What does this marker measure?
The Blood-Brain Barrier Protein IgG + IgA marker assesses whether your immune system is producing antibodies (IgG and IgA) against specific structural proteins that make up the blood-brain barrier.

• IgG antibodies reflect systemic or long-term immune responses.

• IgA antibodies reflect mucosal or surface-level immune activity, often originating in barrier tissues such as the gut, lung, or brain lining.

Elevated levels of these antibodies suggest that the immune system has been exposed to and is reacting against blood-brain barrier proteins, which typically should be hidden from immune surveillance. This is a strong indication of BBB disruption, either past or ongoing.

What Does This Marker Measure?
The Blood-Brain Barrier Protein IgM marker detects IgM-class antibodies against structural proteins of the blood-brain barrier. This test specifically measures the immune system’s early-stage response to damage or dysfunction in the BBB.

• IgM is the first antibody type produced in an immune response.

• It typically reflects acute or recent immune activation, often in response to new or ongoing tissue damage.

• In the context of the BBB, IgM antibodies suggest that the immune system has been recently exposed to normally hidden proteins from the brain’s protective lining—indicating a possible breach or compromise in the barrier.

BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, is used predominantly to measure kidney function. BUN reflects the ratio between the production and clearance of urea in the body. Urea is formed almost entirely by the liver from both protein metabolism and protein digestion. The amount of urea excreted as BUN varies with the amount of dietary protein intake.

Increased BUN levels are a sign of kidney dysfunction. An increased BUN level may be due to increased production of urea by the liver or decreased excretion by the kidney. Increased BUN levels are also associated with dehydration and hypochlorhydria.

Decreased BUN levels are associated with malabsorption and a diet low in protein.

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a physical barrier formed by the arrangement of endothelial cells and tight junctions that line the capillaries which supply blood to the brain. The tissue proteins of the BBB are also present in the enteric nervous system (ENS). The complex ENS network resides in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, the myenteric plexus and the submucosal plexus.

The ENS controls aspects of gut function, including motility, microvascular circulation, epithelial secretion of fluid, ions and bioactive peptides and intestinal barrier function.

Associated With: Individuals training for professional sports (saliva), Inflammatory bowel disease (saliva), Traumatic brain injury (serum)

BMI Categories:
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
Overweight = 25–29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Tracking body weight over time is crucial for maintaining and improving health for several reasons.

Firstly, it allows for the early detection of unhealthy trends, such as rapid weight gain or loss, which can be indicators of underlying health issues like hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. Regular monitoring helps in maintaining a healthy weight, a key factor in preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Additionally, it enables individuals to assess the effectiveness of their dietary and exercise regimes, guiding necessary adjustments for achieving personal health goals. This tracking also provides motivational feedback, as visible changes in weight can reinforce healthy lifestyle choices.

Furthermore, it aids healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about a patient's health and in customizing treatment plans. In essence, regular weight tracking is a simple yet powerful tool for promoting long-term health and well-being.

The Bone Fraction on Labcorp's Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Isoenzyme Panel represents the portion of alkaline phosphatase originating from bone tissue. Elevated levels of the bone fraction may indicate conditions such as Paget's disease, osteomalacia, or bone metastases, which involve increased bone turnover. This isoenzyme is specifically measured to differentiate the source of elevated ALP levels, allowing healthcare providers to pinpoint bone-related disorders. The ALP isoenzyme panel utilizes electrophoresis or other advanced techniques to separate and identify different ALP isoenzymes, providing valuable insights into bone health. By evaluating the bone fraction, clinicians can accurately diagnose bone diseases and guide appropriate treatment.

Bone isoenzymes, specifically bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), are important biomarkers used to assess bone metabolism and turnover. These enzymes play a crucial role in bone formation and mineralization processes.

Bone isoenzymes are a subset of alkaline phosphatases (ALP), which are hydrolytic enzymes that function in an alkaline environment. They are primarily produced by osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, and are present in the plasma membrane of these cells. The main function of bone isoenzymes is to hydrolyze phosphates, which are then used in the formation of proteins, nucleotides, and the mineralization of bone.

Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, a worldwide infectious disease that is transmitted from person to person by droplet infection. Especially children at the age of 0-4 years are affected, and the mortality of infected infants is high.

Bordetella pertussis is the bacterium responsible for causing whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness. The Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) IgG antibody test is an immunoassay (IA) designed to detect the presence of IgG antibodies against the pertussis toxin. These antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to an infection with Bordetella pertussis or, in some cases, following vaccination.

The presence of IgG antibodies to the pertussis toxin can indicate either a past infection with Bordetella pertussis or a response to a recent vaccination, as the pertussis vaccine (DTP or DTaP) contains inactivated components of the toxin. This marker is particularly useful for diagnosing recent or past infections, as well as for assessing immunity in individuals who may have been vaccinated or exposed to the bacteria.

Boron is normally found in hair but the correlations among Boron absorption, and tissue and hair levels of Boron have yet to be determined. Boron has a low order of toxicity, but excessive intake induces riboflavinuria. Boron is frequently high in hair in association with high levels of potentially toxic elements (i.e. lead, mercury, and cadmium) and exposure to toxic chemicals. Exogenous contamination of hair with B is possible since B is present in some soap. Boron is also present in some cleaners, cements, ceramics and glass.

Borrelia afzelii is a species of Borrelia, a bacterium that can infect various species of vertebrates and invertebrates.

B. afzelii and B. garinii are the primary causes of Lyme disease in Europe and Asia. Coinfection by this Borrelia species with one or more pathogens can occur, carried by the vector, which appears to be in most cases the tick.

Borrelia afzelii is a species of Borrelia, a bacterium that can infect various species of vertebrates and invertebrates. B. afzelii and B. garinii are the primary causes of Lyme disease in Europe and Asia.

Coinfection by this Borrelia species with one or more pathogens can occur, carried by the vector, which appears to be in most cases the tick. In Europe the related genospecies Borrelia afzelii is associated with both EM and acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA), and several European studies have found compelling evidence for B. afzelii infection in patients with morphea.