Below you will find definitions of tests included in your Blood Chemistry and Urinalysis Profile.

BLOOD CHEMISTRIES PROFILE

GLUCOSE: Measures the blood sugar level Elevations are indicative of diabetes.

HEMOGLOBIN A1C: A percentage that measures your average blood sugar control over the last 2 to 3 months.

The following chart shows examples of how the hemoglobin A1C is related to your average blood sugar level:

Hemoglobin A1C                                  Average Blood Sugar

6 %                                                                          135 mg/dL

7%                                                                           170 mg/dL

8%                                                                           205 mg/dL

9%                                                                           240 mg/dL

10%                                                                        275 mg/dL

BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN): BUN is a by-product of protein metabolism and is cleared by the kidneys.  Elevations can result from any type of kidney disorder, strenuous exercise, or diuretic medications.

CREATININE: A by-product of muscle metabolism, also cleared by the kidneys.  Elevations suggest kidney or muscular disorders.  Protein diets may cause mild elevations.

URIC ACID: A by-product of protein metabolism.  Elevations are generally associated with gout, but also may be due to kidney disease and other conditions.  Asymptomatic elevations in otherwise healthy individuals are of little significance.

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE: An enzyme found primarily in the bone and liver that may indicate bone, liver or kidney disorders.  Generally higher in children than in adults because of its role in the bone making processes.  Levels may be elevated at times of pregnancy.

TOTAL BILIRUBIN: A by-product of the breakdown of old red blood cells and is made into a water soluble form in the liver.  Elevations may be due to anemia, chronic liver disease, and carcinoma.

SGOT (AST): Enzyme which has three main sources, skeletal muscle, heart muscle and liver tissue.  Elevations can be due to disease or trauma to the muscles, to heart damage, and to various liver diseases.  SGOT may also be elevated in the presence of certain medications.

SGPT (ALT): An enzyme present in many tissues including the liver.  Elevations occur in acute viral hepatitis and other liver disorders.  SGPT may also be elevated in the presence of certain medications.

GAMMA GLUTAMYLTRANSFERASE (GGT): A liver enzyme that is present in various tissues.  Elevations may indicate hepatitis, heavy alcohol consumption or the use of certain medications.

TOTAL PROTEIN: Very low values may be associated with peripheral edema or malnutrition.  High values may suggest dehydration, chronic inflammation.

ALBUMIN: Higher values represent dehydration, while lower values are generally a result of renal or hepatic problems.

GLOBULIN: High levels of globulin are found in sever liver disease, some infectious diseases and multiple myelomas.

CALCIUM: Calcium levels reflect the metabolic turnover of bone.

LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE (LDH): The enzyme LDH is found in many body tissues especially the heart, kidney and liver.  An extreme rise in the enzyme level may be associated with anemias, hepatic disease, myocardial or pulmonary infarction.

PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA): The measurement of a glycoprotein protease found only in prostate tissue.  Elevations can occur with benign prostate hypertrophy, inflammation, prostatis, or prostate cancer.

CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN (CEA): CEA is a protein that is normally not able to be detected in the blood of a healthy person.  When the protein appears in the blood of an adult, it can indicate cancer, but it will not indicate which kind of cancer is present.  It can also indicate benign conditions.

CARDIAC RISK PROFILE

CHOLESTEROL:     Cholesterol is a blood lipid (fat) which has a direct correlation with the chances of developing coronary heart disease.  Elevated cholesterol levels can be hereditary or from excess dietary intake of cholesterol rich foods.

HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (HDL): High density lipoprotein facilitate the transport of lipids (fats) to bodily tissues.  HDL removes excess cholesterol from arteries, inhibiting the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.  HDL can be increased by regular exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, and reduction of fat intake.

LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (LDL): Low density lipoprotein is known as the “bad” cholesterol.  High levels of LDL carry cholesterol through the blood, “painting” it on arteries in combination of calcium and plaques.

VERY LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (VLDL): Circulating fatty acids are converted by the liver to form triglycerides that are packaged with apoprotein and cholesterol which are transported as very low density lipoproteins in the blood.  These tests are specifically calculated to determine the risk of coronary heart disease.

TRIGLYCERIDES: A blood lipid (fat) derived primarily from carbohydrate intake.  High levels may be associated with various disorders, including diabetes, alcohol abuse, and pancreatitis.  Readings are extremely sensitive to diet.

CHOLESTEROL/HDL RATION: Cholesterol reading divided by the HDL reading.  The lower the ration, the lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

LDL/HDL RATION: Low Density Lipoprotein divided by High Density Lipoprotein.  The higher this ration, the greater the risk for coronary atherosclerosis.

URINE PROFILE

URINE SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Low specific gravity is characteristic of diabetes or tubular necrosis, while high values may occur with dehydration, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure or shock.

URINE CREATININE: Creatinine levels primarily measure renal function.  Decreased levels may indicate impaired renal perfusion, urinary tract obstruction, or kidney related disease.

URINE GLUCOSE: Sugar glucose in the urine.  Presence is generally though to be the result of diabetes.

URINE TOTAL PROTEIN: Albumin or white blood cells in the urine.  Presence may indicate a kidney infection, prostate infection, vaginal infection, or extreme muscular exertion.

URINE RED BLOOD COUNT: Red blood cells in the urine.  Presence can indicate diseases, structural abnormalities, or injury to the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate or urethra.

URINE WHITE BLOOD COUNT: Numerous white cells in the urine usually imply urinary tract inflammation such as cystitis or pyelonephritis.  Renal infection is suggested by the presence of white cells and white cell casts.