General Health - Basic Lab Panel Most Popular

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: Basic Metabolic Panel, Basic Metabolic Panel BMP, BMP, Chem 7, Chemistry Panel, Chemistry Screen, SMA 7, SMAC7

Bun/Creatinine Ratio

A ratio between a person’s BUN and blood creatinine to help determine what is causing these concentrations to be higher than normal. The ratio of BUN to creatinine is usually between 10:1 and 20:1. An increased ratio may be due to a condition that causes a decrease in the flow of blood to the kidneys, such as congestive heart failure or dehydration. It may also be seen with increased protein, from gastrointestinal bleeding, or increased protein in the diet. The ratio may be decreased with liver disease (due to decrease in the formation of urea) and malnutrition.

Calcium

You have more calcium in your body than any other mineral. Calcium has many important jobs. The body stores more than 99 percent of its calcium in the bones and teeth to help make and keep them strong. The rest is throughout the body in blood, muscle and the fluid between cells. Your body needs calcium to help muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, to secrete hormones and enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system.

Carbon Dioxide

CO2 is carbon dioxide. Measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the liquid part of your blood, called the serum. In the body, most of the CO2 is in the form of a substance called bicarbonate (HCO3-). Therefore, the CO2 blood test is really a measure of your blood bicarbonate level.

Chloride

Chloride is a type of electrolyte. It works with other electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and carbon dioxide (CO2). These substances help keep the proper balance of body fluids and maintain the body's acid-base balance. This is a measure of the amount of chloride in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood.

Creatinine

The creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. This test is done to see how well your kidneys work.

Egfr African American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

Egfr Non-Afr. American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that the body needs to work normally. It helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. A diet rich in potassium helps to offset some of sodium's harmful effects on blood pressure.

Sodium

Sodium is a substance that the body needs to work properly it is vital to normal body processes, including nerve and muscle function

Urea Nitrogen (Bun)

BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen. Urea nitrogen is what forms when protein breaks down. BUN measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.

Also known as: CBC, CBC HH RBC Indices WBC Plt, Complete Blood Count (H/H, RBC, Indices, WBC, Plt)

Hematocrit

Hematocrit is a blood test that measures the percentage of the volume of whole blood that is made up of red blood cells. This measurement depends on the number of red blood cells and the size of red blood cells.

Hemoglobin

Serum hemoglobin is a blood test that measures the level of free hemoglobin in the liquid part of the blood (the serum). Free hemoglobin is the hemoglobin outside of the red blood cells. Most of the hemoglobin is found inside the red blood cells, not in the serum.

MCH

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is a calculation of the average amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin inside a red blood cell.

MCHC

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a calculation of the average percentage of hemoglobin inside a red cell.

MCV

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a measurement of the average size of RBCs.

MPV

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) - When it indicates average size of platelets are small; older platelets are generally smaller than younger ones and a low MPV may mean that a condition is affecting the production of platelets by the bone marrow. When it indicates a high number of larger, younger platelets in the blood; this may be due to the bone marrow producing and releasing platelets rapidly into circulation.

Platelet Count

A platelet count is a test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets help the blood clot. They are smaller than red or white blood cells.

RDW

Red cell distribution width (RDW), which may be included in a CBC, is a calculation of the variation in the size of RBCs.

Red Blood Cell Count

An RBC count is a blood test that tells how many red blood cells (RBCs) you have. RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. How much oxygen your body tissues get depends on how many RBCs you have and how well they work.

White Blood Cell Count

A WBC count is a test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. WBCs help fight infections. They are also called leukocytes. There are five major types of white blood cells: basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes (T cells and B cells), monocytes and neutrophils

Also known as: Iron Total

Iron, Total

Iron is a mineral that our bodies need for many functions. For example, iron is part of hemoglobin, a protein which carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our bodies. It helps our muscles store and use oxygen. Iron is also part of many other proteins and enzymes. Your body needs the right amount of iron. If you have too little iron, you may develop iron deficiency anemia. Causes of low iron levels include blood loss, poor diet, or an inability to absorb enough iron from foods. People at higher risk of having too little iron are young children and women who are pregnant or have periods.

Also known as: Lipid Panel with Ratios (fasting), Lipid Profile with Ratios (fasting), Lipids

Chol/HDLC Ratio

Cholesterol, Total

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. But if you have too much in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood and stick to the walls of your arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease. Your cholesterol levels tend to rise as you get older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that you have high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. You are likely to have high cholesterol if members of your family have it, if you are overweight or if you eat a lot of fatty foods. You can lower your cholesterol by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables. You also may need to take medicine to lower your cholesterol.

