Metabolic Health

Folates function as cofactors in the transfer and utilization of one carbon groups. These reactions are essential for the production of purines and pyrimidines for DNA synthesis. Folates also play a major role in the regeneration of methionine from h

The adiponectin blood test determines the levels of adiponectin in blood. It is used to diagnose metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin is a hormone that is released from fat cells and will help to control the inflammation of tissue

This test is useful in the management of patients with relatively early diabetes mellitus to assist in avoiding or delaying the onset of diabetic renal disease. Albumin/Creatinine Ratio is the first method of preference to detect elevated protein.

Thyroglobulin antibodies are antibodies that recognize and bind to thyroglobulin, interfering with its function. Thyroglobulin is critical for thyroid hormone production, so thyroglobulin antibodies usually indicate thyroid disease.

Other names: insulin C-peptide, connecting peptide insulin, proinsulin C-peptide C-peptide is a substance made in the pancreas, along with insulin. What is insulin? Insulin is a hormone that controls the body's glucose (blood sugar) leve

Measuring C-peptide is an accurate way to find out how much insulin your body is making. These are the reference ranges for C-Peptide, Ultrasensitive: Adults 8:00 a.m. fasting: 0.4 - 2.1 ng/mL 2 Hours Post Prandial (Sustacal): 1.2

Ceruloplasmin is a copper-containing enzyme that plays a role in the body's iron metabolism. This test measures the amount of ceruloplasmin in the blood.

Creatinine is the endproduct of creatine metabolism. Creatine is present primarily in muscle and the amount of creatinine produced is related to total skeletal muscle mass. Daily creatinine production is fairly constant except when there is massive i

Cyclic AMP (Cyclic adenosine-3′-5′-monophosphate) serves as a 2nd messenger in signal transmission of many hormones, such as adrenaline, ACTH, LH, FSH, glucagon, and calcitonin.

What is dihydrotestosterone? Dihydrotestosterone (=DHT) is a hormone that contributes to the development of sexual structures and characteristics in people assigned male at birth. When DHT levels are too high or too low, it can cause different iss

Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone that stimulates the development of male characteristics

Your estimated Average Glucose (eAG) number is calculated from the result of your A1c test. Like the A1c, the eAG shows what your average blood sugars have been over the previous 2 to 3 months, but instead of a percentage, the eAG is in the same unit

The free androgen index is a measure of the biologically active testosterone in the blood. It is a ratio of the total testosterone to the level of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone in humans. A healthcare professional may order a free testosterone blood test if you’re experiencing sexual problems or a secondary condition, like hyperthyroidism, is suspected.  

Although Testosterone is generally viewed as a male-only hormone, women’s ovaries also make small amounts of testosterone. It helps many organs and body processes in women. Free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone are also ref

Although Testosterone is generally viewed as a male-only hormone, women’s ovaries also make small amounts of testosterone. It helps many organs and body processes in women. Free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone are also ref

Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. The term “free thyroxine” means the measured thyroxine that is not bound to proteins in the blood.

The free T4 index (FTI) is a blood test used to diagnose thyroid disorders. T4, also called thyroxine, is a thyroid hormone. The test measures how much of it is in your blood to help determine whether your thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism

Fructosamine is found in the plasma of both normal and diabetic individuals. “Fructosamine” is the term used to describe proteins that have been glycated (ie, are derivatives of the nonenzymatic reaction product of glucose and albumin). I

Glutamic acid decarboxylase is an enzyme found in brain and pancreas that converts glutamic acid (glutamate) into GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The glutamic acid decarboxylase test is a test that looks for antibodies directed against the glut

Glycated Serum Protein (GSP) is the amount of glucose attached to total serum proteins that indicate the average amount of glucose in the blood over the previous two to three weeks. Glycated Serum Protein (GSP) serves as a 2-3 week indicator of av

The A1C test—also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test—is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. It’s one of the commonly used tests to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, and i

HOMA-IR stands for "Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance". The meaningful part of the acronym is “insulin resistance”. It marks for both the presence and extent of any insulin resistance that you might currentl

What is the HOMA-S test? The HOMA-S test is a quanatitative insulin sensitivity check index/homeostasis model assessment for insulin sensitivity. The HOMA-S test is a valuable tool for predicting the risk of developing diabetes and other metabo

Homocysteine is an amino acid that requires vitamin B12 and folate to be used by our bodies. As such, homocysteine blood tests are often ordered to identify vitamin B12 / folate deficiency. Rarely, an abnormally high level of homocysteine indicate

Insulin is considered to be the main anabolic hormone of the body, and its primary function is to facilitate the absorption of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body (muscular and fat), as well as the liver.  ----------------

The anti-insulin antibody test checks to see if your body has produced antibodies against insulin. Antibodies are proteins the body produces to protect itself when it detects anything "foreign," such as a virus or transplanted organ.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is a hormone that is similar in structure to insulin and works with Growth Hormone to reproduce and regenerate cells. Growth Hormone, made by the pituitary gland, stimulates the liver to produce

Iodine is an essential element that is required for thyroid hormone production.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) helps the body maintain stable levels of calcium in the blood. It is part of a feedback loop that includes calcium, PTH, vitamin D, and, to some extent, phosphorus (phosphate) and magnesium. Conditions and diseases that disr

Pregnenolone is a chemical substance that is a precursor to all steroid hormones.

