When you visit your physician for your annual checkup, it’s essential to be proactive about your health. One way to do this is by discussing a set of crucial laboratory tests that can provide valuable insights into your overall well-being. You can book a lab test at home using a lab test app for diagnostic centres without any hassle.
Complete Blood Count with Differential (CBC with Diff)
The CBC with Diff, a standard part of routine check-ups, examines various aspects of your blood to gauge your overall health. It covers hematocrit, haemoglobin, platelets (count, MPV, PDW), red blood cells (count, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, possibly reticulocyte count), and white blood cells (Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils). This test screens for blood cancers, infections, anaemia, and more. Abnormal results may prompt further investigation. Examining individual components reveals even more health insights:
- Elevated white blood cell count can signal inflammation and various conditions.
- Increased basophil percentage is linked to allergies and skin disorders.
- Abnormal eosinophil levels relate to a range of issues.
- Low lymphocyte count has been associated with depression.
- Higher monocyte percentage, even with normal white blood cell count, may increase cardiovascular disease risk.
- Chronic elevation of neutrophils is also linked to higher cardiovascular health disease risk.
Other CBC markers help identify blood-related disorders, while some, like RDW and hematocrit, have ties to conditions such as gastric ulcers, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular risk. The CBC with Diff is a vital tool for proper health assessment when interpreted by knowledgeable doctors.
Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
The Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) is another test commonly conducted during annual physicals. It assesses various markers related to liver and kidney function, acid-base balance, metabolism, electrolyte balance, and waste products. A typical CMP includes:
- Albumin
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT)
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT)
- Bilirubin
- Blood Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Calcium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Creatinine
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Total Protein
This panel provides insights into liver and kidney function, acid-base balance, and electrolyte status. Imbalances in these areas can lead to various health issues, including metabolic acidosis, which is associated with a higher risk of diabetes and insulin resistance. Abnormal CMP results often trigger further investigations to determine the underlying causes.
For example, albumin levels can provide insights into the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. The CMP offers a wealth of information that doctors can use to assess your health better.
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), Insulin, and C-Peptide
Monitoring blood glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity is essential for overall health. While the CMP measures blood sugar levels, other tests offer a broader picture. These include:
- Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C): This test assesses blood sugar regulation over a longer period by measuring the binding of sugar to haemoglobin over approximately three months.
- Insulin: Fasting insulin levels reveal your insulin secretion, which can indicate the potential for insulin resistance.
- C-Peptide: C-peptide is secreted in a manner similar to insulin and can serve as a marker for insulin levels and beta-cell function.
Maintaining optimal blood glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity is vital because poor management is associated with numerous chronic diseases, including cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and more.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for overall health, and deficiency or insufficiency can have widespread consequences. The standard test for vitamin D levels is serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), which assesses the precursor to the active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is associated with various conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, pregnancy complications, thyroid dysfunction, and more.
Regular screening for vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency allows for early detection, enabling you to make dietary and lifestyle changes or consider supplementation to reduce the risk of associated complications.
Thyroid Panel
Thyroid function is vital for overall health, as thyroid hormones play a significant role in various bodily functions. A complete thyroid panel goes beyond the standard TSH test and includes:
- Free T4
- Free T3
- Reverse T3 (RT3)
- Thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies
- Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
- TSH receptor (TR) antibodies
These additional tests help provide a detailed assessment of thyroid function and can help detect early signs of thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction is associated with numerous health issues, including atherosclerosis, cancer, mood disorders, obesity, osteoporosis, and more.
Monitoring your thyroid function annually can help identify potential problems and allow for timely intervention.
Lipid Panel with Particle Size
Cholesterol and triglyceride levels are common components of annual physicals, especially for those at high risk of heart disease. However, a lipid panel that includes information on particle size offers a more complete picture of lipid metabolism and its impact on health.
While traditional lipid panels focus on LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, the size and density of lipoprotein particles play an important role in cardiovascular risk. Smaller, denser LDL particles are more likely to contribute to atherosclerosis. A proper lipid panel can help identify these risk factors. Book a blood test at home with a help of any blood test app for a complete lipid panel right now.
Iron Panel
Balancing iron levels in the body is critical for overall health. An iron panel includes assessments of:
- Iron levels in the blood
- Ferritin (iron storage)
- Transferrin (iron transport protein)
- Total Iron-binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Unsaturated Iron-binding Capacity (UIBC)
Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia and its associated symptoms, while excess iron can cause oxidative stress and damage to DNA, lipids, and other cellular components. Regular monitoring of iron levels ensures that you maintain the right balance for optimal health.
Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, GGT)
Liver enzyme tests, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), are sensitive indicators of liver health and function. GGT is not only a liver enzyme but also plays a role in antioxidant function.
These tests provide valuable insights into liver health and can also reveal information about arterial stiffness, cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, and more. Including GGT in your liver function tests can offer a more effective assessment of your health.
Sex Hormones
Sex hormones are important in various life stages and can be influenced by lifestyle factors and environmental exposures. Monitoring sex hormones, including DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, can help detect reproductive-related issues and imbalances associated with chronic diseases.
Low or high levels of sex hormones can indicate conditions such as age-related hormonal decline, endometriosis, erectile dysfunction, fibroids, infertility, PCOS, and more. Understanding your sex hormone levels can aid in early intervention and preventive measures.
Homocysteine & High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for many chronic diseases, making tests like hs-CRP essential for detecting non-specific inflammation. Homocysteine levels also provide insights into chronic disease risk. Regular screening for these markers can help identify and manage inflammation-related health risks.
Inflammation, as measured by hs-CRP, is associated with conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to acute coronary syndrome, neurodegeneration, osteoporosis, and more.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
