALP can help detect and/or monitor conditions related to the liver, malnutrition, autoimmune disorders, or bone disease. ALP is an enzyme that breaks down proteins. It is found throughout the entire body, but is mostly prevalent in the liver, bones, intestines, and kidneys.

ALT is an enzyme that checks on liver health. If one's liver cells are damaged due to excess alcohol, drugs, disease, or injury, ALT will appear in the bloodstream and, therefore, in a blood test.

Abnormal albumin can indicate malnutrition, liver or kidney disease, or a digestive inflammatory condition (Crohn’s or Celiac) resulting in malabsorption. Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps fluid remain in the bloodstream rather than leaking into other tissues. It also helps hormones, vitamins, and enzymes transfer throughout the body to their final destinations.

AST is an enzyme mostly found in the liver and helps metabolize amino acids. Testing for AST in the blood can help detect liver damage from injury or a number of diseases and conditions, like hepatitis, cirrhosis, mononucleosis, or other liver diseases, heart problems, or pancreatitis.

Globulin is a protein essential for liver function, blood clotting, and immune system operations. Abnormal globulin levels can indicate various conditions, such as liver disease, autoimmune disorders, or chronic infections.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Monitor liver health with GGT. This test helps detect liver disease, identify bile duct blockages, and check for conditions related to alcohol and toxins. The GGT biomarker is a reliable detector (but not a diagnostic test) for toxin exposure or fatty liver from alcohol, even when other liver tests are normal.

Calcium levels help understand symptoms related to the kidneys, bones, thyroid, parathyroid, or nerves.

Chloride is a mineral in the body that creates channels in cell membranes to carry out vital tasks. This test can help detect dehydration, kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or other disorders.

This ratio helps evaluate kidney function and can indicate conditions such as dehydration, kidney disease, or issues affecting kidney perfusion. A high ratio may suggest dehydration or upper gastrointestinal bleeding, while a low ratio can point to acute tubular necrosis or liver disease. This result is only calculated if BUN is out of range.

Creatinine levels vary from person to person, but abnormalities typically signal kidney disease or damage. One's creatinine levels are directly related to lifestyle, diet, medication, and how those can impact the kidneys’ ability to function. Creatinine (not to be confused with creatine) is a chemical compound left over from everyday wear and tear of the muscles.

A sodium test looks at electrolytes and pH. When sodium levels are abnormal, it can signal issues with the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, thyroid, and adrenal glands.

Potassium is an electrolyte that aids in muscle contraction, digestion, messaging from the brain to the body, and regulating fluids and blood pressure. Potassium levels can help detect kidney, liver, heart, and blood disorders.

eGFR is a kidney biomarker, and this test is used to help diagnose kidney disease at an early stage when it is most treatable. It can also track those with pre-existing kidney-related conditions.

Urea nitrogen is a waste product that the kidneys flush out, but the presence or buildup of urea nitrogen waste in the blood means the kidneys aren't regulating waste properly. Compared to one's creatinine levels, this test can screen for kidney disease.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Keep an eye on kidney health with microalbumin. This test checks for small fragments of albumin in one's urine, which may be an early indication of kidney damage due to hypertension or type 2 diabetes. Microalbumin will show issues even before the normal kidney tests (creatinine and BUN) are elevated.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: TIBC assesses the body’s ability to transport iron in the blood, and can diagnose and/or monitor iron-deficiency or iron overload. Lower than normal levels of TIBC could indicate too much iron and a variety of conditions, including anemias, inflammation, or liver disease.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: The Iron % Saturation test measures the percentage of transferrin, a protein that transports iron in the blood, that is saturated with iron. This test is crucial for assessing iron status in the body and can help diagnose conditions such as iron deficiency anemia or iron overload disorders like hemochromatosis.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Vitamin D deficiency is widely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Over time, low levels can lead to hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, fatigue, depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), gut issues, and fibromyalgia. The role of vitamin D is vast and benefits the immune system, thyroid, bones and teeth, muscles, and brain.

Ferritin levels can help diagnose iron deficiency, liver disease, inflammation, or insulin resistance. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in cells and then releases the iron when the body makes more red blood cells.

