Canton Ohio WLS Support Group
ABC's of Blood work
CBC, CMP, GGT….do you ever wonder when you get your lab slip for blood work what it all means? It may seem like alphabet soup. We’ll break it down and detail what you are havi ng checked so you can be a fully informed advocate for your own health.
CBC – A Complete Blood Count is one of the most important blood tests. While there are many different types of cells in your blood, they can all be grouped into one of three categories: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Knowing how many of these cells you have in a blood sample provides a lot of valuable information.
CMP – The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is a group of 14 tests that provide important information about the current status of your kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as your blood sugar and blood proteins. Lipid Profile – The Lipid Profile is a group of tests that are often ordered together to determine risk of coronary heart disease. These tests have been shown to be good indicators of whether someone is likely to have a heart attack or stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels (“hardening of the arteries").
The Lipid Profile includes total cholesterol, HDLcholesterol (often called good cholesterol), LDLcholesterol (often called bad cholesterol), and triglycerides.
B-12 Level – Vitamin B-12 testing usually consists of two tests. The first is a serum B-12 blood test to measure the amount of B-12 in the blood. The second is a test to rule out any folic acid deficiency, which can mimic the symptoms of B-12 deficiency.
GGT – Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase participates in the transfer of amino acids across the cellular membrane and in glutathione metabolism. GGT is measured in combination with other tests that can be ordered.
ALT – ALT is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of the amino acid alanine. This test is used to determine an indication of liver damage. ALT is in a number of tissues but is in highest concentration in the liver. Injury to the liver results in release of the enzyme into the blood.
LDH – LDH is most often measured to evaluate the presence of tissue damage. The enzyme LDH is in many body tissues, especially the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, blood cells and lungs.
Phosphorus – Testing for Phosphorus in the blood is used to detect the presence of disorders known to cause abnormal phosphorus levels. Most of the body’s phosphorus is combined with calcium within the skeleton, but about 15% exists as phosphate (PO4) in the Uric Acid – Levels of Uric Acid are checked to detect any elevation. Increased levels of uric acid can cause gout. Most Uric Acid is excreted by the kidneys. An overproduction occurs when there is excessive breakdown of cells or an inability of the kidneys to excrete Uric Acid.
Iron – Testing for iron is performed when iron deficiency is suspected or the level of iron needs to be confirmed for a baseline check. Iron is important for red blood cell production.
Ferritin – Ferritin testing measures the amount of iron in the body. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. The serum Ferritin level, the amount of Ferritin in your blood, is directly proportional to the amount of iron stored in your body.
Vitamin A – To test for Vitamin A levels allows for investigation of the possibility of Vitamin A deficiency or excess, both of which are rare but can exist. If you do not get enough Vitamin A, you are more susceptible to infectious diseases and vision problems. If you get too much Vitamin A, you can get sick or experience Vitamin A poisoning.
Vitamin D – Deficiencies of Vitamin D stores in your body are important to detect. A deficiency can lead to osteoporosis. Vitamin D acts as a hormone to regulate calcium absorption and to regulate levels of calcium and phosphate in the bones. When the body is deficient, it is unable to properly regulate calcium and phosphate levels.
Thyroid/T3 and T4– This testing is performed as part of a thyroid function test. Thyroid function is complex and depends on the action of many different hormones. The thyroid hormone T3 and T4 are transported in the body via proteins that bind them. Abnormal levels can indicate the possibility of thyroid disorders. T
hyroid/TSH – TSH screening is measured as a screening test for abnormal thyroid function. TRH, a hormone produced in the hypothalamus, stimulates the pituitary gland to release TSH. TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone, T3 and T4. These hormones feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary to regulate the release of both TSH and TRH. If this regulation pathway is altered, it leads to under or over production of thyroid hormone.
