VALUE WELLNESS PANELS

Routine lab testing is a great way to monitor your health. It is also a good way to establish a baseline; by knowing your baseline levels, you can begin to monitor these values to see how they change over time.

If you are ready to take control of your health but you are not sure where to start, the Annual Check-Up Panel can provide valuable information. This panel consists of 5 tests that are typically ordered by a healthcare provider during an annual physical examination. These tests provide information about your blood counts, kidney function, liver function, electrolytes, cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c, and thyroid function. 

The Anemia Panel is a comprehensive panel that includes a CBC, Ferritin, Folates, Total Iron Binding Capacity with Iron, Reticulocyte Count, Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid.

A CBC (Complete Blood Count) looks at important parameters of your blood including hemoglobin level, white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.  The Ferritin, Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity tests work together to indicate if you have an iron deficiency, which is the most common form of anemia. The Reticulocyte  Count  can  help  determine  if  you  are  producing  enough  red  blood  cells  and  can  help determine the cause of different types of anemia. Finally, this panel will determine any Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid deficiency, often the reason for the onset of anemia.

Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that affects one or more joints. There are several different conditions that can affect the joints and other connective tissues. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), and more. If you are concerned about rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune diseases, or other inflammatory conditions, this panel can be a good starting point. 

The Arthritis Screening Panel includes Rheumatoid Factor, Antinuclear Antibodies, and C‐Reactive Protein (High Sensitivity). It also includes a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), which are often ordered in an annual physical examination and can be used to monitor a variety of conditions. 

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also known as sexually transmitted infections (STI). This refers to a group of infections that can be spread from one person to another through sexual contact. Treatment of STDs depends on the type of infection. HIV, Herpes, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HPV are caused by viruses. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are bacterial infections, and trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection.

STDs are common, and it is possible to have an STD and not realize it. Symptoms of STDs can vary- some people might experience significant symptoms, and others might not have any symptoms at all. Even if people do not feel any symptoms, they can still spread STDs. This is why STD testing is so important.

Early detection is essential for STD treatment. If you think you may have been exposed to an STD, or if you simply want to get tested, then the Basic STD Panel could be a good option for you. This panel looks for HIV, syphilis, herpes (HSV1 & HSV 2), gonorrhea, and chlamydia. If you are interested in testing for additional STDs, you should consider the Comprehensive STD Panel, the Comprehensive STD Plus Panel, or the Comprehensive STD Premium Panel.

Please note that for gonorrhea and/or chlamydia testing, it is recommended that customers not urinate within one hour prior to providing a specimen.  Females also should not cleanse the genital area prior to providing a specimen.

The Nutritional Panel includes a variety of tests that can help you determine if you are getting enough nutrition.   This panel can also help rule out adrenal gland disorders and malnutrition.   It is commonly ordered by doctors before surgery or for patients who are hospitalized or chronically ill.

The Nutritional Panel also includes a CBC, which measures important parameters of the cellular makeup of your blood that can  reveal anemia, signs of infection or other factors that may cause fatigue; a CMP, which analyzes electrolytes, sugar, proteins, and enzymes including sodium, potassium, calcium, glucose and liver/kidney function tests; and an Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity – which measures the amount of iron in your blood.

The Breast Cancer Monitoring Panel can help your physician monitor breast cancer treatment and therapy.

Both the CA 15‐3 and CA 27.29 are proteins that are normally produced by breast cells. In persons with breast cancer, the levels can increase. The protein amounts can rise with breast cancer tumor growth and fall with treatment.

The carcinoembryonic antigen is a protein that may be present in people with cancer, including breast cancer.   The CEA Test measures the amount of this protein in your blood. CEA is normally detected in healthy adults, but at a certain range (see below Normal Range).

These three tests can also help your physician offer a more accurate prognosis (or prediction of your health).

The Micronutrient Test is designed to provide a deeper understanding of your long-term, functional nutrient status that goes beyond a standard blood test.  Rather than measuring the nutrient levels in your bloodstream, the test evaluates whether enough nutrients are actually entering your cells so they can function optimally.  This approach may uncover subtle deficiencies that exist in spite of a healthy diet and normal results on basic lab tests.  

A Micronutrient Test may be particularly useful if you are experiencing symptoms like chronic fatigue or frequent illness despite normal serum nutrient levels.  This test may also be the right choice to help you optimize your nutritional status as part of an overall fitness routine or weight loss plan.  The results can help you to focus your diet and supplement regimen on the nutrients your cells need most.

The  Lipids  Panel  can  determine  if  you  have  abnormal  cholesterol  or  triglyceride  levels.  These  are important because they can also help you and your doctor determine if you’re at risk for heart disease or other coronary (heart) illnesses.

Cholesterol is fat that is produced by the liver. It can also be obtained from foods like cheeseburgers, pizza, etc. There are two kinds of cholesterol – the good and the bad.

