Albumin is one of the proteins found in your blood. If albumin shows up in your urine, it may be a sign of kidney damage.

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. The recommended method to evaluate albuminuria is to measure the Albumin/Creatinine Ratio in a spot urine sample.

The major proteins seen in the serum are albumin and globulin-the latter being primarily alpha 1 and alpha 2 globulin, beta globulin and gamma globulin. Albumin accounts for more than 50% of the total serum proteins. The albumin to globulin (A/G) ratio has been used as an index of disease state, however, it is not a specific marker for disease because it does not indicate which specific proteins are altered. The normal A/G ratio is 0.8-2.0. The albumin/globulin ratio is used to try to identify causes of change in total serum protein. It will go out of the normal range if one component increases or decreases relative to the other. Hence it is important to look at changes in the individual components (albumin and globulins) as well as the ratio.

The IBD Expanded Panel test offers three novel markers:

- antichitobioside IgA (ACCA),

- antilaminaribioside IgG (ALCA),

- antimannobioside IgG (AMCA),

together with anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae IgG (gASCA) and pANCA.

Aldolase is an enzyme that participates in glycolysis, which is the pathway for metabolizing glucose into energy. Elevated levels of aldolase in the blood occur in diseases of muscle including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis.

The aldosterone to renin ratio blood test measures the amount of aldosterone divided by the amount of renin in the blood plasma. The test determines whether or not primary hyperaldosteronism is present and causing high blood pressure.

Aldosterone is a mineralcoritcoid and a hormone. It allows the transport of sodium across the cell membrane. Aldosterone is important in blood pressure regulation and also for the volume of blood found in the blood vessels.

Aldosterone is a mineralcoritcoid and a hormone. It allows the transport of sodium across the cell membrane. This is especially important in the kidney (distal tubule). Because of its function, aldosterone is important in blood pressure regulation and also for the volume of blood found in the blood vessels. Potassium is an antagonist to sodium. If potassium is high, sodium levels will be low. When potassium is found high in the plasma of the blood, the adrenals step in and synthesize aldosterone. The synthesis of aldosterone is taken care of in the body primarily by the renin-angiotensin system.

Aldosterone is a vital hormone for maintaining proper blood pressure and electrolyte balance. It regulates sodium and potassium levels in the body, ensuring that the correct amount of sodium is retained, and excess potassium is excreted through the kidneys. The synthesis of aldosterone is controlled by the renin-angiotensin system, which activates in response to low blood pressure or high potassium levels. Maintaining optimal aldosterone levels is crucial for overall cardiovascular health and preventing imbalances that can lead to conditions like hypertension, heart disease, or electrolyte disturbances.

The aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR), also known as the aldosterone plasma renin activity (PRA) ratio, is a critical diagnostic tool used in the evaluation of primary aldosteronism, a condition characterized by excessive production of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal glands.

Alistipes is a genus of anaerobic gut bacteria that plays a complex role in human health. Depending on context, elevated or low levels may be associated with gut dysbiosis, inflammation, metabolic imbalance, or altered gut–brain signaling, making it an important marker on comprehensive stool tests.

- Alistipes does not contribute significantly to short chain fatty acid production.

- A diet rich in animal protein and fat increases the abundance of Alistipes.

- High abundance of Alistipes was identified as a possible predictor of successful weight loss.

- Alistipes may positively correlate with depression.

Alistipes does not contribute significantly to short chain fatty acid production. A diet rich in animal protein and fat increases the abundance of Alistipes. High abundance of Alistipes was identified as a possible predictor of successful weight loss. Increased abundance of Alistipes has been correlated with a greater frequency of pain in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome patients.

What Is Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase?

Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP or BSAP) is an enzyme produced primarily by osteoblasts, the cells responsible for building new bone. It is a specific isoenzyme of the broader alkaline phosphatase (ALP) family, which includes enzymes from the liver, intestines, kidneys, and placenta.

Unlike total ALP, which reflects contributions from various organs, BAP directly reflects bone metabolism. Measuring BAP levels in the blood provides a more accurate picture of bone turnover, which is critical in diagnosing and monitoring bone-related conditions.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in your liver, bones, and bile ducts. It plays an important role in bone formation and liver function. The ALP blood test helps evaluate conditions affecting the liver, bile ducts, or bones.

High ALP levels may suggest bile duct blockage, liver disease, vitamin D deficiency, or increased bone turnover (such as during growth or bone healing). Low ALP may be related to nutrient deficiencies, thyroid issues, or rare genetic conditions affecting bone strength.

ALP is usually interpreted alongside other tests like GGT, AST, ALT, vitamin D, and calcium to help identify the cause of abnormal results.

Allo-Tetrahydrocorticosterone (5α-THB) is a significant biomarker in dried urine panel analysis, offering vital insights into the body's hormonal balance and stress response. As a metabolite of cortisol, 5α-THB is crucial in understanding the body's glucocorticoid activity, a fundamental aspect of the stress response mechanism. Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, is known as the "stress hormone," playing a pivotal role in various physiological processes including metabolism regulation, immune response modulation, and stress adaptation. In the metabolic pathway, cortisol is reduced to tetrahydrocortisol (THF) and subsequently transformed into 5α-THB. This conversion is catalyzed by the enzyme 5α-reductase, which also participates in other critical physiological processes such as androgen metabolism.

Metabolized cortisol is the sum of a-tetrahydrocortisol (a-THF), b-tetrahydrocortisol (b-THF), and b-tetrahydrocortisone (b-THE). They are a good indication of the total cortisol output from the adrenal gland or clearance out the body.

This marker is part of the "17-Hydroxysteroids" group. Please refer to the "17-Hydroxysteroids, Total" marker.