Zinc – Zinc is an important trace mineral. Zinc plays an important role in the proper functioning of the immune system in the body. It is required for the enzyme activities necessary for cell division, cell growth and wound healing. It also plays a role in the acuity of the senses of smell and taste. Zinc is also involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Magnesium – Magnesium is an essential mineral for human nutrition. Magnesium in the body serves important metabolic functions. It plays a role in the production and transport of energy, contraction and relaxation of muscles and is involved in the synthesis of protein. Certain medications or low blood levels of calcium may be associated with magnesium deficiency.
PTH/Parathormone – PTH is a test that measures the amount of Parathormone in the blood. It may be performed when a PTH abnormality is suspected as a cause of abnormal calcium or phosphorus levels. PTH is a protein hormone secreted by the parathyroid gland which is the most important regulator of body calcium and phosphorus.
Please note, these descriptions are provided as a general overview of the individual tests. For detailed information and how each test, and its results, pertain to you, meet with your physician to discuss your particular health questions and concerns. Your personal physician may order additional tests according to your healthy history and issues. A resource for information on blood testing, is Medline Plus. Medline Plus is a service of the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine. You can visit their website at: http://medlineplus.gov. A sample laboratory testing slip is provided for further information. The Lab Tests-Example is from a large health maintenance organization located in California. The tests are recommended annually for gastric bypass patients. With a restrictive procedure such as RNY, the body’s ability to absorb nutrients is reduced.
All patients are encouraged to take a good quality, multi-vitamin along with a calcium supplement each day, along with regular B-12 supplementation. Patients can require addition iron or other supplements. Bariatric professionals encourage all weight loss surgery patients post-operatively one year or longer to have their blood checked annually to ensure that their bodies are getting and absorbing the many vitamins, minerals and nutrients for good health. You and your physician are partners in your health care long-term. However, you are your own best advocate and detective. Obtain written results of your lab tests and keep as a reference. Even if your levels are in the normal range, your diligent monitoring can detect any trends of concern. By regular monitoring of your lab results, you can detect trends and bring them to the attention of your physician. Be a Sherlock Holmes of your lab result trends and you can possibly detect any medical issues early. Be an advocate and responsible for your health! Another ABC to remember: Annual Blood Check!
CBC – A Complete Blood Count is one of the most important blood tests. While there are many different types of cells in your blood, they can all be grouped into one of three categories: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Knowing how many of these cells you have in a blood sample provides a lot of valuable information.
CMP – The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is a group of 14 tests that provide important information about the current status of your kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as your blood sugar and blood proteins. Lipid Profile – The Lipid Profile is a group of tests that are often ordered together to determine risk of coronary heart disease. These tests have been shown to be good indicators of whether someone is likely to have a heart attack or stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels (“hardening of the arteries").
The Lipid Profile includes total cholesterol, HDLcholesterol (often called good cholesterol), LDLcholesterol (often called bad cholesterol), and triglycerides.
B-12 Level – Vitamin B-12 testing usually consists of two tests. The first is a serum B-12 blood test to measure the amount of B-12 in the blood. The second is a test to rule out any folic acid deficiency, which can mimic the symptoms of B-12 deficiency.
GGT – Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase participates in the transfer of amino acids across the cellular membrane and in glutathione metabolism. GGT is measured in combination with other tests that can be ordered.
ALT – ALT is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of the amino acid alanine. This test is used to determine an indication of liver damage. ALT is in a number of tissues but is in highest concentration in the liver. Injury to the liver results in release of the enzyme into the blood.
LDH – LDH is most often measured to evaluate the presence of tissue damage. The enzyme LDH is in many body tissues, especially the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, blood cells and lungs.
Phosphorus – Testing for Phosphorus in the blood is used to detect the presence of disorders known to cause abnormal phosphorus levels. Most of the body’s phosphorus is combined with calcium within the skeleton, but about 15% exists as phosphate (PO4) in the Uric Acid – Levels of Uric Acid are checked to detect any elevation. Increased levels of uric acid can cause gout. Most Uric Acid is excreted by the kidneys. An overproduction occurs when there is excessive breakdown of cells or an inability of the kidneys to excrete Uric Acid.
