This test measures the size of the average red blood cell, which can be affected by anemia and certain vitamin deficiencies

This is a measure of the amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in an average red blood cell. This is a specific test for anemia.

This test, used to diagnose anemia, measures the average concentration of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. The most common cause of low MCHC is lack of iron in the diet.

This measures the size of your red blood cells. Certain conditions can cause the size to vary. A high RDW may be a sign of anemia and other conditions

Platelets, the smallest type of blood cell, help in the clotting of blood. A low level increases risks for excessive bleeding and bruising.

This measures the amount of sugar in your blood since last eating (ideally, 12 hours before test).  Glucose level is influenced mainly by what you eat, drink, your insulin level (made by your pancreas or taken as medicine) and having diabetes.  A level too low or high increases your risks for fatigue, fainting, going blind, kidney failure and other problems.  Being at ideal weight, good nutrition and exercise help to regulate glucose and decreases risks for diabetes.  Some people with diabetes also need medicine and special diets to help control their glucose level.

This measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. Urea is filtered by the kidney. A high BUN can mean kidney injury or disease. A low BUN can be caused by low protein diets or drinking too much water.

This measures how your kidneys and muscles are working. High levels can suggest kidney damage, blockage of the urinary tract, dehydration, heart disease, muscle conditions, strenuous exercise and other conditions.  Low levels can suggest some of the same conditions.

This is another measure of nutritional status and helps to screen for certain liver, kidney and other health problems. If this is high or low, other tests must be performed to find out what the problem may be.

Albumin is the most common type of protein in the blood, and is important for tissue growth and healing. It keeps water in tissues and transports vitamins, minerals and hormones through the body. Abnormal levels can mean kidney or liver problems.

This is another type of protein found in the blood. Globulin proteins perform a variety of functions in the body. Immunoglobulins are the most common type of globulin protein and function as antibodies. High globulin levels may occur with chronic infections, liver or kidney problems. Low levels may occur with nephrosis (a kidney condition), anemia and liver problems.

This is the calculated ratio of albumin to globulins. This may provide a clue to your doctor about what might cause any change in protein levels that may be present.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) helps to measure how well your kidneys function. Glomeruli are tiny filters in your kidneys that help to remove waste products and keep your blood clean. eGFR estimates how much fluid is filtered through the kidney per minute. Lower levels can be associated with kidney damage, disease or other conditions.

Bilirubin is a brownish yellow substance found in bile. It is produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells. When too much is in the blood, the skin begins to turn yellow. High levels could mean liver problems (e.g., hepatitis) or infections of the gallbladder or bile ducts.

This is found in the liver and the bones. It is released into the blood with rapid bone growth or destruction, or liver cell damage. High levels may be signs of bone growth, liver or bone disease.  Low levels may be caused by malnutrition.

This is present in the liver and blood.  GGT increases mainly when the liver is damaged or obstructed, with a blockage of the bile duct and/or with chronic alcohol use.   Recent alcohol use can cause a temporary increase in GGT.

AST is found mainly in red blood cells, the heart, liver, muscle tissue, pancreas and kidneys. When any of these are injured, they release AST into the blood.  The amount of increase can help to tell if and how much the liver or other organs have been damaged.  AST can increase for many other reasons including:  too much vitamin A;  certain types of anemia, lung damage,  cancer, heart attack or heart failure and many of the same causes of high ALT levels (see below).

This is the total amount of all types of cholesterol in your blood.  The lower it is, the lower your cardiac risks for clogged arteries, heart attacks and strokes.

This is the "good" type of cholesterol in your blood. It acts like a magnet to remove cholesterol deposits and unclog arteries, lowering cardiac risks. The more you have, the lower your risk. Exercise is the main way to help increase HDL.

This is the "bad" cholesterol in your blood.  It acts like a dump truck, dumping fats from foods and clogging arteries - increasing cardiac risks.  The lower this number is the lower your risk. Eating less high fat foods and more high fiber foods helps to decrease LDL. If your result is 0, blank, or N/A your triglyceride level may have been too high to provide an accurate LDL level.

This number is your total cholesterol divided by your HDL cholesterol. The lower it is, the lower your risks for clogged arteries, heart attacks and strokes.