Optimal Test: MMA measures vitamin B12 and can detect a deficiency even when mild or just beginning. MMA is a key component for metabolism and energy, and because blood and/or urine levels of MMA rise when B12 levels drop, it is a more sensitive biomarker than testing just B12 levels.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Healthy iron levels create vitality throughout the entire body. Iron helps various vital functions, like providing energy and focus, building a strong gastrointestinal tract and immune system, and regulating body temperature. Iron deficiency can lead to numerous biological problems, including anemia.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: A homocysteine test checks the body’s vitamin B levels and methylation function, a key biochemical process essential for almost all of the body’s systems. Abnormal homocysteine can build up and increase the risk of blood clots, dementia, osteoporosis, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Homocysteine is an amino acid that helps organs grow and regenerate.

Optimal Test: Zinc is mostly known for its immune support, but it's actually a powerful mineral across all systems of the body: from strengthening bones and muscles, preventing blood clotting and metal accumulation, promoting proper insulin and thyroid function, and so much more. If deficient, it can impact mood, sexual function, and immunity.

Calcium levels help understand symptoms related to the kidneys, bones, thyroid, parathyroid, or nerves. Calcium is a mineral the body uses to build and maintain strong bones, teeth, muscle control, and blood circulation.

FSH evaluates ovarian health and pituitary function, and can help determine a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause, or menopause. As a type of protein hormone, FSH is responsible for stimulating the ovarian follicles that produce and release eggs during ovulation. If one is on hormonal birth control, this test will not be run.

Included in female health test

In all adults, healthy levels of testosterone are important for general health, body composition, sexual function, and reduced risk of disease. Function tests both "free" and “total” testosterone in the blood.

Optimal Test: Prolactin levels can guide the diagnosis of irregular or absent menstrual periods, infertility, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, liver or kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and/or estrogen and testosterone deficiency, in addition to unwanted lactation. It is also used to screen for pituitary tumors. Prolactin is a peptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates breast development and milk production in pregnant women.

Optimal Test: AMH is a key fertility marker that assesses ovarian reserve (egg count) at the time of the test. This test sheds light on the body’s potential to produce eggs for fertilization, particularly if one is nearing menopause or experiencing a hormonal condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: When SHBG levels change, it can impact the amount of available hormones in the body, either too much or too little. This can affect the menstrual cycle as well as fertility. SHBG patrols the amount of sex hormones the body tissues can use.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: LH levels give insight into sexual development and fertility. LH releases estrogen during the menstrual cycle, which triggers the release of an egg from the ovary**, otherwise known as ovulation.** It can also help determine states of perimenopause and menopause. If one is on hormonal birth control, this test will not be run.

For biological females, testing the hormone estradiol (one type of estrogen) is key in detecting menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), androgen- or estrogen-producing tumors, uterine and breast cancer, and mitigating the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. If one is on hormonal birth control, this test will not be run.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: This helps evaluate functions associated with testosterone levels, such as fertility, sexual function, muscle mass, energy, mood, insulin resistance/sensitivity, and pituitary function. It can also detect prediabetes, PCOS, or menopause. Function tests both "free" and “total” testosterone in the blood.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: DHEA Sulfate, the most abundant hormone in the human body, is associated with longevity, positive reproductive outcomes, and immune system regulation. This test can gauge reproductive function and the health of your adrenal gland.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: When SHBG levels change, it can impact the amount of available hormones in the body, either too much or too little. This can impact sexual function and fertility. SHBG patrols the amount of sex hormones the body tissues can use.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: DHEA-S can gauge the health of the reproductive system and adrenal glands. It is one of three adrenal androgens: steroid hormones that control the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics.

Comprehensive & Optimal: Prolactin levels can guide diagnosis of low libido or erectile dysfunction, or screen for pituitary tumor. Prolactin is a peptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland.

For biological males, testing the hormone estradiol (one type of estrogen) is key in understanding testosterone levels and sexual function. Estradiol is essential in sexual development and managing the reproductive system.

This helps evaluate functions associated with testosterone levels, such as fertility, sexual function, muscle mass, energy, mood, insulin resistance/sensitivity, and pituitary function. It can also screen for prediabetes. Function tests both "free" and “total” testosterone in the blood.

In all adults, healthy levels of testosterone are important for general health, body composition, sexual function, and reduced risk of disease. Function tests both "free" and “total” testosterone in your blood. One will naturally have a higher level of "total" than "free.”

Optimal Test: LH helps the testicles make testosterone, which is important for producing sperm and many other male functions. LH levels gives insight into one's sexual development and fertility.

Comprehensive & Optimal: Insulin levels can uncover reasons behind abnormal blood sugar, insulin resistance, and more. It can also reveal hidden blood sugar issues even years before they escalate to something like diabetes. Establishing one's insulin baseline can be incredibly insightful to how one's lifestyle affects health.

