Did You Know Blood Tests Can Help Manage Your Weight Loss?
A blood test offers insight into biological processes and body functioning that can contribute to difficulty with weight management. Walk-in Labs offers a blood test for weight loss that assesses the functioning of many of the body’s mechanisms that control weight loss and weight gain.
The weight management panel includes the following.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14)
• Complete Blood Count With Differential and Plateletts (CBC)
• Lipid Profile
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Sulfate
• Testosterone Total
• Progesterone Blood Test
• Estradiol
• C-Reactive Protein Cardiac Risk Assessment
• Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)
• Thyroxine (T4) Free Serum
• Tri-iodothyronine (T3) Free Serum
• Homocyst(e)ine
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14)
The CMP-14 includes 14 different blood tests that all relate to the metabolic processes in the body. It includes a glucose test that can detect the presence of diabetes, a disease highly related to obesity. The panel also includes tests that measure both kidney and liver functioning. These vital organs filter out proteins and waste products that are produced during the metabolizing process. Fluids, electrolytes, and minerals in the blood are also measured. If the body is low on fluids or electrolytes the metabolic process slows down, leading to potential weight gain or trouble losing weight. You can order a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) online without insurance or a doctor’s prescription.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A CBC blood test measures the balance and concentration of white and red blood cells and platelets in the blood. If the blood cells are not in balance the body cannot function optimally, which may cause weight gain. The CBC can also test for anemia, a condition caused by low levels of iron in the blood. This can lead to extreme fatigue and a decrease in amount of energy being burned by the body.
Lipid Profile
The lipid blood test is used to measure cholesterol types and levels. The levels of “good” versus “bad” cholesterols are important in determining risk of heart disease. Bad cholesterol can build in the arteries of the heart making it more likely for a blood clot to completely block off the artery causing a heart attack. Risk of heart disease can be decreased with diet and exercise. Lipid profile levels should change with weight loss.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Sulfate
DHEA Sulfate is present in both men and women and works as a male sex hormone. It is important in the development of male secondary sex characteristics. When DHEA is metabolized it can be transformed into testosterone, another male hormone, or estrogen, a female hormone. Hormones play an important part in maintaining weight; and if there is an excess of DHEA in the blood, there is most likely a problem with the metabolizing process.
Testosterone Total
A testosterone test can assess the level of masculinization in men and women. Obesity can negatively affect levels of testosterone in men. If women have too much testosterone in their blood, the hormone can affect their ability to lose weight.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that women produce during ovulation. The levels increase during this time to prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg. One can expect progesterone levels to be ten time higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women. However, high levels of progesterone in men or in women who are not pregnant can stall weight loss and also have more serious health implications, such as being at a higher risk for certain types of cancer.
Estradiol
An estradiol test is an important blood test for weight loss. Estradiol is a hormone produced in the ovary and helps in the development of female secondary sex characteristics. A lack of estradiol has been shown to increase food craving and overeating while reducing the body’s ability to burn fat.
C-Reactive Protein Cardiac
C-reactive is a type of protein found in the blood. The C-reactive protein cardiac blood test provides information on the overall level of inflammation in the body and is most often used to test for risk of heart disease. A high level of C-reactive protein in the blood is usually seen in conjunction with other heart disease risks, such as obesity and metabolic problems. Losing weight will usually lower C-reactive protein levels. Order a CRP Blood Test online.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4) Free Serum, Tri-Iodothyronine (T3) Free Serum
These three blood tests are for thyroid function assessment. The thyroid is a gland that that regulates the metabolic system. When people are having weight problems, one of the medical steps is to order a thyroid panel. Hyperthyroidism, where the gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone, can cause weight loss or an inability to gain weight. Hypothyroidism, where the thyroid gland is less active, can cause weight gain or an inability to lose weight.
Homocysteine
This blood test is used to measure risk of heart attack and other heart related problems. Homocysteine, an amino acid, is metabolized by folic acid and vitamin B6 and B12. If the amino acid is not metabolized and stays in the blood, then the body is at a higher risk of heart problems. Eating a healthy and well balanced diet can help the body have the nutrients it needs for the metabolizing process.
