COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY TO STANDARD BLOOD TESTS

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1 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 doctor s instructions to the laboratory. (In alphabetical order) ALBUMIN - indicates blood vessel condition and fluid pressure. High: dehydration, protein gram overload or absorption, hypothyroidism. Low: starvation/malnutrition, too much water in the body, liver/kidney problems, vitamin C deficiency, hyperthyroidism, and heavy aspirin use. 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: anemia, protein malnutrition, possible diabetic ketosis, or colitis. ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE - Indicates how the liver is utilizing protein and fats, and ph balance. (an enzyme found essentially in bone & liver.) High: possible decalcification of bone, tendency toward arthritis, bone cell conditions, insufficient calcium/phosphorus, could relate to certain medications, bile duct obstruction, or alcohol related. Low: protein malnutrition, vitamin C, folic acid, and zinc deficiency, possible hypoglycemia. ALT- ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE - (a/k/a SGPT) - an enzyme related to liver health. High: vitamin A and/or C deficiency, high fat diet, possible allergies, acute pancreatitis, alcohol and drug related, liver dysfunction including acute viral hepatitis. Low: indicates poor vitamin B-6 and copper, excessive exercise. AST - ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE (a/k/a SGOT) an enzyme associated with the heart, and skeletal muscle, and liver tissue. Acts as a catalyst in amino acid metabolism during glycolysis, with resultant energy release. An indicator of estrogen imbalance & of degenerative processes. High: allergies, vitamin E deficiency, arthritic in nature, liver complications, heart or muscle problems. Low: vitamin B-6 and magnesium deficiency. BILIRUBIN, DIRECT - the most sensitive test for liver function/dysfunction. High: possible problem with liver cells, disease. BILIRUBIN, TOTAL - The yellow pigment in blood plasma or serum; a function of the infection control system. Fasting can cause a slight increase in total bilirubin. High: fat malabsorption & increased risk of cardiovascular disease, possible lymphatic problems, vitamin C deficiency; potential liver disease or jaundice. Low: iron deficiency, anemia, vitamin B-12, C, and copper deficiency. 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 (e.g., stones), low vitamin A, C, and/or E, potassium, abnormal blood loss Low: protein malnutrition, heavy smoking, tendency toward diabetes. BUN/CREATININE RATIO - relates to kidney removal of water, protein, and tissue residue. High: high protein, low water intake, indicates a tendency toward gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, calcium loss from bone & calcification of soft tissue, low calcium/phosphorous ratio. Low: low protein/high carbohydrate diet, deficiency of anti-diuretic hormone (using a diuretic?). CALCIUM - about bone metabolism: the most important element in the body. Maintains cardiac regularity & is required for muscle relaxation & contraction; necessary for enzyme production; growth and development of teeth, bones, & resistance to infection. High: excessive intake of milk, protein, antacids, or alcohol, bone disorders, possibility of calcium not being absorbed, lack of exercise or sufficient bed rest. Possible parathyroid gland malfunction. Low: Malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency. Dr. Sean Stringer, DC, DPSc

