Good Health…A Lifetime Investment
Yes, you can be proactive in helping to maintain your overall health. Eating properly, exercising regularly, maintaining your
ideal weight, reducing daily stressors, and being a nonsmoker are just a few ways that you can impact your health. In addition,
laboratory blood tests are an important component-along with your history and a physical .examination—that assist your physician
in determining wellness or diagnosing disease.
Why An Overnight Fast?
Many blood tests require an individual to fast overnight to ensure accurate test results. An overnight fast means nothing to eat or
drink, except water, for 12-16 hours after an evening meal. The blood tests are then compared to a “reference range” which has
been statistically established from normal (healthy), fasting individuals. An “” indicates tests affected by nonfasting.
Other Factors Affecting Test Results
Some medications-prescription and non-prescription drugs (aspirins, cold medications, vitamins, etc.), alcohol intake, and
eating within 8 to 12 hours before having blood drawn can affect test results.
This information is not to be used for diagnosis. It is designed to provide sufficient information for you to understand the
usefulness of these tests and be able to discuss the significance of your test results with your physician. Please remember that
your physician can best interpret your test results.
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Albumin
Albumin, made in the liver, is the major protein of the blood
helping to maintain osmotic pressure (keeping water) in
blood vessels and transporting substances. Decreased
albumin levels can be associated with malnutrition, liver
disease, and kidney disease. The A/G Ratio is a calculation
of the relationship between two types of protein, albumin and
globulin.
Alkaline Phosphatase
Bone and liver are primary adult body sites of this enzyme.
Alkaline Phosphatase levels are very useful in evaluating
liver and bone disease. Levels of alkaline phosphatase in
children (due to increased bone growth), pregnant women,
and older patients are normally higher.
Bilirubin - Total & Direct
As red blood cells normally age and break down, bilirubin (a
by-product) is released into the blood and is normally
cleared by the liver. High bilirubin values may indicate a
liver function problem, bile duct blockage, or excessive
destruction of red blood cells.
(BUN) Blood Urea Nitrogen
BUN is a waste product produced by the liver and excreted
by the kidneys. An elevated BUN level may be caused by
various kidney diseases, urinary tract obstruction, or highprotein diet.
Calcium
Calcium, the body's most important mineral, is primarily
found in the bones. The calcium in blood is necessary for
many important bodily functions, including muscle
contraction, blood clotting, bone formation, conduction
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of nerve impulses, and parathyroid gland activity.
Abnormal levels may be associated with bone diseases; or
excess intake of antacid, calcium-rich foods (milk), and
Vitamin D.
Chloride
Chloride, an electrolyte, is involved in maintaining the
normal amount of water and acid-base balance in body fluids.
Your physician will interpret the significance of low or
elevated levels in relation to other electrolytes (especially
sodium and potassium).
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, a soft, fat-like substance, is necessary for proper
body function. 'Lipoproteins' serve as packages in
transporting cholesterol in the blood. Major forms are highdensity lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins
(LDL). Cholesterol can build up in artery walls (narrowing or
blocking arteries) causing atherosclerosis, the condition
responsible for 97% of heart attacks. For most individuals, the
“optimal” cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL.
Cholesterol - HDL
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), a fat and protein
combination, is often considered “good cholesterol” as it
carries cholesterol away from blood vessels to the liver, and
is then excreted from the body. Research indicates that high
levels of HDL are linked with lower risk of heart and artery
disease.