Blood Health

Your blood consists of two main components: the cellular components (red blood cells, white blood cells, and the cell fragments known as platelets); and the liquid component, called plasma. Together, these two parts of the blood are responsible for many functions, including oxygen transport, temperature regulation, blood clotting, and immune defense.

Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, Serum

Optimal range: 101 - 187 mg/dL

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a hereditary disorder in which a lack or low level of the enzyme alpha-1 antitrypsin damages the lungs and liver.

LEARN MORE

Ammonia

Optimal range: 11 - 55 µmol/L

Ammonia is a waste product naturally produced in the body. It primarily comes from the digestion of protein by bacteria in the intestines.

LEARN MORE

Angiotensin-1-Converting Enzyme

Optimal range: 9 - 67 U/L

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is an enzyme that helps regulate blood pressure.

An increased blood level of ACE is sometimes found in sarcoidosis, a systemic disorder of unknown cause that often affects the lungs but may also affect many other body organs, including the eyes, skin, nerves, liver, and heart.

LEARN MORE

Beta-2 Glycoprotein I Ab, IgA

Optimal range: 0 - 26 U/mL

Beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibody is an autoantibody that is associated with inappropriate blood clotting. This test detects and measures one class (IgA) of beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies.

LEARN MORE

Beta-2 Glycoprotein I, IgG

Optimal range: 0 - 21 SGU

The assay contributes to the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The clinical symptoms of APS alone are not sufficiently specific to make a definitive diagnosis. Laboratory tests thus play an important role in the diagnosis of the disease. In patients with APS, autoantibodies are formed that bind to phospholipids like cardiolipin or to phospholipid-binding proteins like beta-2-glycoprotein.

Detection of these autoantibodies is an integral part of the classification criteria issued by the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

Beta-2-glycoprotein I is a 50 KD protein cofactor required by anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) to bind to cardiolipin and other phospholipid molecules.

LEARN MORE

Beta-2 Glycoprotein I, IgM

Optimal range: 0 - 33 SMU

The assay contributes to the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The clinical symptoms of APS alone are not sufficiently specific to make a definitive diagnosis. Laboratory tests thus play an important role in the diagnosis of the disease. In patients with APS, autoantibodies are formed that bind to phospholipids like cardiolipin or to phospholipid-binding proteins like beta-2-glycoprotein.

Detection of these autoantibodies is an integral part of the classification criteria issued by the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

Beta-2-glycoprotein I is a 50 KD protein cofactor required by anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) to bind to cardiolipin and other phospholipid molecules.

LEARN MORE

Bicarbonate (HCO3), Serum

Optimal range: 22 - 29 mmol/L

The bicarbonate content of serum or plasma is a significant indicator of electrolyte dispersion and anion deficit. Together with pH determination, bicarbonate measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous potentially serious disorders associated with acid-base imbalance in the respiratory and metabolic systems. Some of these conditions are diarrhea, renal tubular acidosis, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, hyperkalemic acidosis, renal failure, and ketoacidosis.

LEARN MORE

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Optimal range: 0 - 3 mg/L

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a general indicator of inflammation in the body. The inflammation can be acute and caused by infection or injury. Inflammation can also be chronic, which typically points toward more serious diseases.  High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) tests are commonly ordered to determine your risk of cardiovascular disease. 

LEARN MORE

D-Dimer

Optimal range: 0 - 0.49 mg/L FEU

D-Dimer is a protein fragment (small piece) that's made when a blood clot dissolves in your body.

LEARN MORE

Erythropoietin (EPO), Serum

Optimal range: 2.6 - 18.5 mIU/ml

Erythropoietin, also known as EPO, is a hormone that the kidneys produce to stimulate production and maintenance of crucial red blood cells. The hormone does this in two ways: First, it stimulates bone marrow cells to produce red blood cells. Then, it works to protect the cells from destruction once they are in the body.

LEARN MORE

Factor IX Activity

Optimal range: 60 - 177 %

The Factor IX Activity assay is a blood test that measures the activity of factor IX. This is one of the proteins in the body that helps the blood clot.

LEARN MORE

Factor VII Activity

Optimal range: 51 - 186 %

The factor VII assay is a blood test to measure the activity of factor VII. This is one of the proteins in the body that helps the blood clot.

LEARN MORE

Factor VIII Activity

Optimal range: 56 - 140 %

This test measures the activity of factor VIII, a blood-clotting protein. The test can find out whether you have hemophilia A or another clotting disorder. Because blood-clotting proteins work together to stop bleeding, the test may be done as part of an overall screening for the proteins involved in clotting.

LEARN MORE

Factor X Activity

Optimal range: 76 - 183 %

The factor X assay is a blood test to measure the activity of factor X -- one of the substances involved in blood clotting (coagulation).

LEARN MORE

Factor XI Activity

Optimal range: 60 - 150 %

Ferritin

Optimal range: 30 - 400 µg/dL

Ferritin is a protein that serves as a storehouse for iron in the body. When iron supplies dwindle, ferritin releases some into the blood. Therefore, a blood ferritin test is an indication of how much iron is stored in the body. Iron is used primarily by red blood cells to carry oxygen to other cells, and as such Ferritin is vital to blood health. 

LEARN MORE

Ferritin (female range)

Optimal range: 13 - 150 ng/mL

Ferritin is a protein that serves as a storehouse for iron in the body.

When iron supplies dwindle, ferritin releases some into the blood. Therefore, a blood ferritin test is an indication of how much iron is stored in the body. Iron is used primarily by red blood cells to carry oxygen to other cells, and as such Ferritin is vital to blood health. 

