COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY TO STANDARD BLOOD TESTS

Components of the most commonly ordered complete metabolic profile, any or all of these may be included depending on the doctors instructions to the laboratory. (In alphabetical order) ALBUMIN - relates to blood vessel condition and fluid pressure. High: dehydration, protein gram overload or absorption, hypothyroidism. Low: starvation/malnutrition, kidney condition, vitamin C deficiency hyperthyroidism, heavy aspirin, and malnutrition, too much water in the body, liver/kidney disease. ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN RATIO - relates to the body's defense mechanism; associated with the liver. High: increased infection; possible dysfunction of kidney, lowered immunity, vitamin E, zinc, copper, and iron deficiency. Low: sign of anemia, protein malnutrition state, possible diabetic ketosis or colitis. ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE - an enzyme found essentially in bone and liver. Relates to liver utilization of protein, fats, and pH balance. High: possible decalcification of bone, bile duct obstruction, alcohol related, tendency toward arthritis, relates to bone cell conditions, insufficient calcium/phosphorus, could relate to certain medications. Low: protein malnutrition, vitamin C, folic acid, and zinc deficiency, possible hypoglycemia. ALT- ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE - (a/k/a SGPT) relates to liver enzyme activity, also kidney and skeletal muscle. Kinetic in nature, a driving force. High: insufficient vitamin A, C, high fat diet, could be allergies, alcohol and drug related, liver dysfunction and acute pancreatitis. Low: indicates poor vitamin B-6 and copper, excessive exercise. AST - ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE (a/k/a SGOT) an enzyme associated with the liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. Acts as a catalyst in amino acid metabolism during glycolysis, with resultant energy release. An indicator of estrogen imbalance. An indicator of degenerative processes. High: could be allergies, lack of vitamin E, arthritic in nature, liver complications, heart or muscle problems. Low: poor vitamin B-6 and magnesium. BILIRUBIN, DIRECT - is the most sensitive test for liver (hepatic) function/dysfunction. High: indicates a possible problem with liver cells, disease. BILIRUBIN, TOTAL - a function of the infection control system. Fasting can cause a slight increase in total bilirubin. The yellow pigment in blood plasma or serum. High: associated with fat malabsorption and increased risk to cardiovascular disease, possible lymphatic problems, low vitamin C; relates to jaundice, potential liver disease. Low: iron deficiency, anemia, insufficient vitamin B-12, C, and copper. BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN) - reveals the degree of toxicity of protein to the kidneys. High: high protein diet, stress, liver, thyroid, parathyroid imbalance, kidney obstruction - disorder or stones, low Vitamin A, C, E, potassium, high blood loss Low: protein malnutrition, heavy smoking, tendency toward diabetes. BUN/CREATININE RATIO - relates to chronic uremia. Relates to kidney removal of water, protein, and tissue residue. High: high protein, low water intake, and tendency toward gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, calcium loss from bone and calcification of soft tissue, low calcium/phosphorous ratio. Low: low protein/high carbohydrate diet, deficiency of anti-diuretic hormone (using a diuretic). CALCIUM - relates to bone metabolism: the most important element in the body. Maintains cardiac regularity. Required for muscle relaxation and contraction. Necessary for enzyme production. Growth and development of teeth, bones, and resistance to infection. Potential parathyroid gland malfunction. High: excessive milk intake, bone disorders, alcohol, possibly of calcium not being absorbed, excessive protein, excess intake of antacids, lack of exercise or sufficient bed rest.

