BLOOD PANELS Flashcards
Lipid Test
Measures the amount of certain fat molecules called lipids in your blood. Helps monitor cardiovascular disease.
In most cases, the panel includes four different cholesterol:
LDL, HDL, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides
HDL
high density lipoprotein, is the good cholesterol. This is the particle that’s moving cholesterol out of your body - so it’s the Happy cholesterol and you want to keep it High.
Men - above 40 but 53 mg/dil
Women - above 50 but 67 mg/dil
1 out 4 Americans have HDL level below 40 mg/dil
HDL (make it higher)
Exercise:
aerobic 1 hr a day
Healthy Diet:
eat good fats (omega-3, nuts, seeds, oily fish)
Avoid processed carbs (chips, carbs, white bread)
Weight Loss:
Excess weight causes insulin resistance, which restricts blood sugar within your body.
Increase LDL
Quit Smoking
Manage Stress
LDL
Low Density Lipoprotein Is the “Lousy” cholesterol and you want to keep it Low. Stores plaque /blockage within your arteries.
Increase heart attack & stroke
Lower then 100mg/dil - 90 is good
70 is best
130mg - is worst
LDL (lower risk)
Exercise and Weight loss
Diet - avoid process carbs.
All carbohydrates get absorbed as sugar and simple/processed carbs are digested and absorbed quickly, leading to blood sugar spikes - which then drives insulin release. Insulin is a storage hormone, pushing our bodies into storage mode. The storage form of cholesterol? LDL. LDL levels go up when insulin levels go up.
Triglycerides
TG’s are mostly fat and only about 20% of a TG particle consists of cholesterol.
Normal TG below 150mg/dl
Wide range
Total Cholesterol
HDL + LDL + TG/5
Should be below 200mg/dl
Cholesterol
fatty substance that’s comes from your liver and found within your cell.
Good Cholesterol - makes hormones, vitamin d and helps digest food
Bad Cholesterol - can lead to heart disease and stroke which are 1 & 3 cause of death within the US.
BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel)
Measures 8 different substances in your blood.
It provides important information about your body’s chemical balance and metabolism.
Body Functions:
Kidney function
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Blood sugar levels
Acid and base balance
Metabolism
Chronic Conditions:
High Blood Pressure
Kidney Disease
Metabolism
Is the process of how the body uses food and energy.
BMP 8 Substances it test for
- Glucose
- Calcium
- Bun (Blood, Urine, Nitrogen)
- Creatinine
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Carbon Dioxide
- Chloride
Glucose
A type of sugar and your body’s main source of energy.
Calcium
Calcium, one of the body’s most important minerals. Calcium is essential for proper functioning of your nerves, muscles, and heart.
Thyroid
The thyroid gland processes hormones that regulate your body’s metabolism (weight, temperature, energy).
Thyroid Blood Test
Thyroid blood tests can help determine if hypothyroidism (too few thyroid hormones) or hyperthyroidism (too many) are present.
Test for Thyroid Disease & Graves Disease
Hyperthyroidism
Overactive thyroid producing more thyroid hormones than your body needs.
Hyperthyroidism speeds up your metabolism, which can cause weight loss, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, , anxiety
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease
Hypothyroidism
Under-active thyroid producing too few thyroid hormones.
Hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism, which can cause weight gain, menstrual irregularity, dry and puffy skin, fatigue.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease.
Thyroid Bloods Test for
Thyroiditis - swelling in the thyroid glands (inflammation)
Graves’ disease - Immune system disordered
Hashimoto’s disease - Autoimmune disorder.
The inflammation prevents the thyroid from producing enough hormones (hypothyroidism).
Thyroid tumors -
Goiter - Irregular growth of the thyroid gland
Thyroid nodule - Solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid.
Thyroid cancer - Combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Some people have no symptoms. Others may notice a lump in the neck.
Thyroid Blood Test Include
TSH - regulates balance of Thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) in the bloodstream.
- Hyperthyroidism - associated with low TSH level
- Hypothyroidism - associated with high TSH level.
Normal test range from .40 - 4.50 milli-international units per liter of blood.
