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Hey guys. Been on a cruise for 4 weeks now. Want to get blood checked. Is this the right test? I know it does not have test and estrogen in it, but for organ function and blood counts, is this right?
The Comprehensive Health Profile includes:
Lipid Panel
Cholesterol: There are two main groups of fat in the blood, cholesterol and triglycerides. Increased cholesterol may lead to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), diabetes, thyroid, liver and pancreatic disease.
Triglycerides: This blood fat is also involved in arteriosclerosis, diabetes, thyroid, liver and pancreatic disease. They may be elevated in the 200-400 range if you have eaten within 10 hours of the blood draw. If your results are in this range and you did not fast, a repeat evaluation should be obtained.
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: This is the "good" fat-protein combination. The higher the value, the lower the risk of developing heart disease. HDL can be increased with regular aerobic exercise, monounsaturated fats such as olive and canola oils, and cessation of smoking. Mild use of alcohol (one or two glasses of wine per day) has been reported to increase HDL.
LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: This is the "bad" fat-protein combination, and the lower the LDL the better. The higher the LDL, the higher the risk of developing heart disease. This level can be decreased with reduction in fat intake, weight control, and regular exercise. Because this value is calculated using the triglyceride result, fasting is important for an accurate LDL, as well as triglyceride, result.
Complete Blood Count (with Differential and Platelet Count)
White Blood Cell Count (WBC) - The infection fighting cells of the immune system found in the blood. Lowered or elevated levels may be associated with a disease process.
Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) - Measures the number of oxygen-carrying cells in the blood. Lowered levels associated with anemia, elevated levels associated with smoking and several diseases.
Hemoglobin (HGB) - Measures the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the RBC. Significant increases or decreases can be seen in anemia or RBC disease.
Hematocrit (HCT) - Measures the oxygen-carrying capability of the blood by measuring the percentage of blood made-up of red blood cells. Significant decreases are one indicator of anemia.
MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW - Collectively called "indices", these tests measure size and other characteristics of the red blood cells. They can be used to further define the causes of an anemia state. An isolated abnormal value probably has little clinical significance, but can only be confirmed by your physician.
Platelet Count - These are small packages of clotting materials in the blood. Too many cause problems with unnecessary clotting; too few may cause excessive bleeding. Certain conditions alter this count.
Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Neutrophils, Eosinophils - Different types of WBCs. They may be used to evaluate allergic reactions or differentiate between bacteria, viral or parasitic infections.
Metabolic Panel
This blood test is also referred to as the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel or the CMP 14 (as opposed to the Basic Metabolic Panel or BMP 8). This is a 12 hour fasting test (check with your physician before fasting if you are diabetic and/or pregnant). This test include the following:
Glucose
Urea Nitrogen (BUN): A waste product of the liver excreted by the kidneys. High values may indicate kidney malfunction and/or dehydration
Creatinine: This is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is discarded by the kidney. It is elevated in kidney disease, muscle wasting disease, and sometimes the day after strenuous physical exercise.
BUN/Creatinine Ratio: Both BUN and creatinine are elevated in kidney failure, but they are elevated differently depending on the cause of the failure. This ratio helps determine the type of kidney failure.
eGFR
Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride: "Electrolytes" help make up the salt balance and acid/base balance in the body. They can be affected by diuretics or water pills, high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney and lung disease. The balance among these elements is important for proper functioning of the heart and brain.
Carbon Dioxide: Part of the electrolyte pane used to detect, evaluate and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
Calcium: screens for range of conditions relating to the bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, and teeth. Blood calcium levels do not directly tell how much calcium is in the bones, but rather, how much total calcium or ionized calcium is circulating in the blood.
Albumin, Globulin and Total Protein: Measures the amount and type of protein in your blood. They are a useful index of overall health and nutrition. Abnormal results are an indicator of under nutrition, liver or kidney disease, cirrhosis, multiple meyloma, sarcoid, amyloid, lupus, and/or major infections. Globulin is the "antibody" protein important for fighting disease. If one of these values is high, but the other values are within expected ranges, the result is probably not significant, but only your physician can confirm this.
Alkaline Phosphatase: A bone and liver enzyme. High values are associated with liver and gall-bladder disease. Expect to see higher values in adolescents and pregnant or breast feeding women. Low values are probably not significant, but can only be confirmed by your physician.
Bilirubin: Primary pigment in bile. It is derived from hemoglobin and processed by the liver, and builds up when the liver is functioning poorly or when some other disorder reduces the normal flow of bile. It is increased also when there has been destruction of red blood cells.
AST & ALT: Injury to cells releases these enzymes into the blood. Liver disease and heart attacks, as well as serious physical injury can cause elevation of these values. Low values are probably not significant, but can only be confirmed by your physician.