LEARN MORE

Fibrinogen Activity

Optimal range: 193 - 507 mg/dL

It’s used to determine the level of fibrinogen in your blood. Fibrinogen, or factor I, is a blood plasma protein that’s made in the liver. Fibrinogen is one of 13 coagulation factors responsible for normal blood clotting.

LEARN MORE

Fibrinogen Antigen

Optimal range: 149 - 353 mg/dL

Fibrinogen is a soluble protein in the plasma that is broken down to fibrin by the enzyme thrombin to form clots.

LEARN MORE

Haptoglobin

Optimal range: 33 - 346 mg/dL

Haptoglobin is a protein that your liver produces. It combines with hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to your organs and tissues via the red blood cells.  The haptoglobin test is a test for hemolytic anemia.

LEARN MORE

Immature Platelet Fraction

Optimal range: 0 - 7.2 %

A useful marker for identifying the cause of thrombocytopenia and predicting platelet recovery.

LEARN MORE

Iron

Optimal range: 27 - 159 µg/dL

Iron - the basics:

- Iron is supplied by the diet. 

- As much as 70% of the iron in the body is found in the hemoglobin of the red blood cells (RBCs). 

- The other 30% is stored in the form of ferritin and hemosiderin (=iron-storage complex within cells, not widely available). 

- About 10% of the ingested iron is absorbed in the small intestine and transported to the plasma.

- Abnormal levels of iron are characteristic of many diseases, including iron-deficiency anemia and hemochromatosis (=Iron overload). 

LEARN MORE

IRON (Serum)

Optimal range: 9 - 30.4 umol/L

Iron is an essential element required for the production of hemoglobin. Without it, red blood cells cannot reproduce in the body. Doctors are also finding a connection of iron to hair regrowth in the body. 

LEARN MORE

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH or LD)

Optimal range: 121 - 224 U/L

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme that helps the process of turning sugar into energy for your cells to use. LDH is present in many kinds of organs and tissues throughout the body, including the liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys, skeletal muscles, brain, and blood cells.

Lactate dehydrogenase may be elevated due to liver disease, hypothyroidism, skeletal muscle damage, anemia (hemolytic, pernicious), fractures. May be decreased due to reactive hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, ketosis.

LEARN MORE

Large Unstained Cells (LUC)

Optimal range: 0 - 0.4 x 10E3/ml

Large unstained cells (LUC) are cells that are activated lymphocytes and peroxidase-negative cells. They are not stem cells, normal lymphocytes (white blood cells) or virocytes. They may indicate viral infections or inflammation.

LEARN MORE

Large Unstained Cells (Percent)

Optimal range: 0 - 4.5 %

Large unstained cells (LUC) are cells that are activated lymphocytes and peroxidase-negative cells. They are not stem cells, normal lymphocytes (white blood cells) or virocytes. They may indicate viral infections or inflammation.

LEARN MORE

Magnesium, RBC

Optimal range: 4.2 - 6.8 mg/dL

Hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body depend on magnesium for energy production, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and blood vessel function. A deficiency of this critical element within the cell may be seen with the RBC magnesium test.

LEARN MORE

Nucleated red blood cell (NRBC)

Optimal range: 0 - 0.0001 / 100 WBCs

The term 'NRBC' – 'nucleated red blood cells' – refers to precursor cells of the red blood cell lineage which still contain a nucleus.

LEARN MORE

Plateletcrit (PCT)

Optimal range: 0.22 - 0.24 %

PCT is the volume occupied by platelets in the blood as a percentage and calculated according to the formula PCT = platelet count × MPV / 10,000 (25-27).

LEARN MORE

PTT-LA Screen

Optimal range: 0 - 40 seconds

PTT-LA screen helps to help investigate the cause of a blood clot (thrombotic episode); to evaluate a prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT); to help determine the cause of recurrent miscarriages, or as part of an evaluation for antiphospholipid syndrome; the tests are not used to diagnose the chronic autoimmune disorder systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus.

LEARN MORE

Reticulocyte Count

Optimal range: 0.6 - 2.6 %

Reticulocytes are newly produced, relatively immature red blood cells (RBCs). A reticulocyte test determines the number and/or percentage of reticulocytes in the blood and is a reflection of recent bone marrow function or activity.

LEARN MORE

Reticulocyte, Absolute

Optimal range: 25000 - 90000 cells/uL

Reticulocytes are red blood cells that are still developing. They are also known as immature red blood cells. Reticulocytes are made in the bone marrow and sent into the bloodstream. About two days after they form, they develop into mature red blood cells. These red blood cells move oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body.

LEARN MORE

Thrombocytes

Optimal range: 150 - 400 µl

Thrombocytes are one of three types of blood cell found in our bodies. Along with red blood cells and white blood cells, thrombocyte levels are assessed with a comprehensive blood count, which can be done as a part of a general health check up or in response to specific symptoms.

LEARN MORE

Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)

Optimal range: 250 - 450 ug/dL

Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is a blood test to see if you have too much or too little iron in the blood. Iron is vital in that it transports oxygen around the body. Frequently, a TIBC is ordered along with several other tests to determine the cause of conditions like anemia or to assess blood health in general.

LEARN MORE

Transferrin

Optimal range: 200 - 390 mg/dL

Transferrin is the main protein in the blood that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. A transferrin test directly measures the level in the blood.

LEARN MORE

Transferrin saturation (TSAT) is the ratio of serum iron and total iron-binding capacity. All three measurements are used to help determine the cause of iron levels that are abnormally high or abnormally low. TS may also be used to identify the presence and type of anemia.

LEARN MORE

UIBC

Optimal range: 131 - 425 µg/dL

Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) is a blood test to see if you have too much or too little iron in the blood. Iron is vital in that it transports oxygen around the body. Frequently, A UIBC is ordered along with several other tests to determine the cause of conditions like anemia or to assess blood health in general.

LEARN MORE