Too much glucose (hyperglycemia) is a major driver of many diseases and illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Glucose is a type of sugar (from food) that the body uses for energy. When glucose is not absorbed and used, it can form glycogen and be stored as fat in the liver. Over time, this can lead to a decline in overall health.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Uric acid in the blood screens for metabolic disorders, like gout, anemia, and immunodeficiencies. This often overlooked test has renewed attention after recent studies show elevated levels can increase the risk of death from cardiovascular issues by 39% and stroke by 35%.

Optimal Test: Leptin tells the brain when to stop eating. It is a hormone created by fat cells that regulates energy expenditure, and this test is an important diagnostic tool for leptin deficiency, which causes obesity and chronic inflammation. High levels are often associated with vascular risk factors, including insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension.

HbA1c is the average amount of glucose attached to blood cells over the last 90 days. It diagnoses, monitors, and screens for prediabetes and diabetes. This test is a revelatory look into one's health, specifically the body’s ability to control blood sugar. Unhealthy levels are triggered by inflammation, vitamin deficiencies, kidney damage, thyroid disorders, and more. One's diet and habits can have a substantial impact on this test.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: The Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Screen is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies that mistakenly target and attack the nucleus of the body's cells. A positive ANA test suggests an autoimmune response, but further tests are usually required to determine the specific condition and guide appropriate treatment.

Optimal Test: Rheumatoid factors (RFs) are antibodies produced by the immune system. The presence of RFs can indicate autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid vasculitis, or Sjögren’s syndrome. Asymptomatic individuals with elevated RF levels may have pre-autoimmunity.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Amylase checks in on the pancreas, and irregular levels can detect salivary disease, celiac disease, IBD, and the growth of a tumor in an amylase-producing tissue. Amylase is an enzyme produced in the salivary glands and pancreas. It’s a digestive protein that breaks down carbohydrates and starches into simple sugars, giving the body energy.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: A lipase test is able to show swelling or inflammation in the pancreas, a condition known as pancreatitis. It can also reveal other health conditions such as kidney disease, pancreatic cancer, and problems with the gallbladder or esophagus. Lipase is an enzyme produced by the pancreas that helps the body digest fats.

RDW is the size and volume of the red blood cells. RDW and MCV explore one's overall health, and together, they can detect liver disease and various types of vitamin-deficiency anemias even before symptoms occur. When either or both are abnormal over time, it can lead to a higher risk of disease and increase one's phenotypic age.

MCV's insight into the blood is a unique indicator of overall health. If MCV is either high or low overtime (most likely indicating a chronic vitamin deficiency or blood condition), it can degrade the body's general wellness and thus one's phenotypic age. MCV measures average size of red blood cells: whether they are too big, too small, or just right.

As part of the complete blood count, an HCT test measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. This test helps screen for, diagnose, and monitor conditions that affect the blood or bone marrow.

Abnormal platelet count is a risk marker for heart attack, stroke, and other heart diseases, but this test can also help diagnose autoimmune disease, bone marrow damage (which can be caused by certain cancers, such as leukemia and/or cancer treatments), spleen disorder, and parasites. Platelets, which are made in the bone marrow, are small, colorless blood cells that form clots with the goal of stopping or preventing bleeding.

RBC count can reveal various anemias, vitamin deficiencies, colon, bladder, or kidney issues, chronic diseases that cause bone marrow suppression, autoimmune disorders, blood disorders, polycythemia vera, congenital heart disease, and more.

Hemoglobin reflects the number of red blood cells active in the blood. Low levels may uncover anemia, vitamin deficiencies, loss of blood (both internal and external), and chronic diseases. The test can also help detect diseases affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys, or cardiovascular system, significant long-term infection, cognitive impairment, and certain types of cancer, and diagnose chronic blood disorders.

Eosinophils Neutrophils Basophils Monocytes White blood cell count (WBC)

MCH is usually done as part of the complete blood count and can help detect various types of anemia (deficiency in iron, B12, or folate), blood loss, cancer, kidney or liver disease, or autoimmunity. MCH measures the average amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells.

MCHC measures the amount of hemoglobin per unit volume. So, this test assesses the hemoglobin content within the volume of the cell, which can uncover iron-deficiency anemia, hypothyroidism, spherocytosis, or RBC agglutination.

This test is typically cross-referenced with TSH and T3 to gain insight into overall thyroid function. Thyroxine, or T4, is produced in the thyroid then released into the bloodstream where it travels to the liver and kidneys. It is converted into the hormone triiodothyronine (T3). The synergy of T4 and T3 is important for heart and digestive function, metabolism, brain development, bone health, and muscle control.