2 CHLORIDE - indicates 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 malfunction, magnesium deficiency. 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: indicates muscle breakdown to supply protein, high ingestion of meats, kidney distress. Low: over stress to kidney (heavy coffee, tea, alcohol), too much vitamin C, compulsive exercise. FERRITIN - It acts as a buffer against iron deficiency and iron overload: serves to store iron in a non-toxic form, to deposit it in a safe form, and to transport it to areas that it is required. The serum ferritin level correlates with total body iron stores; the most sensitive lab test for iron deficiency anemia. High: iron is in excess. acute malnourishment, infection, anoxia or cancer; hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis and porphryia. As ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant, it is often elevated in the course of disease. Low: risk for lack of iron, which could lead to anemia; may also indicate hypothyroidism or vitamin C deficiency. Has been connected to ADHD in children, specifically, the lower the iron level, the more severe the ADHD symptoms; associated with the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, even in the absence of anemia and sickness. GAMMA-GLUTAMYL TRANSPEPTIDASE (GGT) - an enzyme found mainly in the liver, kidney, pancreas, & heart. High: liver & pancreatic disease, myocardial infarction, possible liver congestion, infection, sensitive to alcohol and certain drugs GFR EST (egfr) Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimated Indicates kidneys health. A calculation of the actual glomerular filtration rate. The formula includes your age, gender, height and weight; race may also be used in the calculation. A value over 60 is preferred. Low: Indicates level of damage: = early stages; = moderate damage; 5-29 = severe damage; < 15 = kidney failure. GLOBULIN - Essential to the antibody-antigen response; needed to fight infections; important in blood clotting. Valuable in assessing degenerative and infectious processes High: allergy, a sign of arthritis. Low: low protein digestion, infection related. GLUCOSE - measures blood sugar levels, the body s chief source of energy. It affects all organs, systems and tissues. It determines the acid/alkaline balance (ph). This, in turn, affects your behavior and body weight. Fasting or not fasting affects test levels. 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 -. Used to screen for & diagnose diabetes in addition to monitoring the glucose control of diabetics over time. Provides an accurate long-term index ( days) of the average glucose levels prior to the blood test. Below 6.0 is desirable. High: hyperglycemic & tendency toward diabetes. Note: The following tests, Iron, Iron Binding Capacity, and Iron (Transferrin) Percent Saturation are looked at together to assess the body's iron level and utilization. IRON - critical to red blood cell s ability to carry oxygen & remove carbon dioxide, helps to remove toxin residue from cells. High: deficient in vitamin E, B-6, folic acid and copper, iron overload, hemocromatosis. Low: anemia, protein malnutrition, causes fever, lack of energy, diminished body functions. IRON BINDING CAPACITY, TOTAL (TIBC) - measures the blood's capacity to bind iron. IRON BINDING CAPACITY, UNSATURATED (UIBC) About 1/3 rd of your blood s transferrin is always working to transport iron. That leaves considerable extra iron-binding capacity known as Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity, or UIBC. When we add the amount of transferrin and the UIBC we get the Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC). Some laboratories will measure UIBC, some TIBC, and some just transferrin. IRON PERCENT SATURATION (See TRANSFERRIN) - relates to iron overload, hemocromatosis. It compares the amount of iron in the blood stream to the capacity of the red blood cells to transport iron. 2

3 LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE (LDH) - Indicates blood acidity & balance of water with sugar; how sugar gets into the cell, functions as a catalyst in carbohydrate metabolism High: diabetic tendency, strenuous exercise, alcohol related, present in myocardial infarction & pulmonary conditions. Low: hypoglycemia tendency, possible edema, fatigue. MAGNESIUM - critical to smooth muscle function, including heart, gastrointestinal tract and uterus; helps regulate acidalkaline (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. Regulates body temperature. High: infection Low: malnutrition, alcoholism, and excessive use of diuretics. PHOSPHATE, INORGANIC - helps maintain tissue acidity & aids in bone formation, also complements & facilitates calcium usage. High: hyperthyroidism, alcoholism, bone disorder, blood disorders, non-fasting effect. Low: stress related, chronic infection, low energy, & reduced immunity. POTASSIUM - essential to heart & kidney function and the maintenance of ph of both blood & urine. It maintains regular heart rate and muscle force thus helps to prevents heart and general muscle fatigue. 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 - Necessary for tissue function, growth, & repair. Also fluid balance & protection against infection. Key building block of the human body, it cannot be made from carbohydrates or fats. Used to make 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, and zinc deficiency. SODIUM - 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, fluid imbalance and lack of physical activity. Low: lack of trace minerals, loss of fluids & loss of sodium in diarrhea or vomit. URIC ACID - end product of protein utilization. Meat (esp. liver, kidneys), shellfish, and beans are high in uric acid. High: gout, incomplete protein assimilation relates to rich foods, alcohol, stress, restaurant food, and high protein weight loss diets, high folic acid diet 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 TOTAL IRON-BINDING CAPACITY (TIBC) - measures the blood's capacity to bind iron. TRANSFERRIN -- a molecule used to move iron around your body. It catches iron and can release it very easily. Although iron bound to transferrin is less than 0.1% of the total body iron, it is the most important iron pool. The affinity of transferrin for iron is extremely high (at ph 7.4) but decreases progressively as the system becomes more acidic. Low: iron deficiency anemia. Levels of serum iron and total iron binding capacity are used in conjunction with transferrin to specify any abnormality. TRANSFERRIN 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. UNSATURATED IRON BINDING CAPACITY (UIBC) see Iron Binding Capacity, Unsaturated. 3

