adrenal complete

This test measures cholesterol levels in peritoneal dialysate fluid, the fluid used during peritoneal dialysis treatment for kidney disease. Cholesterol in dialysate can indicate peritoneal membrane problems or nutritional issues in dialysis patients. While not a standard screening test for cardiovascular risk, it provides information specific to dialysis adequacy and peritoneal membrane function. Elevated levels may suggest membrane changes or metabolic complications.

Sodium (Na+) is an essential electrolyte measured primarily in blood serum or plasma. It plays a critical role in fluid balance, nerve impulse transmission, and muscle contraction. Serum sodium is one of the most commonly ordered laboratory tests, included in both the Basic and Comprehensive Metabolic Panels. Abnormal levels indicate conditions ranging from dehydration and kidney disease to hormonal imbalances. Sodium can also be measured in urine (to evaluate renal sodium handling) and stool (to differentiate causes of diarrhea).

This test measures iron concentration in liver tissue, typically obtained through biopsy. Liver iron assessment is used to diagnose and monitor hemochromatosis (iron overload) and cirrhosis. Elevated liver iron indicates excessive iron accumulation, which damages the liver and other organs, causing fibrosis, cirrhosis, and increased disease risk. Iron measurement helps distinguish iron-related liver disease from other causes and guides chelation or phlebotomy treatment.

This test measures glucose concentration in peritoneal dialysate fluid, the solution used during peritoneal dialysis for kidney failure. Glucose naturally diffuses from the dialysate into the bloodstream during treatment, and measuring residual glucose helps assess dialysate dwell time and treatment effectiveness. Changes in dialysate glucose levels can indicate peritoneal membrane changes or absorption problems affecting dialysis adequacy and treatment outcomes.

Chloride is an electrolyte essential for fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle function. This test measures chloride in peritoneal fluid (fluid around abdominal organs), which helps evaluate conditions affecting the abdomen such as peritonitis, ascites, or organ dysfunction. Abnormal chloride levels in peritoneal fluid can indicate infection, inflammation, or metabolic disturbances requiring medical attention.

Potassium is a vital electrolyte that regulates heart rhythm, muscle function, and fluid balance. Blood potassium testing is one of the most commonly ordered laboratory tests, included in both the Basic and Comprehensive Metabolic Panels. Hypokalemia (low potassium) can result from diuretic use, vomiting, or diarrhea and may cause muscle weakness, cramps, and dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. Hyperkalemia (high potassium) may result from kidney disease, certain medications (ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics), or tissue damage. Both extremes require prompt clinical intervention due to life-threatening cardiac risks.

Magnesium is a mineral essential for muscle function, energy production, and nerve signaling. A 24-hour urine magnesium test measures how much magnesium your body excretes, helping assess magnesium status and kidney function. Low urinary magnesium may indicate deficiency or malabsorption, while high levels could suggest excessive losses or dietary overload. This test is useful for evaluating muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and metabolic concerns.

Globulins are proteins produced by the immune system and liver that function in immunity and nutrient transport. When measured in body fluids, globulin levels help assess immune function and protein status in specific body compartments. Elevated globulins in fluids like cerebrospinal or peritoneal fluid may indicate infection, inflammation, or immune-related conditions, while low levels could suggest nutritional deficiency or immune suppression.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) in blood, measured as bicarbonate, is crucial for acid-base balance and respiration. This test assesses how well your lungs remove CO2 and how well your kidneys regulate acid balance. Elevated CO2 suggests respiratory problems or metabolic alkalosis, while low CO2 may indicate hyperventilation or metabolic acidosis. Results help diagnose breathing disorders, kidney disease, and serious metabolic imbalances affecting multiple organ systems.

Albumin is a protein produced by the liver and normally found in very small amounts in body fluids like urine. Microalbumin testing detects trace levels of albumin in urine that aren't visible on standard tests. The presence of albumin in urine—called albuminuria—is an early warning sign of kidney damage. This can result from diabetes, high blood pressure, or other kidney disease. Regular albumin screening helps detect kidney problems before significant damage occurs, allowing for early intervention and management to slow or prevent progression.

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscle metabolism and filtered by the kidneys into urine. This test measures creatinine in an 8-hour urine collection and reflects kidney filtration function. Creatinine levels help assess kidney health and are often used to calculate glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which indicates how well your kidneys filter waste. Low creatinine output may suggest reduced muscle mass or kidney disease, while the ratio of protein to creatinine helps assess kidney protein loss. This test is frequently ordered in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, or known kidney disease.

Bilirubin is a yellowish compound produced when your body breaks down old red blood cells. When measured in pericardial fluid (fluid around the heart), elevated bilirubin can indicate liver disease, hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), or bile duct obstruction. It can also reflect pericardial inflammation or infection. This specialized test helps diagnose serious cardiac and metabolic conditions affecting the tissue surrounding your heart.