Low: Malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency. CHLORIDE - relates to kidney, bladder, and bowel function. Essential for electrolyte balance and pH maintenance. High: high salt intake, severe dehydration, could relate to bowel dysfunction, insufficient green vegetables, liver, magnesium. Low: susceptible to infections, tendency toward colitis, bladder dysfunction. CREATININE - relates to muscle activity and renal functioning. One of the substances most easily excreted by the kidney. High: muscle breaks down to supply protein to the body if sufficient protein is available, high ingestion of meats, kidney distress. Low: over stress to kidney (heavy coffee, tea, alcohol), too much vitamin C, compulsive exercise. GAMMA-GLUTAMYL TRANSPEPTIDASE (GGT) - an enzyme found primarily in the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart. Very similar to alkaline phosphatase. Kinetic or force related. High: possible liver congestion, infection, sensitive to alcohol and certain drugs, related to liver and pancreatic disease and myocardial infarction. GFR EST (eGFR) Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimated Indicates how healthy your kidneys are. A calculated estimate of the actual glomerular filtration rate. Based on your serum Creatinine concentration. The formula includes your age, gender, height and weight; race may also be used in the calculation. High: A value over 60 is preferred. Low: kidney damage. Value indicates amount/level of damage: 45-59 = early stages; 30-40 = moderate damage; 15-29 = severe damage; < 15 = kidney failure. GLOBULIN - valuable in assessing degenerative and infectious processes. Essential to the antibody-antigen response. Needed to fight infections. Important in blood clotting. High: allergy, a sign of arthritis. Low: low protein digestion, infection related. GLUCOSE - affects all organs, systems and tissues of the body. It determines the acid/alkaline balance (pH) that in turn affects an individual's behavior and body weight. It is ones chief source of energy. Could relate to hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. High: hyperglycemic, lack of exercise, questionable diet, lack of insulin, toxemia, and tendency toward diabetes. Low: hypoglycemic, hypothyroidism, excessive insulin output, protein malnutrition. HEMOGLOBIN A1C - fasting or not fasting affects blood glucose levels. This test looks at blood glucose that has attached itself to protein (albumin); reads glucose levels two-three weeks before the testing. With society's increase in adult diabetes and glycemia (high and low), this test more accurately measures glucose. Note: The following three tests, Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity, and Transferrin Percent Saturation are looked at together to obtain a true measure of the body's iron level and its utilization. IRON - constricts blood cell production of oxygen, removes toxin residue, poor nutrition. High: deficient in vitamin E, B-6, folic acid and copper. Low: protein malnutrition, causes fever, anemia, lack of energy, all body functions are at a lower level. IRON BINDING CAPACITY, TOTAL (TIBC) - used in conjunction with the transferrin (%) of iron, iron deficiency. IRON PERCENT SATURATION. See TRANSFERRIN - relates to iron overload, hemocromatosis. It compares the amount of iron in the blood to the capacity of the blood to transport iron. LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE (LDH) - how sugar gets into the cell, functions as a catalyst in carbohydrate metabolism. Helps monitor blood acidity and balance of water with sugar. High: diabetic tendency, strenuous exercise, alcohol related, present in myocardial infarction, and pulmonary conditions. Low: hypoglycemia tendency, possible edema, fatigue. MAGNESIUM - helps regulate acid-alkaline (base) balance in the body. Aids in absorption and metabolism of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium; also utilization of Vitamin B complex, C, and E. 2