Iron – Testing for iron is performed when iron deficiency is suspected or the level of iron needs to be confirmed for a baseline check. Iron is important for red blood cell production.
Ferritin – Ferritin testing measures the amount of iron in the body. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. The serum Ferritin level, the amount of Ferritin in your blood, is directly proportional to the amount of iron stored in your body.
Vitamin A – To test for Vitamin A levels allows for investigation of the possibility of Vitamin A deficiency or excess, both of which are rare but can exist. If you do not get enough Vitamin A, you are more susceptible to infectious diseases and vision problems. If you get too much Vitamin A, you can get sick or experience Vitamin A poisoning.
Vitamin D – Deficiencies of Vitamin D stores in your body are important to detect. A deficiency can lead to osteoporosis. Vitamin D acts as a hormone to regulate calcium absorption and to regulate levels of calcium and phosphate in the bones. When the body is deficient, it is unable to properly regulate calcium and phosphate levels.
Thyroid/T3 and T4– This testing is performed as part of a thyroid function test. Thyroid function is complex and depends on the action of many different hormones. The thyroid hormone T3 and T4 are transported in the body via proteins that bind them. Abnormal levels can indicate the possibility of thyroid disorders. T
hyroid/TSH – TSH screening is measured as a screening test for abnormal thyroid function. TRH, a hormone produced in the hypothalamus, stimulates the pituitary gland to release TSH. TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone, T3 and T4. These hormones feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary to regulate the release of both TSH and TRH. If this regulation pathway is altered, it leads to under or over production of thyroid hormone.
Zinc – Zinc is an important trace mineral. Zinc plays an important role in the proper functioning of the immune system in the body. It is required for the enzyme activities necessary for cell division, cell growth and wound healing. It also plays a role in the acuity of the senses of smell and taste. Zinc is also involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Magnesium – Magnesium is an essential mineral for human nutrition. Magnesium in the body serves important metabolic functions. It plays a role in the production and transport of energy, contraction and relaxation of muscles and is involved in the synthesis of protein. Certain medications or low blood levels of calcium may be associated with magnesium deficiency.
PTH/Parathormone – PTH is a test that measures the amount of Parathormone in the blood. It may be performed when a PTH abnormality is suspected as a cause of abnormal calcium or phosphorus levels. PTH is a protein hormone secreted by the parathyroid gland which is the most important regulator of body calcium and phosphorus.
Please note, these descriptions are provided as a general overview of the individual tests. For detailed information and how each test, and its results, pertain to you, meet with your physician to discuss your particular health questions and concerns. Your personal physician may order additional tests according to your healthy history and issues. A resource for information on blood testing, is Medline Plus. Medline Plus is a service of the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine. You can visit their website at: http://medlineplus.gov. A sample laboratory testing slip is provided for further information. The Lab Tests-Example is from a large health maintenance organization located in California. The tests are recommended annually for gastric bypass patients. With a restrictive procedure such as RNY, the body’s ability to absorb nutrients is reduced.
All patients are encouraged to take a good quality, multi-vitamin along with a calcium supplement each day, along with regular B-12 supplementation. Patients can require addition iron or other supplements. Bariatric professionals encourage all weight loss surgery patients post-operatively one year or longer to have their blood checked annually to ensure that their bodies are getting and absorbing the many vitamins, minerals and nutrients for good health. You and your physician are partners in your health care long-term. However, you are your own best advocate and detective. Obtain written results of your lab tests and keep as a reference. Even if your levels are in the normal range, your diligent monitoring can detect any trends of concern. By regular monitoring of your lab results, you can detect trends and bring them to the attention of your physician. Be a Sherlock Holmes of your lab result trends and you can possibly detect any medical issues early. Be an advocate and responsible for your health! Another ABC to remember: Annual Blood Check!
Terri
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader
www.wlsterrib.com