T3 levels can reveal an overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s) thyroid. T3 is the most powerful thyroid hormone in the body. It helps regulate body temperature, control heart rate, lower cholesterol, improve memory, promote regrowth after hair loss, soothe muscle aches, regulate bowel movements, and support fertility.

About 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men have hypothyroidism, and a TSH test can help reveal thyroid issues. Looking at abnormal TSH results alongside thyroid peroxidase (TPO) may be a sign of Graves’ disease. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and controls the release of thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

Included in comprehensive and optimal tests: This test checks for elevated antibodies created against thyroid peroxidase (TPO), an enzyme that helps produce hormones. Therefore, if antibodies are detected with this test, it can indicate thyroid-related autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto’s. Comparing this test with abnormal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone may indicate Graves’ disease.

Included in Optimal Tests: This test checks for antibodies created against thyroglobulin, a protein produced and used by the thyroid gland to make T3 and T4 hormones, which control metabolism and tissue/cell growth. If present, it may indicate thyroid-related autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto’s.

Measuring one's PSA screens for tumors and/or monitors preexisting prostate cancer. On its own, it can not be used to diagnose cancer. Rather, this test and one's total PSA reveals the health of your prostate and acts as a signal if something is wrong.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Lead is a common element all around us and is naturally absorbed, but it can be dangerous if exposed to hazardous sources. Untreated toxicity can lead to fertility complications, kidney failure, convulsions, cardiovascular issues, hormonal disruption, gastrointestinal issues, and neurological changes.

Optimal Test: Biological age reflects how one's body is aging at the cellular and molecular levels, which can determine the risk of age-related conditions like cardiovascular diseases and cognitive decline. Unlike calendar age (number of years lived), biological age is reversible and something one can optimize. It calculates mortality risk and phenotypic age based on various lab test results. While biological age on its own might seem like a vanity metric, when combined with 100+ lab tests, it offers a comprehensive benchmark for tracking and enhancing health and longevity.

Comprehensive & Optimal Test: Cortisol, for one, is often referred to as “the stress hormone.” However, it goes beyond stress to help the body with numerous functions. Testing can detect imbalances in adrenal function.

CA-125 CA-19-9 CEA

The presence of yeast in urine suggests a potential fungal infection, commonly due to Candida species, and may indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a vaginal yeast infection.

Healthy urine is sterile, so when bacteria is present, it's a sign of infection.

Ketone testing can help diagnose ketoacidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a complication of diabetes, or issues unrelated to diabetes like gastrointestinal diseases (IBS, colitis, Crohn’s, celiac, GERD). Ketones are produced in the liver as part of a body’s metabolism process. If one is low on glucose, the body burns fat for energy instead and produces ketones, which show up in urine. This is the process behind ketogenic (keto) diets.

It's ok if hyaline casts show up in urine. However, large amounts of them may indicate kidney damage due to decreased blood flow to the kidneys.

The goal of testing pH is to identify whether or not one has an acid-base imbalance, to determine how severe the imbalance is, and to help diagnose underlying diseases or conditions (such as diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of diabetes). Testing also helps monitor critical illnesses that affect acid-base balance, such as chronic lung disease and kidney disease.

It's normal to have a small amount of epithelial cells in urine. A large amount, however, may indicate an infection, kidney disease, or another serious medical condition.

Checks the clarity of urine from clear to turbid.

Look into the general health of the liver. When healthy, the liver makes bile, which contains bilirubin. This bile helps digest food, and a thriving liver gets rid of excess bilirubin, but when the liver isn't working properly, bilirubin builds up.

If one is healthy, glucose levels in the urine are generally too low to be detected. Glucose in the urine, or glucosuria, is a symptom of both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes (when one's blood sugars are high), pregnancy, or liver abnormalities or hormonal disorders.

The goal of this test is to evaluate kidney function. Normally, protein stays in the blood and doesn't pass into urine. The kidneys prevent this from happening. If proteinuria (protein in urine) is detected, the kidneys aren't functioning properly.

This test detects blood in urine, which could potentially indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), enlarged prostate, kidney damage (from injury), kidney disease, or other kidney or bladder-related conditions.

Increased nitrites in urine can indicate an infection in the urinary tract, anywhere from the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Healthy urine has chemicals called nitrates. When bacteria enter the urinary tract, nitrates can transform into nitrites.