Protein, Gloublin and Albumin - 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 A/G ratio can be decreased in response to a low albumin or to elevated globulins. Total globulins may be increased in some chronic inflammatory diseases (TB, syphilis) multiple myeloma, collagen disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.  Decreased levels are seen in hepatic dysfunction, renal disease and various neoplasms.

This panel includes blood tests that are related to inflammation and certain diseases.  Blood tests included are: CRP high sensitivity, CPK, LDH, Ferritin, Homocysteine and ESR

Includes liver and kidney function, glucose and electrolytes

The volume measurement, or hct blood test, is the proportion of blood that the red blood cells take up. Hemoglobin, on the other hand, is a density or concentration measurement and is expressed in grams per liter or deciliter. (Hemoglobin is, if you will recall from your high school biology, the iron-based protein that transports oxygen.) RBC is a simple count and is usually expressed as the number of million red blood cells that you have per microliter. Usually, hematocrit is three times the amount of hemoglobin.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increases hematocrit in most men.  Read more about how to decrease hematocrit.

NOTE: Hematocrit is also part of the CBC panel, so there is no need to order separately if your order already includes CBC.

The tests are usually ordered for patients prior to surgery to ensure normal clotting ability.  The PT and PTT Blood Tests are useful in the diagnosis of excessive, unexplained bleeding in patients who are not taking blood-thinning medications. These bleeding disorders include conditions such as nosebleeds, bruising, heavy menstrual periods, blood in the stool and/or urine, and bleeding gums, among others,

The serum iron test measures the amount of iron in your blood. The total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) test looks at how well the iron moves through your body.

A complete blood count CBC with differential test panel measures several components of your blood including:Red blood cells, which carry oxygen, White blood cells, which fight infection, Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, Hematocrit, the proportion of red blood cells to the fluid component in your blood (which correlated with blood thickness), and Platelets, which help with blood clotting. This is also called Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets Blood Test

This panel is the most inclusive of all offered on the site for men who want a wide picture of their health or who are considering starting testosterone replacement therapy.  It provides a baseline overview of your sex hormones, thyroid gland, adrenal function, metabolic function, cholesterol, prostate, and overall health.  Tests included: 

• CBC
• CMP
• Lipid Panel
• Testosterone
• Total (LC/MS) Estradiol, Ultra Sensitive
• DHEA-s
• TSH
• Free T3
• PSA
• LH
• FSH

A blood pregnancy test is a medical test used to determine if a woman is pregnant by detecting the presence of the hormone hCG in her blood. Shortly after the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining, the developing placenta produces the hormone known as hCG. This test is the Quantitative hCG test (also known as a beta hCG test) and measures the specific amount of hCG present in the blood. It can help determine how far along a pregnancy is, monitor the progress of the pregnancy, and detect potential issues like an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.

Blood pregnancy tests are more sensitive than over-the-counter urine pregnancy tests and can detect pregnancy earlier – as soon as 6 to 8 days after ovulation.

CPK is creatine phosphokinase, an enzyme in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. High CPK can indicate muscle destruction, heart attacks, and central nervous system issues. Long-term exposure to high CPK can load up your kidneys and cause muscle loss and weakness. Sometimes we have no symptoms when CPK is high, but most of the time, we have body aches and soreness. Resistance training can raise CPK, so stop working out for at least five days before the CPK test.

Uric acid is a product produced by the body after the purines in many foods undergo the digestive process and are broken down inside the body. After this breakdown process, the uric acid travels through the bloodstream into your kidneys and most is actually eliminated through the urinary tract via urination. However, there are instances where you may have an excess of uric acid and are unable to excrete the bulk of this substance through urination. This could lead to gout-related issues.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) is the rate at which red blood cells sediment in a period of one hour. It is a common hematology test and is a non-specific measure of inflammation. To perform the test, anticoagulated blood is traditionally placed in an upright tube, known as a Westergren tube, and the rate at which the red blood cells fall is measured and reported in mm at the end of one hour. Elevated levels of ESR are usually found in people who have different types of diseases, such as autoimmune disease, anemia, kidney disease, cancer, and other health complications.

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. Red blood cells need iron to form normally and carry oxygen around your body. Low levels of ferritin lead to iron deficiency anemia, which means you have too few red blood cells. High levels of ferritin can damage your joints, heart, liver, and pancreas.

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor is often evaluated in patients suspected of having any form of arthritis or destructive articular disease even though positive results can be due to other causes, and negative results do not rule out disease. But, in combination with signs and symptoms, it can play a role in both diagnosis and disease prognosis. It is part of the usual disease criteria of rheumatoid arthritis.

The reverse T3 test has to be done at the same time you do the free T3, and you then measure the ratio between the two by dividing the RT3 into the Free T3. The body produces the benign RT3 naturally to rid itself of excess of T4, but in some cases, such as high or low cortisol, RT3 is produced in excess, which can clog cell receptors from receiving T3. FT3 is usually twenty or more times higher than RT3. NOTE: Reverse T3 is analyzed using a specific technique called liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). There's a special place in the U.S. where these precise machines needed for LC/MS panels run only on two specific days a week. So, sometimes the clock ticks a bit while we wait for samples to return from their initial collection points. Results may take 7 business days.

Iodine, Serum/Plasma - Iodine is an essential element that is required for thyroid hormone production. The measurement of iodine serves as an index of adequate dietary intake and iodine overload, particularly from iodine-containing drugs.

This panel contains:

• Fasting Insulin
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (Includes Glucose)

Glucose and insulin can be used to calculate HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance)

 A prolactin blood test is used by doctors to evaluate sexual dysfunction or very low testosterone blood levels of unknown causes in both men and women.