Calcium is an essential mineral critical for bone health, muscle function, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. This test measures calcium levels in serum or plasma, reflecting overall calcium balance in the body. About 99% of calcium is stored in bones, while the remaining 1% circulates in the blood and is tightly regulated. Abnormal serum calcium may indicate parathyroid disorders, vitamin D deficiency, kidney disease, or certain malignancies. Both hypocalcemia (low calcium) and hypercalcemia (high calcium) can cause serious symptoms including muscle cramps, cardiac arrhythmias, and neurological changes.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in bones, liver, and intestines. It plays a role in bone formation and bile production. This test measures ALP levels to assess bone metabolism and liver function. Elevated ALP can indicate bone disease (osteoporosis, fractures, or Paget's disease), liver disease, or bile duct obstruction. Low levels are less common but may suggest nutritional deficiencies or genetic conditions. ALP is often part of routine health screening or organ function assessment.

Urea nitrogen in urine reflects protein metabolism and kidney function. This test, typically performed on 12-hour or 24-hour urine collections, measures how much nitrogen from protein breakdown is excreted daily. Abnormal levels can indicate dietary protein intake changes, kidney disease, liver dysfunction, or metabolic disorders. The test helps assess protein metabolism, evaluate kidney function, and monitor nutritional status in patients with various metabolic or renal conditions.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is an androgen hormone produced by the adrenal glands. A 24-hour urine test measures total DHEA-S excretion, reflecting adrenal hormone production. DHEA-S levels naturally decline with age and can indicate adrenal insufficiency or dysfunction if abnormally low, or adrenal tumors or excess androgen production if abnormally high. This test helps evaluate adrenal gland function, hormonal imbalances, and conditions affecting hormone metabolism.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme found primarily in liver and muscle cells. When cells are damaged, AST leaks into the bloodstream where it can be measured. Elevated AST suggests liver damage from hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, or alcohol use, but can also reflect muscle injury from trauma, intense exercise, or heart attack. AST is typically ordered alongside other liver enzymes (ALT, alkaline phosphatase) to assess liver function. Moderate elevations may be temporary and benign, but persistent elevation requires investigation to identify the underlying cause.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found primarily in liver cells that leaks into the bloodstream when liver tissue is damaged or inflamed. This blood test measures ALT levels to assess liver health and detect conditions like hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, or medication-related liver injury. Elevated ALT typically indicates liver damage or disease, while normal levels suggest the liver is functioning properly. ALT is often part of routine health screening and is essential for monitoring patients taking medications known to affect the liver.

This test detects IgE antibodies against brewer's yeast proteins, indicating a potential yeast allergy. Brewer's yeast is used in fermented foods and beverages including beer, wine, and some breads. A positive result suggests you may experience allergic symptoms—ranging from mild itching or hives to gastrointestinal symptoms—after consuming yeast-containing foods. This test helps identify yeast as an allergy trigger, useful for those with suspected yeast sensitivity.

This advanced test measures the proportion of cholesterol carried by HDL 3c, a specific subtype of HDL (good cholesterol). HDL particles vary in size and density; larger HDL particles are considered more protective against heart disease. By analyzing the cholesterol distribution within HDL subclasses, this test provides detailed insight into the quality of your HDL, which may offer a more nuanced picture of cardiovascular risk than standard HDL testing alone.

Aldosterone is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands that regulates salt and water balance, which directly affects blood pressure. This test measures aldosterone levels in your blood. Elevated aldosterone can cause high blood pressure and low potassium levels, potentially indicating primary aldosteronism (Conn's syndrome) or secondary hyperaldosteronism from kidney disease or heart failure. Low aldosterone may suggest adrenal insufficiency.

This test measures free and weakly bound testosterone adjusted for sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels, providing a more accurate picture of biologically active testosterone than total testosterone alone. SHBG binds testosterone in the blood, reducing its availability to tissues. By accounting for SHBG, this calculation better reflects the testosterone your body can actually use. This is particularly useful for evaluating symptoms of hormone imbalance in both men and women, including fatigue, mood changes, sexual function, and muscle mass.

This test identifies specific mutations in the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene from blood or tissue samples. EGFR mutations are commonly found in certain lung cancers and can determine which targeted therapies will be most effective. Different mutations respond differently to specific medications called EGFR inhibitors. Testing for EGFR mutations is crucial for cancer patients to guide treatment selection, predict drug response, and optimize outcomes. This genetic information helps oncologists personalize cancer treatment plans.

This urine test measures the ratio of albumin to globulin proteins. Albumin is normally filtered minimally by healthy kidneys, while globulin appears in urine in very small amounts. An elevated albumin-to-globulin ratio in urine may indicate early kidney damage or diabetes-related kidney disease. Proteinuria (excess urinary protein) is an early warning sign of kidney dysfunction and cardiovascular risk. Monitoring this ratio helps track kidney health and response to treatment for diabetes or hypertension.