ALT is found mostly in the liver. ALT is released into the blood stream, usually before more obvious symptoms of liver damage occur, such as jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin).  ALT can increase for many reasons, such as:  vigorous exercise;  certain infections (e.g., mononucleosis, hepatitis); excess use of alcohol; injury/damage to the liver, pancreas, kidneys or muscles;  many medicines; lead poisoning, thyroid disease, severe burns, liver cancer and other problems.

This is a type of white blood cell and is a part of the body’s immune defense against injury and infection. An increased level of basophils may result from allergic reactions, colitis, chickenpox, and some types of anemia. A decreased level of basophils does not usually have any clinical implications.

This measures the calcium in your blood - which helps nerves and muscles to work well, blood to clot and cells to reproduce. High or low levels can cause several problems like osteoporosis (low) and kidney problems (high).

This electrolyte helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells in balance. It helps keep the right blood volume, blood pressure and acid-base balance of your body fluids.

This is a test to measure the CRP protein in blood. High levels can suggest a sudden or severe inflammation and increased risk of a sudden heart problems including a heart attack. CRP level and heart attack risk is still not well understood. Low levels can be caused by some medicines.

Most of the iron in the body is stored in a protein called Ferritin. The Ferritin level in the blood shows how much iron is stored in your body. Low values often mean an iron deficiency (anemia) is present. This can result from not enough iron in the diet, pregnancy, bleeding from menstruation, ulcers, hemorrhoids, colon polyps, colon cancer or other conditions (e.g., psoriasis). High levels mean a large build up of iron resulting from too much iron in the diet, breakdown of red blood cells due to too many blood transfusions, liver disease, arthritis, lupus a genetic condition or other conditions.

This measures the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last 2-3 months. High levels can suggest diabetes or problems managing the glucose level of a person who may have diabetes.

Homocysteine (an amino acid) level helps identify vitamin B12 (or folic acid) deficiencies, a possible cause of unexplained blood clots and other conditions. High values are caused by not getting enough folic acid, vitamin B6 or B12 in your diet, excess alcohol and certain diseases. Low values may be caused by some medicines or daily vitamins such as folic acid, B12 or niacin. Results are also affected by tobacco use, many years of drinking coffee, having high blood pressure, going through menopause, age and gender.

This checks to see if your body has made antibodies to Helicobacter pylori bacteria (involved in infections of the stomach and upper part of the small intestine). Having these antibodies (red) means you either are currently infected or have been in the past.

Insulin (normally made in the pancreas) lets sugar enter the cells of the body. With diabetes, different types of insulin (how fast and long they last) may be needed by injection, insulin pen or pump.

There are several types of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells in the immune system that protect the body against infection. Abnormal lymphocyte production can be seen in conditions that affect the immune system.

This is the most common type of white blood cell and is responsible for the immune system’s initial defense against infection or injury. An increased level may be a sign of an acute bacterial infection, leukemia, or smoking. A reduced level (neutropenia) may be a sign of some types of anemia. Neutropenia can also be a result of chemotherapy or viral infections.

This mineral and electrolyte helps muscles and nerves to work correctly, and helps with water balances in the body and cells. Low and high levels can cause cramps, weakness, confusion, changes in heart rhythm, nausea, diarrhea, frequent urination and dehydration.

This helps to keep amount and balance of water in the body - and - helps nerves and muscles to work well.  High sodium can be caused  by eating too much salt (or other foods high in sodium), dehydration or other health problems. Low sodium can be caused by sweating, burns, drinking too much water or other certain diseases and conditions.

This measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone. A proper level is needed for normal growth and metabolism. High or low levels can suggest problems with the thyroid or pituitary gland, or amount of medicine being taken to treat such problems.

Test to determine if vitamin D is deficient as a cause of bone diseases it is considered to be the most reliable index of vitamin D status. Vitamin D is becoming increasingly important in the management of various disorders of calcium metabolism associated with rickets, neonatal hypocalcemmLia, pregnancy, nutritional and renal osteodystrophy, hypoparathyroidism, and postmenopausal osteoporosis.