1. High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) = Good cholesterol.
2. Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) = Bad cholesterol.

Even if you are feeling well, routine lab testing is an important part of maintaining your health. If you are looking for a general overview of your health but you are not sure where to start, the Comprehensive Female Wellness Panel could be a good option for you. It consists of 11 tests that provide valuable information about your blood counts, kidney and liver function, electrolytes, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, thyroid function, and hormone levels. This panel is ideal for women of all ages who want to take control of their health. 

Even if you are feeling well, routine lab testing is an important part of maintaining your health. If you are looking for a general overview of your health but you are not sure where to start, the Comprehensive Male Wellness Panel could be a good option for you. It consists of 8 tests that provide valuable information about your blood counts, kidney and liver function, electrolytes, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, thyroid function, prostate health, and hormone levels. This panel is ideal for men of all ages who want to take control of their health. 

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an inappropriate immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, and related dietary protein barley and rye. Celiac disease antibody tests help diagnose and monitor the disease. The antibodies being tested are IgA and Tissue Tranglutaminase (tTG) antibody (IgA).

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver; it can also be obtained from the foods you eat, like meat, dairy products, etc. High cholesterol is also known as “hyperlipidemia”. Having high cholesterol can increase your risk of stroke and heart disease. 

High cholesterol can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications. Sometimes, the medications used to treat high cholesterol can cause liver issues. Although this is not a common side effect, healthcare providers may still want to monitor liver function in their patients who take cholesterol medication.

The Cholesterol Medication Maintenance Panel is ideal for someone who is taking cholesterol medication, or for someone who needs to have their cholesterol and liver function checked on a routine basis.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects your blood sugar levels. With diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly, or it does not make enough insulin.

Insulin is made in the pancreas. It helps the sugar (glucose) from food enter your cells, so it can be used for energy. If your body does not make enough insulin- or if it does not use insulin properly- the sugar (glucose) stays in your blood and does not reach your cells.

There are 2 types of diabetes- type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin as well as it should. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin. 

The Diabetes Maintenance Panel consists of 4 tests that provide valuable information to help you and your healthcare provider monitor your diabetes treatment.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also known as sexually transmitted infections (STI). This refers to a group of infections that can be spread from one person to another through sexual contact. Treatment of STDs depends on the type of infection. HIV, Herpes, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HPV are caused by viruses. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are bacterial infections, and trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection.

STDs are common, and it is possible to have an STD and not realize it. Symptoms of STDs can vary- some people might experience significant symptoms, and others might not have any symptoms at all. Even if people do not feel any symptoms, they can still spread STDs. This is why STD testing is so important.

Early detection is essential for STD treatment. If you think you may have been exposed to an STD, or if you simply want to get tested, then the Comprehensive STD Panel could be a good option for you. This panel looks for HIV, syphilis, herpes (HSV1 & HSV 2), gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. If you are interested in testing for additional STDs, you should consider the Comprehensive STD Plus Panel, or the Comprehensive STD Platinum Panel.

Please note that for gonorrhea and/or chlamydia testing, it is recommended that customers not urinate within one hour prior to providing a specimen.  Females also should not cleanse the genital area prior to providing a specimen.

Testosterone is a male hormone that helps to maintain bone density, fat distribution, muscle strength and mass, red blood cell production, sex drive and sperm production.  As men age, levels of testosterone naturally decline by about 1% per year after age 30. Extremely low levels of testosterone may be caused by a disease (hypogonadism) in which the body isn’t able to produce enough of the hormone because of a problem with the testicles or the pituitary gland which promotes testosterone production.

THESE 5 TESTS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS PANEL:

1. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
2. Total T4
3. Free T4
4. Free T3
5. Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO)

WHAT DOES THE THYROID GLAND DO?

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating how your body uses energy through the production of hormones critical to proper cell and system functioning.

There are three main hormones in the thyroid system that should be balanced:

1. TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is the most important of the hormones in the thyroid system, this stimulates or acts on the thyroid gland, telling it how much of the actual thyroid hormones need to be made.
2. T4: Hormone is produced by the thyroid and travels throughout the body and is converted into T3.
3. T3: The active form of T4.  This is the hormone that goes into the cells and controls their function throughout the body.

A thyroid hormone panel screens for thyroid function and can help diagnose potential thyroid disease by examining your body’s production, levels, or usage of the different thyroid hormones.  There are two types of thyroid and thyroid hormone-related disorders:

1. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) – symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, a short attention span, and numbness or cold intolerance.
2. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) – symptoms may include weight loss, persistent vomiting, increased blood pressure, hair loss, or a persistently fast heart rate.

WHY DO I NEED THIS TEST?

If there is a thyroid level imbalance in your body, you may be more susceptible to everything from osteoporosis and heart disease to infertility and fatigue.

Thyroid disorders are more common in women and they often occur with changes in other hormone levels, such as with pregnancy or with older age.