The Comprehensive Health Profile includes:
Lipid Panel
Cholesterol: There are two main groups of fat in the blood, cholesterol and triglycerides. Increased cholesterol may lead to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), diabetes, thyroid, liver and pancreatic disease.
Triglycerides: This blood fat is also involved in arteriosclerosis, diabetes, thyroid, liver and pancreatic disease. They may be elevated in the 200-400 range if you have eaten within 10 hours of the blood draw. If your results are in this range and you did not fast, a repeat evaluation should be obtained.
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: This is the "good" fat-protein combination. The higher the value, the lower the risk of developing heart disease. HDL can be increased with regular aerobic exercise, monounsaturated fats such as olive and canola oils, and cessation of smoking. Mild use of alcohol (one or two glasses of wine per day) has been reported to increase HDL.
LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: This is the "bad" fat-protein combination, and the lower the LDL the better. The higher the LDL, the higher the risk of developing heart disease. This level can be decreased with reduction in fat intake, weight control, and regular exercise. Because this value is calculated using the triglyceride result, fasting is important for an accurate LDL, as well as triglyceride, result.
Complete Blood Count (with Differential and Platelet Count)
White Blood Cell Count (WBC) - The infection fighting cells of the immune system found in the blood. Lowered or elevated levels may be associated with a disease process.
Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) - Measures the number of oxygen-carrying cells in the blood. Lowered levels associated with anemia, elevated levels associated with smoking and several diseases.
Hemoglobin (HGB) - Measures the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the RBC. Significant increases or decreases can be seen in anemia or RBC disease.
Hematocrit (HCT) - Measures the oxygen-carrying capability of the blood by measuring the percentage of blood made-up of red blood cells. Significant decreases are one indicator of anemia.
MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW - Collectively called "indices", these tests measure size and other characteristics of the red blood cells. They can be used to further define the causes of an anemia state. An isolated abnormal value probably has little clinical significance, but can only be confirmed by your physician.
Platelet Count - These are small packages of clotting materials in the blood. Too many cause problems with unnecessary clotting; too few may cause excessive bleeding. Certain conditions alter this count.
Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Neutrophils, Eosinophils - Different types of WBCs. They may be used to evaluate allergic reactions or differentiate between bacteria, viral or parasitic infections.
Metabolic Panel
This blood test is also referred to as the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel or the CMP 14 (as opposed to the Basic Metabolic Panel or BMP 8). This is a 12 hour fasting test (check with your physician before fasting if you are diabetic and/or pregnant). This test include the following:
Glucose
Urea Nitrogen (BUN): A waste product of the liver excreted by the kidneys. High values may indicate kidney malfunction and/or dehydration
Creatinine: This is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is discarded by the kidney. It is elevated in kidney disease, muscle wasting disease, and sometimes the day after strenuous physical exercise.
BUN/Creatinine Ratio: Both BUN and creatinine are elevated in kidney failure, but they are elevated differently depending on the cause of the failure. This ratio helps determine the type of kidney failure.
eGFR
Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride: "Electrolytes" help make up the salt balance and acid/base balance in the body. They can be affected by diuretics or water pills, high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney and lung disease. The balance among these elements is important for proper functioning of the heart and brain.
Carbon Dioxide: Part of the electrolyte pane used to detect, evaluate and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
Calcium: screens for range of conditions relating to the bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, and teeth. Blood calcium levels do not directly tell how much calcium is in the bones, but rather, how much total calcium or ionized calcium is circulating in the blood.
Albumin, Globulin and Total Protein: Measures the amount and type of protein in your blood. They are a useful index of overall health and nutrition. Abnormal results are an indicator of under nutrition, liver or kidney disease, cirrhosis, multiple meyloma, sarcoid, amyloid, lupus, and/or major infections. Globulin is the "antibody" protein important for fighting disease. If one of these values is high, but the other values are within expected ranges, the result is probably not significant, but only your physician can confirm this.
Alkaline Phosphatase: A bone and liver enzyme. High values are associated with liver and gall-bladder disease. Expect to see higher values in adolescents and pregnant or breast feeding women. Low values are probably not significant, but can only be confirmed by your physician.
Bilirubin: Primary pigment in bile. It is derived from hemoglobin and processed by the liver, and builds up when the liver is functioning poorly or when some other disorder reduces the normal flow of bile. It is increased also when there has been destruction of red blood cells.
AST & ALT: Injury to cells releases these enzymes into the blood. Liver disease and heart attacks, as well as serious physical injury can cause elevation of these values. Low values are probably not significant, but can only be confirmed by your physician.