4 AUTOMATED DIFFERENTIAL Ordered as part of a CBC with a diff. This test 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: deficiency of vitamin A, B-6, B-12, folic acid, iron, and copper; excessive toxins, possible bone marrow damage, unbalanced diet, lack of exercise. LYMPH (LYMPHOCYTES: PERCENT) - aids in the destruction and handling of body toxins & 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) - Formed in the spleen and bone marrow they can ingest and digest large bacteria. Relates to normal tissue breakdown by the liver. 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 Hodgkin s disease, a side-effect of digitalis. Low: stress response, fever, side-effect of cortisone. BASO (BASOPHILS: PERCENT) - involved in deep membrane allergies. Relates to the immune response, inflammation, and gastrointestinal tract. 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. The first sign of the defense system breaking down, possibly a weakness in the immune system. COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC) WBC (WHITE BLOOD CELL) - leukocytes, found in bone marrow. Protects body against infection and inflammation. High: potential myocardial infarction, tissue damage, & infection. Low: possible bone marrow depression, inclined to infection. RBC (RED BLOOD CELL) erythrocytes, relates to anemia. Carries oxygen to the cells & carbon dioxide back to the lungs High: hyperactive production (inefficient breakdown or improper production by the liver, spleen, & bone marrow). Low: deficient hormone production or possible nutritional deficiencies, insufficient copper and iron, vegetarian diet with improper protein combining. HEMOGLOBIN (HGB) - relates primarily to the liver & spleen. Indicates the amount of intracellular iron. 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 of hydration, also the spleen denoting the amount of blood cell breakdown. 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) - average volume of many cells. High: macrocytic anemias caused by deficiency in folic acid & vitamin B-12, inherited disorders of DNA synthesis; indicates iron deficiency anemia. 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 volume of hemoglobin in an 4

5 average red cell. Helps distinguish normally colored red cells from paler red cells. RDW (RED BLOOD CELL DISTRIBUTION WIDTH) - indicator of red blood cell size. Extremely large blood cells (width/size) could be anisocytosis. PLATELETS - cells in blood that form clots. High: infection disorders, iron deficiency, consider malignancy. Low: possible bone disease, deficiency of vitamin B-12 & 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 score indicates large platelets. 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, VLDL, and triglycerides. 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 & antibodies, lining of arterial walls. An effective measure of liver function, intestinal absorption, and cardiovascular disease. 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 also serves to assist the transport of fats to your bodily tissues. 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, and 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, and worst, of the blood lipids. The lower the value the better TRIGLYCERIDES - are major building blocks of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and play an important role in metabolism as energy sources and transporters of dietary fat. Fat and liver cells can synthesize and store triglycerides. High: sugar & 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 & stress related, protein malnutrition, excessive use of bran & niacin, low unsaturated fatty acids. Hyperthyroidism. 5

6 THYROID PROFILE T3 (TRI-IODOTHYRONINE) - Amount of binding protein. High: hyperthyroidism, hepatitis, and nephrosis Low: hypothyroidism, pregnancy & by birth control pills. T4 (TETRA-IODOTHYRONINE) - Total circulating hormone. High: hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, birth control pills Low: hypothyroidism, nephrosis and cretinism. FREE T-4 (a/k/a T7 or FTI-FREE THYROXINE INDEX) - Shows the metabolic impact of the hormone. TSH (REFLEX) Messenger from the brain that tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormone. High: hypothyroidism Low: hyperthyroidism. 6