Regulates body temperature. High: infection Low: malnutrition, alcoholism, and excessive use of diuretics. PHOSPHATE, INORGANIC - helps maintain tissue acidity and aids in bone formation, also complements and facilitates calcium. High: hyperthyroidism, alcoholism, bone disorder, blood disorders, non-fasting effect. Low: stress related, chronic infection, low energy, reduced immunity. POTASSIUM - essential to heart and kidney function and the maintenance of pH of both blood and urine. Prevents heart and general muscle fatigue. It maintains regular heart rate and muscle force. High: overuse of potassium supplements, kidney disorder, relates to congestive heart failure and renal failure, low vitamin E, insufficient exercise and deep breathing. Low: tendency toward weak heart, alcohol related, folic acid deficiency, low fluid intake, low potassium intake, low vegetable and fruit intake. PROTEIN, TOTAL - essential for cell development. It is necessary for tissue needs, growth, repair, fluid balance, and protection against infection. The building block of the human organism; it cannot be converted from carbohydrates or fats. They are enzymes, antibodies, clotting factors, and transport substance. High: indicates incomplete assimilation or non-use of protein, dehydration or loss of fluid. Low: incomplete protein digestion, poor nutrition, vitamin B, D, zinc deficiency. SODIUM - an electrolyte that affects kidney function. Essential to acid-base balance and intra/extra cellular fluid exchanges for normal body water distribution. High: high sodium-salt diet, low water intake, relates to toxins, headaches, weak back muscles, low potassium levels, lack of physical activity, fluid imbalance. Low: lack of trace minerals, loss of fluids, loss of sodium in diarrhea or vomit. URIC ACID - end product of protein utilization. Potentially relates to gout, arthritis, and kidney excretion (nitrogen). Meat (liver, kidneys), shellfish, and beans are high in uric acid. High: incomplete protein assimilation relates to rich foods, alcohol, stress, restaurant food, and high protein weight loss diets, high folic acid diet, gout. Low: incomplete protein digestion, acidic pH, low in zinc and niacin. SGOT- SERUM GLUTAMIC-OXALOACETIC TRANSAMINASE See AST SGPT - SERUM GLUTAMIC-PYRUVIC TRANSAMINASE See ALT TIBC See IRON BINDING CAPACITY, TOTAL TRANSFERRIN (IRON) PERCENT SATURATION. - relates to iron overload, hemocromatosis. It compares the amount of iron in the blood to the capacity of the blood to transport iron. CORONARY RISK ASSESSMENT/LIPID PROFILE A selection of five tests, when combined, gives a clear picture of the health of the arteries and the risk for heart attacks. The five are: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and VLDL. Total cholesterol needs to be 200 MG/DL or lower; HDL cholesterol needs to be higher than 35 MG/DL; and LDL cholesterol needs to be lower than 130 MG/DL. It is the ratios between these substances that identify your risk of having heart problems. The lower the ratio the safer you are. Healthy ratios are: CHOL:: HDL 4.45 or less is adequate, 3.1 or lower is ideal; LDL:: HDL 3.0 or less is adequate, 2.0 or lower is ideal.

CHOLESTEROL (CHOL) - Fats that are made into hormones, enzymes and antibodies with iodine and protein. An effective measure of liver, intestinal absorption, and cardiovascular disease. Its primary function is to produce 3

hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. High: excessive dietary fats (hydrogenated oils), lack of vitamin A, C, D, E, stress, smoking, tendency toward diabetes, insufficient exercise. Low: hyperthyroidism, protein malnutrition. HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (HDL) - the "good" cholesterol, it carries cholesterol away from your arteries to your liver. It is half protein, half phospholipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides. High: removes cholesterol from arterial wall, decreases coronary artery disease, well balanced diet and exercise. Low: associated with angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, hypertension, incomplete diet. LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (LDL) (CALCULATED) - the "bad cholesterol, responsible for plaque build-up in the arteries. VERY LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS (VLDL) The densest of the blood lipids. The lower the value the better TRIGLYCERIDES - relates to very low density lipoproteins. Tendency toward diabetes. High: sugar and saturated fat eaters, stress related, increase risk of heart and small vessel diseases, poor exercise habits, low magnesium levels, incomplete digestion of fatty acids, low vegetable and whole grain diet, smoking. Low: nerves and stress related, protein malnutrition, excessive use of bran and niacin, low unsaturated fatty acids. Hyperthyroidism. THYROID PROFILE T3 (TRI-IODOTHYRONINE) - Amount of binding protein. Increased in hyperthyroidism, hepatitis, and nephrosis; decreased in hypothyroidism, pregnancy and by birth control pills. T4 (TETRA-IODOTHYRONINE) - Total circulating hormone. Increased in hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, birth control pills; decreased in hypothyroidism, nephrosis and cretinism. FREE T-4 (a/k/a T7 or FTI-FREE THYROXINE INDEX) - Shows the metabolic impact of the hormone. A calculated value. TSH (REFLEX) Messenger from the brain that tells the thyroid to make hormone. Increased in hypothyroidism, decreased in hyperthyroidism.