HDL Cholesterol

LDL-Cholesterol

LDL/HDL Ratio

Non HDL Cholesterol

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a form of fat and a major source of energy for the body. This test measures the amount of triglycerides in the blood. Most triglycerides are found in fat (adipose) tissue, but some triglycerides circulate in the blood to provide fuel for muscles to work. After a person eats, an increased level of triglycerides is found in the blood as the body converts the energy not needed right away into fat. Triglycerides move via the blood from the gut to adipose tissue for storage. In between meals, triglycerides are released from fat tissue to be used as an energy source for the body. Most triglycerides are carried in the blood by lipoproteins called very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). High levels of triglycerides in the blood are associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), although the reason for this is not well understood. Certain factors can contribute to high triglyceride levels and to risk of CVD, including lack of exercise, being overweight, smoking cigarettes, consuming excess alcohol, and medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Also known as: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyrotropin

TSH

A TSH test is a lab test that measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It tells the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormones into the blood.

TSH

TSH

A TSH test is a lab test that measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It tells the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormones into the blood.

TSH

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The General Health - Basic Lab Panel panel contains 5 tests with 33 biomarkers.

Brief Description: The General Health - Basic Lab panel is designed to provide a foundational assessment of an individual's health status, focusing on key indicators of metabolic function, blood health, lipid metabolism, and thyroid function. This panel is suitable for those seeking a general health check-up or baseline assessment.

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Whole Blood and Serum

Test Preparation: Patient should be fasting 9-12 hours prior to specimen collection

Specifc to TSH: Specimen collection after fluorescein dye angiography should be delayed for at least 3 days. For patients on hemodialysis, specimen collection should be delayed for 2 weeks.

According to the assay manufacturer Siemens: "Samples containing fluorescein can produce falsely depressed values when tested with the Advia Centaur TSH3 Ultra assay."

When and Why the General Health - Basic Lab Panel May Be Ordered

Healthcare providers may order this panel as part of a routine health examination, for individuals experiencing general symptoms of fatigue or malaise, or for those wishing to get an overview of their health status. It's also commonly used to monitor basic health parameters in individuals with known medical conditions or those on long-term medications.

What the General Health - Basic Lab Panel Checks For

  • Basic Metabolic Panel: Evaluates kidney function, electrolyte and acid/base balance, and glucose levels, providing insights into metabolic health and hydration status.

  • Complete Blood Count (H/H, RBC, Indices, WBC, Plt): Assesses overall blood health, including hemoglobin levels, red and white blood cell counts, and platelet levels, crucial for detecting conditions like anemia, infections, and clotting disorders.

  • Lipid Panel with Ratios: Measures cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, essential for evaluating cardiovascular risk.

  • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Serves as a primary screening tool for thyroid function, with abnormal levels indicating potential thyroid disorders.

Taking a Deeper Look

For a more comprehensive health assessment, consider upgrading to the following panels:

  • General Health - Basic Plus Lab panel: Adds a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase for liver health, Iron Total, T4 Free for a more detailed thyroid assessment, and Uric Acid for gout risk evaluation.

  • General Health - Advanced Lab panel: Incorporates all tests in the Basic Plus panel and adds Hemoglobin A1c for diabetes monitoring, hs-CRP for inflammation, Phosphate, QuestAssureD 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Total with D2 and D3 for vitamin D status, T3 Uptake, T4 Total, and a Urinalysis Macroscopic.

  • General Health - Advanced Plus Lab panel and General Health - Comprehensive Lab panel: These panels extend the evaluation further to include a wide array of tests for cardiovascular risk, hormonal health, vitamin levels, and more, offering an in-depth analysis for individuals with specific health concerns or those seeking a thorough health evaluation.

Conditions or Diseases the General Health - Basic Lab Panel Can Check For

This panel can help in the early detection and management of conditions such as kidney dysfunction, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders, and potential electrolyte imbalances.

Use of General Health - Basic Lab Panel Results by Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals use the results to evaluate general health status, identify potential health issues, guide treatment decisions, and monitor the effectiveness of interventions. The panel provides essential data for preventive health measures and aids in the early detection of common health problems.

The General Health - Basic Lab panel offers a fundamental overview of an individual's health, covering key areas such as metabolic function, blood health, lipid metabolism, and thyroid activity. It serves as a valuable tool for routine health screenings and baseline assessments, enabling healthcare providers to identify and address potential health concerns promptly. For those requiring a more detailed analysis, the upgraded panels provide a broader range of tests to meet specific health assessment needs.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.

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