Proinsulin is the precursor of insulin and C-peptide. Following synthesis, proinsulin is packaged into secretory granules, where it is processed to C-peptide and insulin by prohormone convertases and carboxypeptidase E. Only 1% to 3% of proinsulin

Reverse T3 is a biologically inactive thyroid hormone; however, it does block the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3). Higher levels of reverse T3 can decrease the effect of thyroid hormone.

Sex hormone-binding globulin is a protein that binds primarily to testosterone, making it biologically unusable by our bodies. For this reason, an abnormal level of SHBG indicates that too much or too little testosterone is present in the tissues. In

A T3 (=triiodothyronine) test is a blood test that helps diagnose thyroid conditions, specifically hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Healthcare providers typically order this test alongside other thyroid function tests. High or low T3 levels m

Thyroxine or T4 is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. The term “free T4” means measured T4 that is not bound to proteins in the blood.

Thyroxine (T4) is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It is sometimes called total thyroxine because it includes both free T4 and T4 bound to proteins.

The T7 Index is used to calculate Free T4, one of the two active thyroid hormones in your bloodstream.

Free and weakly bound testosterone (FWBT), also referred to as bioavailable testosterone, is thought to reflect an individual's biologically active, circulating testosterone. FWBT includes free testosterone and testosterone that is bound to album

Free and weakly bound testosterone (FWBT), also referred to as bioavailable testosterone, is thought to reflect an individual's biologically active, circulating testosterone. FWBT includes free testosterone and testosterone that is bound to album

Free and weakly bound testosterone (FWBT), also referred to as bioavailable testosterone, is thought to reflect an individual's biologically active, circulating testosterone. FWBT includes free testosterone and testosterone that is bound to album

This test assesses the level of the hormone testosterone in your bloodstream. Testosterone, an androgen, is primarily responsible for the development of male characteristics. It is synthesized in the testes for males, ovaries for females, and the adr

Testosterone is a male sex hormone or androgen. It is generally low in women and children, but it can be elevated in certain diseases. A certain level of testosterone is important for development and maturation in both genders.

Testosterone is the main hormone responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics in men. Testosterone is produced mainly in the testicles and partially by the adrenal glands. In women, low levels of testosterone are produced by the a

Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced in a woman’s ovaries in small amounts as well. Combined with estrogen, the female sex hormone, testosterone helps with the growth, maintenance, and repair of a woman’s reproductive tissues, bone

Thyroglobulin is the protein precursor of thyroid hormone and is made by normal well differentiated benign thyroid cells or thyroid cancer cells.

What is the Thyroglobulin Antibody test? → A thyroglobulin antibody test looks for certain antibodies that attack the thyroid. The presence of thyroglobulin antibodies may indicate an autoimmune condition. → A thyroglobulin antib

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is an enzyme that is critical for to thyroid hormone synthesis in the thyroid gland. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies bind to and block the action of TPO, resulting in decreases in thyroid hormone levels. The presence of T

The measurement of thyroid stimulating autoantibodies, in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings, is used as an aid in the diagnosis of patients suspected of having Graves' disease.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is one of the most important hormones currently used to diagnose thyroid abnormalities. This glycoprotein is secreted by the pituitary and stimulates release of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) from the thyro

The Thyrotropin Receptor Ab test detects the autoantibody that's associated with Graves' disease. An antibody is a specialized protein made by your immune system. Antibodies are custom made to kill pathogens in your body, such as viruses or b

Thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) is produced in the liver and is the primary circulating (transport) protein that binds thyroid hormones3,5,3’-triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and carries them in the bloodstream.

TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide) is a metabolite derived from gut bacteria. This test can powerfully predict future risk for heart attack, stroke, and death in people who appear otherwise healthy. TMAO is a compound produced by the liver after i

Triiodothyronine or T3 is the most biologically active thyroid hormone in humans. It is called total T3 because it includes both free T3 and T3 bound to proteins.

T3 Uptake - T3 Uptake (T3U) is used with measurement of Thyroxine (T4) to calculate the Free T4 Index. The calculated Free T4 is useful in the assessment of thyroid diseases. Elevations are associated with Hyperthyroidism or Thyroid Hormone Resistanc

Triiodothyronine (T3) is the most biologically active thyroid hormone in humans. It is sometimes called total triiodothyronine because it includes both free triiodothyronine and triiodothyronine bound to proteins.

TSH receptor antibodies are antibodies that are often present in the serum of patients with Graves’ disease that are directed against the TSH receptor, often causing stimulation of this receptor with resulting hyperthyroidism. What is G