Urine cortisol measurement detects the presence of cortisol, a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. This qualitative screening test is used to identify abnormal cortisol production, particularly in suspected Cushing's syndrome (excess cortisol) or adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol). Cortisol regulates blood pressure, glucose, and immune function, so abnormal levels can cause significant health effects. 24-hour urine cortisol is often ordered to confirm results from other cortisol tests.

This test measures the proportion of cholesterol in HDL 3a particles relative to total HDL cholesterol. HDL subfractions—including the smaller HDL 3a particles—have different cardiovascular protective effects. HDL 3a particles are generally smaller and less cardioprotective than larger HDL 2 particles. This ratio provides insight into HDL quality and particle composition, which may offer additional cardiovascular risk assessment beyond traditional HDL cholesterol levels.

Non-HDL cholesterol represents all cholesterol particles except beneficial HDL cholesterol, including LDL and other atherogenic particles that contribute to plaque buildup in arteries. Unlike total cholesterol, non-HDL is considered a better predictor of cardiovascular risk because it measures the 'bad' cholesterol more accurately. Elevated non-HDL cholesterol increases risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly in people with high triglycerides or metabolic syndrome. Managing non-HDL through diet, exercise, and sometimes medication is important for heart health.

EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is a gene that, when mutated, can drive certain lung cancers and other malignancies. This test analyzes blood or tissue samples for specific EGFR mutations. Detecting these mutations is critical for patients with non-small cell lung cancer because it determines eligibility for targeted therapy drugs (like erlotinib or gefitinib) that specifically block the mutated EGFR protein. These targeted treatments are often more effective and better tolerated than traditional chemotherapy. This is a molecular diagnostic test that informs personalized cancer treatment strategies.

This panel measures two hormones—aldosterone and renin—that work together to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance. Aldosterone is produced by the adrenal glands and increases sodium and water retention; renin is produced by the kidneys and activates this system. Abnormal ratios may indicate primary hyperaldosteronism (excess aldosterone), secondary hyperaldosteronism (from kidney or heart disease), or adrenal insufficiency. This test is typically ordered when evaluating resistant hypertension, persistent low potassium, or suspected adrenal disorders.

This test calculates the ratio between LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' kind that builds up in arteries) and HDL cholesterol (the 'good' kind that protects your heart). Rather than looking at each individually, this ratio provides a comprehensive picture of your cardiovascular risk. A lower ratio is healthier, indicating better heart protection. This metric is often considered more predictive of heart disease risk than LDL or HDL levels alone, making it valuable for assessing overall cardiovascular health.

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein produced by the liver that binds and transports sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) throughout your body. SHBG levels affect how much hormone is freely available for your body to use. Low SHBG is associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and increased cardiovascular risk, while elevated levels may indicate liver disease or certain medications. This test helps evaluate hormonal balance and metabolic health.

This test measures the amount of cholesterol carried specifically by LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particles, the 'bad' cholesterol that can accumulate in artery walls. Unlike standard LDL tests, this advanced method directly measures LDL cholesterol separately from other similar particles, providing a more accurate assessment. Elevated LDL cholesterol is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke. This test helps guide treatment decisions and monitor the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering therapies.

This test measures the ratio of aldosterone to renin, two hormones that regulate blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Aldosterone is produced by the adrenal glands, while renin is produced by the kidneys. An elevated aldosterone-to-renin ratio suggests primary hyperaldosteronism, a condition causing high blood pressure and potassium loss. This test is typically performed when someone has hypertension resistant to medication or unexplained low potassium. Identifying hyperaldosteronism is important because it requires specific treatment approaches.

This test detects IgE antibodies against egg white allergens in your blood. Egg allergy is common in children but can persist into adulthood. Reactions range from oral itching and hives to gastrointestinal symptoms and anaphylaxis in severe cases. A positive test confirms egg allergy and guides dietary avoidance of eggs and egg-containing products. Note that some individuals can tolerate cooked eggs (where proteins are altered) even if they react to raw eggs, so reactions may vary by food form.

This test calculates the ratio of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to creatinine, both waste products filtered by the kidneys. The ratio helps distinguish different causes of abnormal kidney function. A high ratio may suggest dehydration, excessive protein breakdown, or reduced kidney blood flow, while a low ratio can indicate liver disease or malnutrition. This ratio is more informative than either value alone in determining kidney dysfunction patterns.

GFR measures how efficiently your kidneys filter waste from blood, expressed as milliliters of filtrate per minute. It's calculated using creatinine levels adjusted for age, sex, and body size. GFR is the most accurate indicator of kidney function, with different stages indicating mild, moderate, or severe kidney disease. Even small declines in GFR can signal progressive kidney disease requiring monitoring and lifestyle modifications to slow progression.