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC) WBC (WHITE BLOOD CELL) - leukocytes, found in bone marrow. Protects body against infection and inflammation. High: possible myocardial infarction, tissue damage, and infection. Low: possible bone marrow depression, susceptible to infection. RBC (RED BLOOD CELL) - erythrocytes, relates to anemia. Responsible for multi-functions in the maintenance of proper body metabolism. High: hyperactive production (inefficient breakdown or improper production of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow). Low: deficient hormone production or possible nutritional deficiencies, insufficient copper and iron, vegetarian diet with improper protein combining. HEMOGLOBIN (HGB) - relates primarily with the liver and spleen. Indicates the amount of intracellular iron hence its value in determining anemia. High: pancreatitis, hyper-spleen reaction. Low: anemia, possible liver disease. HEMATOCRIT (HCT) - percentage of red blood cells to whole blood (plasma). Relates to abnormal state for hydration, also the spleen denoting the amount of blood cell production. High: hyper-spleen activity, mononucleosis, and dehydration. Low: anemia, vitamin C, B-1, B-6, folic acid, and protein deficiency, improper diet, ulcerations, fever and infection. MCV (MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME) - indicates iron deficiency anemia. High: indicates macrocytic anemias caused by deficiency in folic acid and vitamin B-12, inherited disorders of DNA synthesis, reflects average volume of many cells. MCH (MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN) - a hemoglobin-RBC ratio, gives the weight of hemoglobin in an average red cell. Relates to iron anemia. MCHC (MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION) - the ratio of hemoglobin weight to hematocrit, defines the volume of hemoglobin in an average red cell and helps distinguish normally colored red cells from paler red cells. RDW (RED BLOOD CELL DISTRIBUTION WIDTH) - an indicator of red blood cell size. Extreme large blood cells (width/size) could be anisocytosis. PLATELETS - element in blood that promotes coagulation. High: infection disorders, iron deficiency, consider malignancy. Low: possible bone disease, deficiency in vitamin B-12 and folic acid, immune disorder, disseminated infection, alcohol and drug related, poor diet and insufficient exercise. MPV (MEAN PLATELET VOLUME) - low scores indicate small platelets and a high scores indicates large platelets.

AUTOMATED DIFFERENTIAL Ordered as part of a CBC with a diff. This is the test that identifies the five types of white blood cells and the amounts present in the blood. Describes how your body is doing protecting itself from various invading substances and organisms. POLY (NEUTROPHILS: PERCENT) - amount of infection fighting capacity. The "good guys". High: infections and poisonings, possible allergy, excessive amount of foreign protein due to undigested protein and muscle breakdown. Low: insufficient vitamin A, B-6, B-12, folic acid, iron, copper, excessive toxins, possible bone marrow damage, incomplete diet, lack of exercise. LYMPH (LYMPHOCYTES: PERCENT) - aids in the destruction and handling of body toxins and by-products of protein metabolism. Relates to the healing process. High: possible allergies, hepatitis, fever and infection. Low: excessive infection, cortisone reaction. MONO (MONOCYTES: PERCENT) - contains lipase which enables them to digest bacteria. Relates to normal tissue breakdown by the liver. Formed in the spleen and bone marrow they ingest large bacteria. High: possible viral infection, vitamin B-6 and C deficiency, indicates possible arthritis, stress, insufficient fluids. Low: indicates healing remission. EOS (EOSINOPHILS: PERCENT) - responsible for the protection and preservation of life via the immunologic response. Relates to infections, inflammations, disease, and allergies. High: food allergies, intestinal infection, skin disease, possible Hodgkins disease, an effect of digitalis. Low: stress response, fever, caused by cortisone. BASO (BASOPHILS: PERCENT) - involved in deep membrane allergies. Relates to the immune response, inflammation, and gastrointestinal tract invasion. High: possible allergies, hyperthyroidism, stress, blood complications. Low: lack of vitamin E and C, blood clotting. ABS PREFIX - indicates absolute scores. Poly, Lymph, Mono, EOS, and Baso percent scores are determined by multiplying the related scores by white blood cell results. This test is an initial view of the body's defense system and effectiveness that relates to our white blood cells and antigens. The first sign of the defense system breaking down, possibly a weakness in the immune system.